The Pharisees and the Sabbath
Outline | mp3

1 Peter 3:18-22: Christ's Suffering
Outline | mp3

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Gods of This World: Tolerance

Whenever people come together who look differently from one another or who have different beliefs or worldviews, there generally is one of two results: there is either some level of tolerance or there is conflict. History books are full of examples of such conflict, and unfortunately, many such conflicts continue on to this day in many parts of our world.

While tolerance has been a virtue that seemed to be lost on the world for many generations it is present today, especially in America, in force. As the country becomes more and more diverse, with a greater number of differences in ethnicity, religion, language, and culture, emphasis on tolerance has grown stronger and stronger.

Tolerance does not have to be a bad thing. The Bible, in fact, insists on believers in God being tolerant of other people. Racial, ethnic, and class differences should not mean anything to the believer (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11). When believers are confronted with people who disagree with them, even those who act violently against them, they are not to act violently in return, but instead should bless them (1 Peter 3:9). Just as God has not coerced or forced anyone to accept His truth, so believers are not to coerce or force anyone to accept Christianity.

Unfortunately there have been many people who have professed belief in Jesus Christ who acted in ways contrary to these principles. Such people did not act in accordance with God's will and should expect no reward for those sinful actions.

Christianity, therefore, was designed to be a religion that was tolerant of those who rejected it or denied its teachings, trusting that God would render proper judgment in the end (Romans 2:5-11, 12:19-20). If the tolerance espoused by modern American society only insisted that everyone respect the right of others to disagree with them, then we would have no dispute or quarrel. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

"Tolerance" has been made into its own religion in modern America, a god that many serve. Tolerance today goes beyond merely respecting the rights of others to believe as they wish. If we are going to be accepted as "tolerant," we must also accept the viewpoints of others as equally legitimate as our own. The "tolerant" perspective does not chastise or condemn the views of other acceptably "tolerant" persons.

What does this mean? It requires that people not only respect the rights of others to believe differently but to not have any condemnatory view of them. If one believes that homosexuality, for instance, is sinful and condemned by God, such a person cannot be "tolerant," even if he or she bears no ill will toward homosexuals and would never harm a homosexual. The same is true for any who believe that those who practice other religions are committing sin and will be condemned by God, or those who would condemn lasciviousness, other forms of sexual immorality, drug use, etc.

And therein is the great irony of the religion of "tolerance": it is tolerant of only that which it deems to be tolerant, and has little to no patience or toleration for what is deemed "intolerance." Those who are "tolerant" express venom and distaste for those who are "intolerant," and are thus self-condemned!

Ultimately, the modern religion of "tolerance" is guilty of that which it condemns in others. It is no more "tolerant" than that which it deems "intolerant." In the end, while we can respect the rights of others to disagree, some kind of value judgment must be made. Let us not be seduced by the idol of tolerance but instead stand for what God has established. Let us stand firm against sin and declare it to be sin so that we can demonstrate to the world the light and truth of Jesus Christ (cf. John 1:1-14)!

Ethan R. Longhenry

Greetings, everyone.

Peace, mercy, and grace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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This entire experience is beyond surreal.

Ella is doing quite well. She is eating well and responding well to the family. She enjoys being held and does not enjoy not being held at all-- a good sign, all things considered. The kids love Ella and enjoy having a little sister.

Everyone comments on how small she is. Considering the other types of comments that could be made, it's not a bad thing. :)

We ended up having to stay in Florida until yesterday when we finally got the all clear regarding the ICPC process, and that only because our case worker devoted some time on her day off to complete the process.

Thanks to the graciousness of some friends we were able to get into Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom one day earlier in the week. It was a perfect day-- 70s and sunny-- and everyone had a great time. Julianna participated in Belle's story as Mrs. Potts, Maia got to see her favorite princesses, and Nate got to "race" in a car. We also shot some lasers and met Buzz Lightyear. We also went on "It's a Small World." Not normally a major thing, but apparently my parents took me to Walt Disney World back in 1982 or 1983 (when I was about 18 months old), went on that ride, and it got stuck for an hour. This time it did not get stuck, but I could understand the irritating factor. :)

I would like to again thank everyone for their prayers, concern, and well-wishes. Thanks especially to the brethren in Tampa that made us feel at home.

We are now visiting Sarah's aunt just north of Atlanta, Georgia, and intend to keep heading northeast Sunday afternoon and evening. We should be back in Norwalk in the cold and snow on Monday.

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Book reading update.

I read DeWard's reprint of J.W. McGarvey's Jesus and Jonah. We have seen for over two centuries the movement by many away from an acceptance of the Biblical story as fact by many who would still claim to be Christians. Various justifications are attempted in order to explain away the challenges presented by believing some parts of the narrative as written while rejecting others.

McGarvey takes the opportunity in this book to call out such persons to make a decision: wholly accept the narrative as is or wholly reject the narrative as is. He uses the story of Jonah as presented in the book of Jonah along with Jesus' use of the "sign of Jonah" as an indication of the resurrection in Matthew 12, etc.

McGarvey first explores the various arguments made by noted scholars of his day and exposes their inconsistencies and fallacies. He then goes through the narrative of Jonah and demonstrates quite well that it is harder to believe that an Israelite would make up the story than to believe that the events described happened. He concludes with a discussion of the Jewish reckoning of time and how there is no inconsistency between the account of Jesus' death and resurrection and the "sign of Jonah."

McGarvey explains the text well but argues a bit too much on the basis of unsubstantiated inferences. Nevertheless, he makes his argument quite well, and it is an argument that has become no less relevant to the twenty-first century. It is important for us to consider how the New Testament presents itself as conveying historical, actual, substantive events, and the authors thereof believe firmly in the events described in the Old Testament, considering how many wish to divide the "historical Jesus" from the "Christ of faith" and to deny or reject any supernatural event. McGarvey's plea ought to ring out today: accept the Gospel narratives for what they claim to be or entirely reject Jesus as a liar or lunatic-- but you cannot attempt to accept Jesus in faith while rejecting what He said or did.

A great little book for reading and consideration.

I also read Jason Hardin's Hard Core. We live in the midst of a hyper-sexualized society. We are constantly bombarded by messages flaunting sexuality, encouraging lascivious thoughts, and promoting sexuality and sexual fulfillment as the ultimate goal in life. Life is made very difficult for those who would resist and attempt to reflect God's values in this society.

Hardin's Hard Core is a wonderful work of reminder and encouragement to stand up for what is right and true and holy in regards to sexuality. Hardin does well at challenging societal attitudes toward sexuality and the rampant use of pornography, adultery, and general sensuality while strongly affirming the propriety of sexuality and its value in its proper context. Copious Biblical references are cited to warn the reader regarding the dangers of sexual misconduct, to provide examples of sexual immorality committed and refused and their respective consequences, and to encourage believers to focus on making God the ultimate priority of life and not sexuality.

This is a great resource for anyone who is struggling with the idol of sexuality and sensuality in whatever form.

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May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.

ELDV

Brethren,

Greetings.

Peace, mercy, and grace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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I am thankful and humbled by the outpouring of love, concern, prayer, and encouragement for us as we have undergone this experience. I apologize for not updating more often; as things got more interesting the Internet connection was lost and I've been relying on the BlackBerry for most of my communication recently. It's somewhat miraculous that Spiritual Manna has continued to be written and sent out.

Projections for the future are entirely speculative. The necessary ICPC paperwork arrived in Tallahassee today. Whenever Florida approves us to depart the paperwork can be sent to Ohio for approval to enter. Thankfully, Ohio recently streamlined the process by farming out ICPC matters to the county job and family service offices. We have been working with our county office throughout the process, and our caseworker will hopefully expedite the process for us. In all likelihood we will have to remain in Florida for another week at least. Gotta love bureaucracy.

If you would like more consistent updates, find me on Facebook. There are also many pictures there.

Oh, and no, she's not Haitian.

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Those of you who know me have probably perceived that I am not exactly the emotional, subjective, "touchy-feely" type. I tend to be excessively linear-logical, concrete sequential, and rational. My faith, on the whole, is based in that structure, and it has been evident for some time that God is working to break me of the comfortable paradigm.

I say all of that because this process has greatly humbled me and awed me. I have a perpetual fear of ascribing anything to the Almighty or to His Providence lest I be self-deceived and mistook happenstance or what I wanted to see for what God was doing. It's easier for me to analyze than experience, and yet I am experiencing the awesome power of God as it is playing out in our lives. I say that because I cannot ascribe to any other source the way that all of this has taken place.

God's hand was present before any of us knew anything. Ella was born on 18 November 2009 prematurely-- 26 weeks, as far as can be ascertained. Her twin brother died at birth. The birth mother gave birth in the emergency room, and the paramedic who actually delivered the children believed that they both were not viable. It just so happened that about ten minutes after Ella's birth a neonatologist happened to be walking through the ER, saw Ella, and recognized that she was, in fact, viable, and rushed her up to the NICU.

She was only one pound, ten ounces. No one thought that she would make it. And yet she was (and is) a fighter, and she persevered. She is now six pounds ten ounces and, considering all that she has been through, she is doing extremely well.

Sometime between November and February the birth mother decided to put her up for adoption through the same lawyer she had used before. In early February Sarah joined a certain e-mail list for discussions of adoption and adoption circumstances. Not many days later we found out about Ella's situation through that e-mail list. Another family was interested but declined on the basis of medical insurance concerns.

On our end, three hurdles remained-- health coverage potential, credit, and 2009 taxes. All of those got figured out in some way or another. We were the only family interested in Ella. Since she was ready to be discharged from the hospital, we were encouraged to come post haste. After the "snowpocalypse" that was not very apocalyptic, we headed south, driving all day and night on Thursday and Friday, February 11 and 12.

I drove the night shift from Charleston, West Virginia, to just inside Florida on I-95-- about 11 hours or so, including stops. It was crazy driving through the night, especially since there were plenty of deer on both sides of the road in much of South Carolina and Georgia. Yet, the next day, those very areas were hit with a snowstorm, and the delays would have been significant.

Nevertheless, I over-extended myself by driving that long. For the rest of the drive to the Miami area my stomach was churning. When we arrived at the hospital, I went up first. My stomach problem went away as soon as I reached the hospital door.

I knew who Ella was before I was formally introduced to her, and I knew from the start that it was already over. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, that doll would be my daughter!

The big complication was the apnea monitor-- there was no way Ella was going to be released without said monitor. Normally that gets covered by an insurance company, or, barring that, the state, but only for those staying within the state. We could use neither. Yet, thanks to some research done by friends, we were able to find a place that would rent a monitor to us, overnight it to Florida, and we could return it from Ohio.

Our plan had been to go to Miami, get the child rather quickly, and head to Tampa to wait out the ICPC process. We did not intend on the Miami part of the trip lasting six days. In many ways it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave us a chance to explore the Miami area, a place I would otherwise probably never visit, take in the sights, go to the beaches, do some birding, do a little shopping, and send off the days of being a family of five with a bit of style and with time together. It was hectic, and Miami on the whole was an extremely poorly designed city complex with rather uncivil, extremely self-subsumed people. And Miami Beach was full of Jews, and quite the sight on Shabbat. Miami gave me an appreciation for the Midwest, at least in terms of peoples' attitudes toward one another. The weather, however, was quite a bit nicer in Miami than it was in Ohio.

"Gotcha day" was Wednesday, February 17. Even that took longer than intended or expected. But we were able to get out of Miami. We have been staying in a furnished but unoccupied house thanks to the graciousness of some of the brethren in the area, and that circumstance was also one that happened in unexpected but providential ways.

And so now we are here with Ella, getting to know her as she gets to know us, and trying to make the best of the waiting process, visiting friends that we do not get to see often if at all and making the best of the opportunity and "vacation" that we are having.

This has been a major leap of faith for us. We traveled 1200 miles to adopt a child when we had not seen the child or the lawyer. Ella, no doubt, is a miracle baby. Only time will tell if she will experience any physical deficiencies or developmental delays because of being so premature. It certainly involves a lot of risk and we were not unaware of that as we headed south.

And yet I am persuaded, as I have been persuaded throughout the process, that it is the right thing to do. A child was sitting in a NICU in Miami for three months without really having a family. We had the means and the opportunity to do something about that. We did what unprofitable servants do-- their duty (Luke 17:7-10, James 1:27, 4:17). I have no doubt that the Lord has made this work because He wants it to work, and we rest upon Him throughout the rest of this process. If Ella has no deficiencies or delays, then God be praised. If Ella does develop challenges, then let God be glorified through and despite those challenges.

I feel that I have experienced how God is willing to reward greater trust and faith in Him and His command. It is scary in many ways-- trust always involves a lot of risk. But God indeed is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him (Hebrews 11:6). Let us never forget that!

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Book reading update.

I finished Ed Stetzer's Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the the Churches That Reach Them. It was a great book discussing how the under 30 generation is truly seeking spiritual truth, with a greater interest and willingness than even those just above them in age. The difficulties tend to be in the fact that we are not really reaching them with the message and, stereotypically, are not practicing what is preached. Those of the younger generation, on the whole, are interested in hearing from someone whom they see as authentic, trying to live by the standard but willing to admit deficiencies and failings. They like serving and want to make a difference in the world; that impulse can be properly directed. They have a desire to make intergenerational connections and learn from their elders. The book also goes through examples of how some churches are able to accomplish these things.

It is definitely worth consideration to dig into the question of how to more effectively promote the Gospel among young people of the world.

I also finished an early review book from a Jewish publisher. The book was The Poetry of Prayer: Tehillim in Tefillah by Rabbi Avi Baumol. The book explores the connections between various psalms (tehillim) in Jewish liturgical prayers (tefillah). The author makes many interesting arguments based on literary connections and functions and well expresses the rabbinical history of interpretation of the psalms involved. Beyond that, however, the book is by a Jew for Jews to better understand a particular element of Judaism.

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May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.

ELDV

Greetings, everyone.

Peace, mercy, and grace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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I recognize that I haven't posted a whole lot recently. That seems to be the new normal. Busy, busy, busy.

We switched phone providers and now have BlackBerrys. As if I am not on the Internet enough, I know. But it is useful. It's like I've attained yuppiehood. I'm still not that into texting and I find thumb typing on obnoxiously small keys tiresome.

I went to the dentist today for the first time in 5 years. I actually have cavities for the first time in my life-- two small ones, one in each of my back bottom teeth. I'll have to get them filled in the somewhat near future, but since my dental insurance actually pays for things, it won't be that big of a deal. Tomorrow my wife and daughters go and see said dentist. It's the first time the girls have seen a dentist. Yes, that probably makes me a bad parent. But hey-- this is the first time in my adult life I have been able to get dental insurance on top of health insurance and afford it.

In other news, I should be reading more than I am, but since I'm carrying on three different sets of studies (weekday Hebrew/Greek studies, now in Psalms; Galatians for adult Bible class; Mark for nursing home), it's fairly understandable. I'm extremely behind with Julianna in history, but trying to make that up a little bit.

Actually, I feel behind with pretty much everything except the standard weekly work. And I'm irritated with my old health insurance company, tire of even the effort necessary in handling finances, and really not looking forward to taxes.

It's a normal February! :D

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Book reading update.

I have finished one book-- The Forgiveness Solution by Philip Friedman. The only reason I have this book is because I won it through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

The author discusses how, in his estimation, true forgiveness of self and others is critical for complete wholeness. Therefore, the book is devoted to tests analyzing where one stands in the forgiveness spectrum, and then describes various exercises through which one can be at ease in forgiving self and others. The exercises include guided imagery, self-expression, meditation, and pressure points.

The "new age" part of the book would be off-putting to many people-- the secularists for believing in something beyond the material, and the religious for being a bit Eastern in viewpoint. On the other hand, I've begun in general to wonder regarding the existence of spiritual power/force/energy and how that may relate to our physical world based on study/experience. The pressure point thing, while making one look rather stupid if others are present, does have a form of relaxing power.

Unfortunately, the author comes at many things in the exact opposite way than he should. One of his affirmations involves the idea that we are all really, deep down, innocent creatures, when the Bible would say that we are all really, deep down, guilty creatures. We're unified not in innocence but guilt.

Nevertheless, the power of forgiveness and the golden rule pervade the book, and the book provides methodologies that may be of value in accomplishing forgiveness and the golden rule in life. But there's a lot of ridiculousness in the book too.

Now reading: The Poetry of Prayer: Tehillim in Tefillah by Rabbi Avi Baumol. Yes, it's an early review book, but this comes from the publisher. This is what happens when you (a) have a working knowledge of Hebrew and Judaism and (b) are willing to do book reviews. But hey, I'm studying in Psalms, and such a perspective is interesting in terms of history of interpretation if nothing else.

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May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.

ELDV

If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12).

For some time I have defended the Christian's ability to vote and to thus participate in the political domain as a liberty-- taking concrete action to promote peace and tranquility for the Kingdom (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I have also established that the choice to vote for a particular political candidate is also a matter of liberty, based on the individual believer's sober judgment in regards to a given politician and their belief as to whether he or she would best uphold peace and tranquility for the Kingdom (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I, myself, have participated in such processes.

Nevertheless, on the basis of further study and examination of the current political climate, the ways in which Christians are participating in the political realm, and the impact of all such things on the health and promotion of the Kingdom, I feel compelled to now recant of my participation in the political processes of the United States and to eschew any such future participation for the sake of promoting God's Kingdom, and I would like for my fellow believers to soberly consider their own participation in this process and its implications and consequences.

As it is written,

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Participation in the political realm easily turns into, if nothing else, a "weight," and can also turn into "sin," and all too often hinders our effectiveness in promoting God's Kingdom because of dual loyalties.

As Jesus indicated in regards to God and Mammon in Matthew 6:24, "no man can serve two masters." This is no less true in the political realm. It is easy to get passionately involved in politics and voting and find oneself in morally hazardous terrain.

I feel compelled to establish first and foremost that politicians and the political systems boast of greater power and effectiveness than they can deliver, and Christians should not be fooled into believing their claims. There is no effective deliverance or salvation from evil on account of political action. God has made it very clear how people are saved:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).

For a time in human history, God worked through a particular physical nation, Israel. The new covenant in Christ, however, stands as a clear repudiation of the idea that one particular earthly nation can be "God's nation," for God has people who belong to Him from many nations (John 18:36, Galatians 3:28). In the new covenant, salvation and deliverance does not come through acts of legislation or government mandates-- it can only come through the promotion and acceptance of the Gospel of Christ!

A country could theoretically have God's laws enshrined as their own laws, but such is never a guarantee that people are following those laws. Furthermore, how can there be any guarantee that legislation leads people to the knowledge of God in Christ? What would be gained if all the laws of the land were made to conform to God's laws, but not a soul was converted in the process? It would all be to no avail!

There are no commands, examples, or inferences in the New Testament that would lead us to believe that God saves anyone through the political process. There are no guidelines in the New Testament for establishing a "Christian nation." Furthermore, there is no evidence from the New Testament that any of the believers of the day-- Jesus, the Apostles, or anyone else-- depended upon or worked through the political system to advance God's purposes. The closest example we have is Paul using his Roman citizenship to avoid beatings and to be granted an audience with Caesar, a moment he intended to use to promote the Gospel (cf. Acts 22:25-29, 23:11, 25:10-11).

Therefore, any belief that God's purposes are going to be best served by devoting our efforts and resources to the political sphere are misguided. Politics are part of this world that is declared vanity by the Preacher (Ecclesiastes 1:2), and politics are indeed vanity. Should we devote our time, energy, and resources to vanity and striving after wind or after the spiritual treasures which will not perish (cf. Matthew 6:19-20)?

Most will declare that the Kingdom should come first, of course, but then that there is no difficulty also doing what one can in the political realm to advance God's purposes.

But we must ask the question-- can God's purposes ever be really advanced in the political realm, and is it really profitable to throw oneself into the political sphere?

Politics is a dirty endeavor, full of compromises and moral hazards. And when people with great moral integrity who seek to stand for God's values begin to enmesh themselves with politics, the darkness far too often proves too strong for the light!

Politics is not for the truly principled, and participation in the political realm as is invites moral compromise. Most recognize that voting ends up being choosing the "lesser of two evils," but notice that means that we are choosing an evil!

And herein is the inconsistency in political participation. There are a few people who stand by their integrity and participate in politics: they will only vote for candidates who have a fully Biblical stance on morality. But if you vote for anyone from the two major parties, you are by necessity compromising moral stances, because neither political party upholds God's system of morality.

The most damaging element of politics that I fear is causing great pain for the Kingdom involves party ideology. Too many Christians seem more than willing to align themselves with a given political party and to defend and justify whatever that party happens to do while excoriating and lambasting the other party no matter what they may do.

If a candidate of the opposing party has public moral failings, those are highlighted and condemned. But if a candidate from the "acceptable" party has public moral failings, such is ignored, minimized, or blunted with talk of forgiveness and the like.

If the time is convenient to push regarding a "moral" argument, any candidate who does not accept the truth regarding that "moral" argument is accursed. But if there are other, more pressing political issues, even a candidate from the "acceptable" party who does not hold to that particular "moral" argument can be justified. Furthermore, if one were to vote for a candidate from the "other" party who does not accept the truth regarding that "moral" argument, such is a sin, but if one votes for a candidate from the "acceptable" party who also does not accept the truth regarding that "moral" argument, it is understood that one voted for their other positions and not for their position on that "moral" argument.

Whatever political shenanigans the "other" party engages in shows how corrupt, evil, and debased they are, but the political shenanigans of the "acceptable" party are always justifiable.

Nothing evil can be said about candidates from the "acceptable" party, but it is always open season on the "other" party.

The people in the "other" party are always out for the destruction of everything we hold dear, while the people in the "acceptable" party always act sincerely in what they believe to be the best interest of this nation.

These types of attitudes and actions are hypocritical to the extreme and shameful. They indicate just how far politics can go in dividing people and alienating people. I am ashamed to say that I myself have participated at times in such arguments and have at times spoken improperly to my fellow brethren regarding such profitless and worthless disputations, and for that I have repented and continue to repent.

Consider what the New Testament says in contrast to what happens today.

Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17).

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king (1 Peter 2:17).

God says that we should take thought for what is honorable in the sight of all and that we should honor all men. If we engage in partisan character attacks and speak evilly of people with whom we disagree politically, are we acting in honorable ways? Do we show that we honor all men, even those with political opinions with which we differ, through such discussions and statements?

Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men (Titus 3:1-2).

Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings (1 Peter 2:1).

God also makes evident that we are to not speak evil of anyone, and yet it seems to be par for the course to assume that the people in power with whom we disagree clearly have evil intentions. The same benefit of the doubt that are given to one group are never given to others.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Paul here emphasizes the importance of devoting our minds to the things that are good and pleasing. He indicates that we must take thought as to what we take into ourselves in terms of information and where we obtain that information. There are many venues of information out there whose purpose is to promote a certain worldview and to alienate and malign any other perspective. All kinds of form of manipulation are used to distort reality in order to conform to the narrative of choice. This is done from both sides of the political spectrum, but as Christians, we should say enough, and no longer allow ourselves to be filled with messages that divide, alienate, and do not lead to peace!

Are we entirely ignorant of what the great push toward political participation has done to the Kingdom? Do we not see how our conduct among the Gentiles has been less than honorable because we have allowed ourselves to be wrapped into this pointless, futile contest of wills?

Regardless of where you live in America, odds are that between 45-65% of the population does not agree with your political preference, if you have gone along with one of the two major parties. If we push political messages, however consciously or unconsciously, are we not hindering our effectiveness in reaching 45-65% of those around us with the message that is really important?

What if the intense political participation that is manifest in Bible class discussions, stray comments from the pulpit, bulletin articles, Facebook statuses, blog posts, and the like, were responsible for pushing some people away from the Gospel message? How should we feel if we are allowing something as trivial and as unimportant as politics to get in the way from them learning of the truth of God?

I am sure that if such comments were made in regards to passion regarding sports teams or food preferences or some other such thing, we would all recognize how damaging that would be. How is politics any different?

If the political climate presents constant temptation to demonize my fellow man because of his different political beliefs, how is that going to help me break down barriers and to show him the love of Christ?

If I am pushing a particular political agenda, and the person with whom I am trying to show the Gospel already has a preconceived notion of the way Christians are based on that political agenda, is that political agenda going to assist or hinder my work?

If all the energy, time, money, and other resources that Christians expend in the political arena were redirected toward the promotion of the Gospel of Christ and the demonstration of love and compassion for our fellow man, how much further could Christ's cause be advanced?

I want to be clear: I am not condemning anyone for participating in the political process if they so choose. That remains a liberty even if I no longer practice it. This does not mean that I will cease from ever speaking about politics, especially when it comes to the intersection of politics and the Kingdom. I also recognize that many are able to keep their political views and their religious views separate, do not make a big deal about their political views, and certainly do not make their political views tests of fellowship, and for such brethren I am thankful.

Nevertheless, I have some questions that I believe merit consideration.

Has any soul been saved because of Christian participation in the political realm?

How, in any measurable spiritual way, has the Kingdom of God been advanced by Christian participation in the political realm?

How much damage has been done to the Kingdom by Christians participating in the political realm and getting caught up in evil surmisings, dishonorable words and actions, and antagonism toward people of a different political persuasion?

How many souls have been alienated from the commonwealth of Christ on account of the forceful presentation of the political opinions of Christians?

How has politics built up and encouraged the Lord's Body? In how many ways have politics instead torn down and distressed the Lord's Body?

If there is so much lost because of political participation, and so little gained, how can it ever be considered profitable for Christians to engage in it?

I have considered these questions and I cannot help but decide that political participation is not profitable when it comes to advancing the agenda of the Lord of all. Our fight is not with Democrats or Republicans or Independents or even with al-Qaeda or Iraq or terrorists or homosexuals or atheists-- Paul makes it clear that our fight is not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Instead, our fight is with "the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). And those powers of darkness are well-served by Christians expending their energy fighting the futile fight of politics and losing ground in the good, necessary, and eternally consequent fight.

ELDV