A reader emailed to ask, “An honest question: how do you balance opinion vs. hope. As a pastor I always emphasize hope (though admittedly I am offering Christ) yet I also clearly emphasize reality.…Yet the question remains: where does responsibility lie with those who speak publicly & are heard?”
Erick, there is nothing permanent anyplace in this world. here are no political saviors, but that applies as much to a theoretically ideal conservative with perfect Christian behavior and theology as it does to Trump. But the concept that political parties need to trade power about every 4-12 years is simply not true. As Vanguard says about the financial world, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results." Consider the Democratic stronghold on big city mayors, with the last Republican mayor of these cities dating to: Chicago 1931; Pittsburgh 1933; Philadelphia 1952; Baltimore 1967; Cleveland 1989. The progressive left can only undo what Trump has done if they win elections, which is why it is very important that sane voters do not elect Democrats.
In terms of fiscal policy, the sad reality is that there have never been the votes to cut the huge amount of wasteful spending that exists in our government. The principled conservative who regularly votes against the last minute budget bills that have large veto proof majorities accomplishes absolutely nothing. The sequester sounds like a good idea unless you are the poor soldier sent out to die without optimal equipment because we keep fighting wars that we don't need to fight because they are not in the US vital interest. The Democrats knew the sequester was not sustainable when they agreed to it. The reality of our world is that globalism has transferred a fortune to China, and unlike the Soviets the Chinese are both a military and an economic power. The Chinese have zero intention to alternate power with anybody. The same is true for the progressive Democrats who already have a stranglehold on many American cities/states.
The second arrival of Jesus is truly our greatest and deepest hope. But just now, what is politically necessary is to remove Trump from office.
Trump has, by his chicanery and wheelin'dealin' shoot-from-the-hip demagoguery, absconded the conservative movement; he is manipulating conservative and republicans and clueless Chiristians.
The first order of business in restoring and/or reinforcing conservatism and Christian values is to get Trump out of the way.
The early history of the church provides evidence that our role in being salt and light in this fallen world--our role and the faithful performance of it--does not depend on being in a position of power.
In fact, we will shine brightly, and we will function more faithfully, when we are called to persevere and endure through the darkness of (postmodern) adversity and (facebook et al) persecution.
Political power--especially the hyped-up trumpian manipulation and trickery-- makes us too content with the decadent practices of this fallen world and its babylonish system.
I realize this may sound "ignorant" but the current situation "feels" different. I am conservative. I want less spending and smaller government. I'm also a Christian. What I see coming from the Left, some Progressives, and militant communist types seems more violent than I have seen in many, many years. I am losing "hope"
You are kind and I am humbled. Thank you for this honesty and hope....
Erick, there is nothing permanent anyplace in this world. here are no political saviors, but that applies as much to a theoretically ideal conservative with perfect Christian behavior and theology as it does to Trump. But the concept that political parties need to trade power about every 4-12 years is simply not true. As Vanguard says about the financial world, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results." Consider the Democratic stronghold on big city mayors, with the last Republican mayor of these cities dating to: Chicago 1931; Pittsburgh 1933; Philadelphia 1952; Baltimore 1967; Cleveland 1989. The progressive left can only undo what Trump has done if they win elections, which is why it is very important that sane voters do not elect Democrats.
In terms of fiscal policy, the sad reality is that there have never been the votes to cut the huge amount of wasteful spending that exists in our government. The principled conservative who regularly votes against the last minute budget bills that have large veto proof majorities accomplishes absolutely nothing. The sequester sounds like a good idea unless you are the poor soldier sent out to die without optimal equipment because we keep fighting wars that we don't need to fight because they are not in the US vital interest. The Democrats knew the sequester was not sustainable when they agreed to it. The reality of our world is that globalism has transferred a fortune to China, and unlike the Soviets the Chinese are both a military and an economic power. The Chinese have zero intention to alternate power with anybody. The same is true for the progressive Democrats who already have a stranglehold on many American cities/states.
The second arrival of Jesus is truly our greatest and deepest hope. But just now, what is politically necessary is to remove Trump from office.
Trump has, by his chicanery and wheelin'dealin' shoot-from-the-hip demagoguery, absconded the conservative movement; he is manipulating conservative and republicans and clueless Chiristians.
The first order of business in restoring and/or reinforcing conservatism and Christian values is to get Trump out of the way.
The early history of the church provides evidence that our role in being salt and light in this fallen world--our role and the faithful performance of it--does not depend on being in a position of power.
In fact, we will shine brightly, and we will function more faithfully, when we are called to persevere and endure through the darkness of (postmodern) adversity and (facebook et al) persecution.
Political power--especially the hyped-up trumpian manipulation and trickery-- makes us too content with the decadent practices of this fallen world and its babylonish system.
Dump Trump; then move on.
I realize this may sound "ignorant" but the current situation "feels" different. I am conservative. I want less spending and smaller government. I'm also a Christian. What I see coming from the Left, some Progressives, and militant communist types seems more violent than I have seen in many, many years. I am losing "hope"
I love it that you keep me grounded when it seems that there is nothing but gloom and doom in the world. Thank you.
Good post.....why do I no longer receive your daily email as a member?