Pro-life

Strangely enough, the two most divisive issues, religion and politics, have been colliding recently in our churches and in our newspapers. Here are a few thoughts regarding one of the issues that Christian voters have rallied around in recent years-the term "pro-life."

What does it mean to be for life? Where does it begin, and where does it end? Where is that principle of morality rooted, and how does it shape not only our worldview, philosophy and politics, but also our actions?

Many limit the issue of pro-life to abortion rights or the removal of those rights. As a Christian, it’s simple to look at scripture and see the commandment of not killing-and applying that to an unborn baby. What’s not simple, however, is to take a more comprehensive attitude towards being pro-life: from the womb to the tomb.

Being pro-life affects not only the beginning of life and abortion, but also end of life issues like euthanasia. But what about the many decades of life from birth until the grave? We shouldn’t only be concerned about issues of life when it comes to the beginning and end, but also during the proverbial “dash” in between those two dates.

During the dash, our concern for life should encompass how we see poverty, not only at home but also internationally. It should shape our view of medical care, not only in America, but throughout the world. It should affect our concern for those still enslaved-some by the sex trade, and some by economic policy and unfair trade laws.

For if we say that we are pro-life, we are then bound to carry that principle out to the nth degree. The truth is that we are called to obey more than just one of the 613 commandments found in the Old Testament. Life encompasses more than the taking of it. Life is about what you do and say as you live it. And this is the challenge we are facing as those who bear the name of Christ. For the greatest commandments were to love God with all we have and all we are, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Our philosophy must not be limited to our views on abortion and the sanctity of marriage. Yes, those must be included, for the breakdown of the family leads to the breakdown of society. But we must not be deceived into thinking that a vote for a candidate equals a political change. Nor should we think that if we elect “our” candidate into office, any office, that then we are absolved of personal responsibility to affect change.

No politician can truly love the mother of an unwanted child during her pregnacy. No politician will sit and care for the poor and diseased. No politician will visit those in the hospital or nursing homes to pray with and listen to those who are dying. But Christ will. And He does-but he also expects us to do the same. He expects us not only vote on His Word, but live it out in action during the 2 or 4 or 6 years between elections.

I believe there is a reason that Jesus didn’t call for change in Rome. He expected change to start with us. He didn’t run to the seat of the government and call for legislation to shift morality, he called for us to follow Him. No amount of law from government can return a nation to God-it must begin in our hearts with humility, not with speeches and committees in the halls of power.

Regardless of your vote this year, remember that these principles you are willing to argue and fight over should not only dictate your vote in the booth, but your life throughout the next year or two. Don’t find yourself in the position of arguing for a philosophy that you aren’t willing to live out.

If you want to see the end of abortion, please volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. If you want to see restoration of broken homes, become a foster parent or a marriage counselor at your church. If you want to battle the pains of poverty, help feed or clothe someone. If you want to see better healthcare happen, volunteer at a local free clinic.

Simply put, let’s become doers of the word, and not voters only. For James says if we only listen but don’t do, we are lying to ourselves. If we stand for truth, let us live it out in love, and let the world see what Jesus looks like in action.

Politics and Impressions

I normally stay away from politics on my blog, but I watched most of the opening of the Democratic National Convention, as well as the forum at Saddleback a couple weeks ago. From what I've studied and read about the candidates, here are my impressions.

1. Politics are more about painting the candidates (and their wives/husbands and children) in a certain light than it is about substance.

The reason I say that is because so often the politicians are polling people so they know what to think. I understand that they are to represent their constituents, but we all hope to nominate someone with backbone and a strong character that we can trust. Most of the time it seems that when they do speak their own mind, then they have to clarify, follow-up, or salvage something from the inevitable media backlash (see McCain's comment on how many homes he owns, or Michelle Obama's comment on her finally being proud of her country).

And sometimes it just seems like it's a big production designed to evoke a response. At times tonight I felt so awkward watching the DNC, not because I don't like them, but because it was such a forced show. Almost everything seemed to be staged-it was like watching a play put on by middle schoolers where they were trying to say their lines, but it wasn't believable. *Sigh*

2. People on both sides of the partisan split are hypocrites.

The Moral Majority/Religious Right spent countless thousands of dollars making sure everyone knew of Bill Clinton's womanizing. But you don't hear hardly a peep from them when it comes to John McCain cheating on his first wife with his present-wife. One month after their divorce, he married Cindy.

And the Democrats for years have stayed away from religion, preferring not to mix faith and politics. Now they are recruiting every young and popular evangelical to take part in their party-and for what purpose? From Shane Claiborne to Cameron Strang, Donald Miller and more, what used to be labeled by the media as extremism (standing up for your religious faith and beliefs) in the Republican party is now acceptable in the Democratic party. As for me, I'm glad that there are Christians in the Democratic party in prominent positions-I just wish they were invited for reasons other than political purposes (they need more votes).

3. I think most people who don't look into the backgrounds of each candidate will end up voting for the person that they would like to be their friend.

I truly believe the general public will tend to pull for the one who they would like to have coffee or play a round of golf with. For them, the election will be based on how winsome the candidate's personality is, instead of the substance of their character. This is just a sad truth of the world we live in. People will spend more time on their email, Myspace, Facebook or Youtube entertaining themselves instead of using this massive wealth of information available to better themselves and their country. Or maybe posting blogs like me....

In all honesty, every government is less than ideal. This is another reason why we long for change, and we long for a leader we can place hope in. Ours is a system where we have to choose between flawed sinful candidates to lead all of us sinful citizens. This is why we all secretly long for another kingdom on this earth. A kingdom where our leader will be trustworthy, loving, just, fair, and true. (Note: this won't happen at the Republican Convention either). It's the Kingdom of God, and all creation groans in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the day it arrives. And the leader will be our King, Jesus Christ.