Politics

A Simulacrum of Hope: Simulation of the Triumphal Entry of the Christ

Check THIS out. Gosh. The Obama Christ

Al Mohler on “The ‘American Experience’ and the Death of Evangelicalism”

Al MohlerMohler came out with a great post today on the role that American politcal theory has played in our assumptions about God and the Bible and how that has affected Evangelicalism in the States.  Go check it out for yourself.
“Be warned:  God is not running for office, and heaven is not a democracy.” -Al Mohler

Pastor Obama?

“President-elect Obama is the first Pastor in Chief of the new age of spirituality. If he fulfills the promise of his campaign, if he leads by listening, if he welcomes each of us to a purpose larger than ourselves, he will be rewarded by an outpouring of commitment that offers a real chance to overcome some of our most vexing problems. Nothing less will suffice.” The whole post can be read here. The Patrol comments on it here.

Post-Election True/False Test

I got this from Tom Ascol, who got it from Dr. Wyman Richardson.  Thought-provoking to say the least.
  1. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, Jesus will still be King.
  2. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.
  3. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.
  4. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my primary citizenship will still be in this order – (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
  5. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the tomb will still be empty.
  6. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
  7. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.
  8. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)
  9. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.
  10. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  11. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.
  12. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, “Jesus Is Lord” will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.
  13. True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, we will still know that God is in control.

President-Elect Barack Obama

Barack Obama Also, excellent thoughts and words by Justin Taylor and the Internet Monk.

Driscoll on the Elections and Viewing them with Gospel Eyes

Mark Driscoll

Excellent stuff by Brother Driscoll:

The bottom line is obvious to those with gospel eyes. People are longing for Jesus, and tragically left voting for mere presidential candidates. For those whose candidate wins today there will be some months of groundless euphoric faith in that candidate and the atoning salvation that their kingdom will bring. But, in time, their supporters will see that no matter who wins the presidency, they are mere mortals prone to sin, folly, and self-interest just like all the other sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. To help extend naïve false hope as long as possible, a great enemy will be named and demonized as the one who is hindering all of the progress to atone for our sins and usher in our kingdom. If the Democrats win it will be the rich, and if the Republicans win it will be the terrorists. This diversionary trick is as old as Eve who blamed her sin on Satan rather than repenting. The lie is that it’s always someone else’s fault and we’re always the victim of sinners and never the sinner.

-Mark Driscoll

The rest of the post can be read here: “In God We Do Not Trust”

Baucham on the Palin VP pick

An interesting quote from Voddie Baucham about Palin.
“We need to be careful how far we go to get the “right candidate” in office. The Culture War will not end on November 4th, no matter who wins. Or am I the only one who remembers that George W. Bush was supposed to be a political savior too?” -Voddie Baucham
The post can be read here. Another post on the topic is here.  And another here.

Sarah Palin’s Speech and A Sampling of What the Web is Saying About It

If anyone missed Sarah Palin’s speech last night, you missed a doozy. Listed below are some various thoughts and articles from around the Web today. Peggy Noonan on Palin (this was before the speech, but its good reading) Mary Mitchel (Chicago Sun-Times) Jeanne Cummings & Beth Frerking (Politico) Gloria Steinem (LA Times) Meghan O’Rourke (Slate.com) John Dickerson (Slate.com) Tom Raum & Liz Sidoti (AP News) Roger Simon (Politico) And finally, this was simply hilarious. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/UPpNoHtkvLs&hl=en&fs=1]

Piper on the Current Election Season

“Our posture shouldn’t be one of anger and triumphalism but compassion and humility. We remember that what saved us from our foolishness wasn’t a political debate or a ballot box but the gospel about Jesus and the sovereign working of God. We engage as recovering fools with empathy for the foolish.” - John Piper (emphasis added)
The full post can be read here.

Psalm 62 and a Timely Reminder During Election Season

In my reading this morning I read Psalm 62. For God alone(B) my soul(C) waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (D) He only is my rock and my salvation, my(E) fortress;(F) I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like(G) a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his(H) high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. (I) They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah For God alone, O(J) my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (K) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my(L) salvation and my glory; my mighty rock,(M) my refuge is God. (N) Trust in him at all times, O people; (O) pour out your heart before him; God is(P) a refuge for us. Selah

(Q) Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate(R) are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

Put no trust in extortion;

(S) set no vain hopes on robbery;

(T) if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

(U) Once God has spoken; (V) twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord,(W) belongs steadfast love. For you will(X) render to a man according to his work. -Psalm 62 During the rest of this election season both candidates will promise us a better economy, better national security, better health care, and a generally better life. As such, we would do well to remember the words of Psalm 62.  John McCain and Barack Obama are but a breath.  They’re a vapor.  In and of themselves they are simply vanity.  But the Lord, He is our refuge and our trust.  No matter who wins this presidential election, we are assured of this, that the Lord is still reigning, that God is still ruling, and that His Purposes will never be thwarted.

For God alone , O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.