Election 2008

A Christian Manifesto

            A Christian Manifesto and a companion study guide are available at the internet site designed for its release on 07 May 1008, to wit, www.chrisitanmanifesto.com Os Guiness is one of the prime drafters and seems to be the spokesman during this early period after release. In a short interview reproduced at Justin Taylor’s http://theologica.blogspot.com Guiness the emphasis of the document is to promote understanding of who evangelicals are and to improve their performance in the public square, mainly by abandoning the demonizing of opponents.

            This appears to be an odd time to release it. A Presidential election cycle year is one in which demonizing opponents in the public square ascends [or is that descends?] new heights. Although Guiness denies that the manifesto is a political statement, it does seem to be a not too veiled attempt to separate evangelicals, as defined by the drafters, from partisan political wrangling. Kind and charitable evangelicals should not ever be associated with politics.

            Now, it is true that because of decades of trying to influence public policy through the political process, many non faith based persons identify evangelical as a political term. The manifesto does a good job of defining theological parameters of what an evangelical is. But, does that really have an affect on those who know no evangelicals to convince them that being an evangelical is about a Triune Creator, Redeemer and King? To the regular Joe Doaks, Pagan, theological beliefs are akin to belief in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. It is not a real, meaningful and purposeful pursuit. Nice but not very practical.

            Yes, we must be more like Christ in the public arena. That will lead to our being ignored in the political process. Maybe that is the point of the manifesto drafters. But, there are times and issues that require squeaky wheels to get the media grease. Maybe that is the point of the drafters. We evangelicals cannot be single issue folk but look beyond homosexual marriage and abortion as hills upon which to die. Does that mean joining in with the trendy cultural and political issues of the day with secular folk?

Jesus did not come to overthrow the political order but neither did he come to address Israel’s hot button issues of the day. The manifesto correctly states that evangelicals should be “defined theologically and not politically, socially or culturally” [p.4]. But, that does not mean Christians should not be politically, socially or culturally active. To do so in the rough and tumble political arena means exposing unbiblical positions with boldness and forcefulness.

            One other comment to make at this time. The manifesto promotes a “civil” public square in opposition to a “sacred” or “naked” public square. Does that not place the civil authorities over the faith authorities? Everyone, regardless of their faith or faithlessness has the right to speak out in the public square. Fair enough. But, who maintains the public square? Who says when the Muslim, Hindu or Christian goes too far? And, since the secular folk who now referee the discourse so not see themselves as biased, who watches the watchers? If an evangelical is truly a theological person, then he/she must always stand for the distinctiveness of Christian belief and practice everywhere at all times…in or out or the public square.

            Read the manifesto yourself. There will be much more commentary in the weeks to come. Will this change the way the public in general looks at evangelicals? Probably not. Will is change the way evangelicals approach their involvement in society? Probably not. But, it does provide a vehicle in which to reassess who evangelicals are and what they must be doing in proclaiming the “good news” after which they claim their identity. And, that is a good thing…we must always be reforming.

The Problems of America

Can there be real Populism?

            Christopher Lasch called for a revitalization of politics in the 1980s. He believed the “left” was finished as a viable option and the “right” was warned over liberalism. This seems to be the chord Barack Obama [BO] is trying to strike with his call for “change”. I have previously posted about the issue of “change”. As the primary season winds down, I would like to examine the “new populism” that seems to have emerged.

            Populism has always been a viable force in American politics. Jefferson was a populist as opposed to the federalists. He favored the exercise of power by the farmers and laborers of the countryside with their regional interests. Obviously, he lost that debate to the centralizers, whose position was solidified during the Civil War. The 10^th Amendment of the amendments required by the Virginians for their Constitutional support reserved to the states all powers not specifically granted to the federal government. This was to be a check against centralized power. It did not work! So, there has been populist appeals over the years to counteract Big Brother.

            This populist impulse is always rumbling just below the surface of political America. During the Gilded Age, the economic condition of all was improving, nevertheless, the rich became very rich and the regular populace felt threatened by collusion between business and government. We have a similar situation today. The first 3 months of 2008 have seen a “correction” in the stock market, the credit crisis and the highest gasoline prices in history. The conjunction of these things has created great angst among the populace.

            In little cities and towns around America, “Ma and PA” businesses are disappearing. They have been Walmarted! And, up until recently, folk have been satisfied as long as they are comfortable. Now they are feeling uncomfortable, so a desire for change. They see their conventional institutions and structures disintegrating…schools that cannot keep order let alone teach; local government dependant on the federal government for dollars to provide services; service clubs [Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions] losing membership; churches more interested in therapy than God. It takes all a man’s efforts to keep up with the economic demands of our society.

            This brings us to another of Lasch’s problems…….progress for progress sake. For the new world wide economy to work, all men must be sold out to produce wealth and prosperity for the whole world. A sort of new “We are the World”. And, that takes a toll on kin, place and community all of which takes intentional, directed effort to maintain. My mother, not a cultural pundit, used to say many things are done for the “almighty dollar.” Joseph Schumpeter believed that capitalism leads to “creative destruction”. That is, the social institutions that fostered it are devoured by it. To stay ahead of the Joneses means our relationship with the Joneses suffers.

            In the political culture of today, nanny statists and free enterprisers are both in favor of an economy that continues to pump out goods and services that promote our comfort. For Bill Gates and welfare programs to be successful, the world wide economy has to continue to grow. We are all progressiveists…we have to be. Real populism would reject continued superhighways, foreign entanglements, global economics, mass media and unfettered technological development. That is not going to happen.

            So, the American public seems to be captivated by BO as the “new populist” alternative. It is hard to believe that a Harvard educated lawyer is a populist leader. He is a privileged person; he is “the man”. But, strangely, he has a populist appeal. As an African-American, he stands as outside the “dead white man” structural control. He is an orator of no small talent. He can energize a crowd and he has involved the under 30s like no other in recent memory. He is not anti-modern, however. He may want to redistribute income, but he still favors a system that produces income to redistribute. And, if he does not embrace progressive, world wide capitalism, as some on Wall Street fear, he will be a failure to those who backed this “new populist”.

            These are strange times in America. We want change and our prosperity too. Whatever one thinks of the War on Terror, it is clear no one wants to sacrifice to win it. We want “peace at any cost”…or rather at NO cost. We have lost Eliot’s “permanent things” that were once our shared beliefs. The “little platoons” of Burke are no longer the active protectors and promoters of virtuous living that holds a society together. What we have is our “stuff”, very little of which is produced in the USA. China and India are sucking up the excess oil in the world because they want to keep making and selling us “stuff”. And, we are willing participants. Real populism necessitates the taking back of our culture and economy. Real populism requires sacrifice that halts the unbridled consumption that marks our dependency on unfettered international economic growth and technological progress. Is BO such a populist? Can BO deliver such populism?  That would require a real change…a return to Jeffersonian populism that was long since buried by conspicuous consumption, globalization and self-absorption. What are the chances of that happening, regardless of the President? Slim and none.

The Problems of America

Loss of Identity

            It is said that Cinco de Mayo is a more popular holiday in Los Angeles than the 4^th of July. Could just be a rumor or a way of exhibiting an animus toward our Mexican neighbors. Whatever the case with respect to celebrating the 5^th of May, Roger McGrath, in the March issue of Chronicles [Vol 32 NO 3] reports some eyeopening statistics about his native California. Here they are:

Last year [2007], 263,000 citizens left the once Goldrn State—and a similar out-migration has been going on, with a few anomalous blips, for the last 15 years.

Nearly 30 percent of California residents are now foreign born; as stunning five million of them were born in Mexico.

For most grammar school students in the city of Los Angeles, English is a second language. For some, It is a third language behind one of several Indian tongues of Mexico and Spanish. Hispanics now make up 75 percent of the students; whites, a mere 7 percent.

Twenty-six of the city’s high schools are now 80-percent or more Hispanic. Eighteen of those have student bodies that are 90-percent or more Hispanic, and seven are 98-or 99-percent.

This is a startling trend. McGrath calls it “ethnic cleansing” or a “foreign invasion”. No one knows how many are legal or illegal. But, we know for sure that it is changing the face of California. It does not stop there.  Midwest states like Nebraska and even PA have seen a significant influx of Hispanics in the last decade.

Why do they come? Looking for a better life, but unlike other immigration waves there are two problems. One, the Hispanics do not seem anxious to become part of our American culture. That is why English is a second language. Second, the fragile economic situation in the USA is less able to absorb this invasion. Much has been made of NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] in this primary election cycle. Who was for it and who was against it.

Opponents argue that is has devastated USA businesses. But, what of it’s effects in Mexico? Mexico’s agriculture has disappeared. They now import agricultural goods from the USA as part of NAFTA. So, Mexican farmers now at a competitive disadvantage to the massive agricultural machine in the USA can move to Mexico City or the USA. What would you do? Recently I was in New York City for the first time in twenty [20] years. I noticed two things: one, increased safety in Manhattan, and two, the number of Hispanics in the service industry. Twenty years ago you took you life in your hands at night in NYC. And, most of the service workers were whites, many from Eastern European countries.

The need for the Hispanics, legal or otherwise, is promoted and argued for on the basis that for no one else will do what they do. But, with respect to the illegals, the taxpayer is picking up their medicals, educating their kids and paying welfare benefits. It may be cheap for employers, but we make up the difference. It is hard to see how this benefits the taxpayers of the USA.

What to do with the 12-20 million illegals is indeed a thorny problem for which there are no easy answers They are even an issue in Hazelton, PA, the heart of “coal cracker” country for heavens sake. We must deal with this Hispanic invasion…our very identity as a nation of common language, place, history, memory and belief is at stake. Here is a question each citizen must ask: Does our identity as a people really matter anymore or has the USA been reduced to a concept or idea?

Living in the World

61 B

            Yesterday, I stood waiting in front of the Waverly Presbyterian Church. This was Susan’s church when she lived in Pittsburgh. It is also where we were married thirty four [34] years ago on 4 May of this year. Wow! Thirty four years since I stood in front of this church. And, today I was waiting on bus 61 B to take me downtown. It had been longer since I rode a city bus…thirty six [36] years during my last year of law school. Then it cost thirty [$.30] cents; today two [$2.00] dollars.

            It was an interesting trip down Forbes until it becomes one way, then down Fifth until reentering Forbes near the old county jail. The bus was full so I hung on a strap. There we were: white, yellow, black and Hispanic together as a little community. There were youngsters riding to school at Oakland Catholic [girls] and Central Catholic [boys] in Oakland. On board were students and others heading to Pitt. Assorted workers for the hospitals in the Oakland area and those headed for jobs in the downtown. A couple well dressed men, probably businessmen or attorneys, were along for the ride. Interestingly, no one alighted at Carnegie Mellon [CMU]. Maybe they are flush enough to drive or all students live on campus. By and large, the bus was populated by those who could not afford to drive to work, whether they had a car or not.

            Our little community of travelers was not much different than other communities in which we lived. No one talked to each other. Most said hello to the driver, a 30ish attractive black woman. Some even said, “See you tomorrow”, indicative of their daily use of the bus. But, there was no greeting or such conversation with each other. Most avoided eye contact. When I smiled and said “hello” to those who would look at me, there was an inaudible reply or nothing. Many of the young ones had their phones out text messaging. The older folks hid behind newspapers and those of in between years were plugged into I pods.

            On the way back from the city, it was the same. Unlike the trip in, there was a seat next to a black woman with ear buds in her ears, so there was no conversation with her. I heard more talking, but it was passengers talking on the phone, not to each other. This time at the CMU stop, people got on the bus. One young man sat next to me and I asked him how his day was and whether he rode the bus every day. He was a sophomore civil engineering major. I specifically asked him if he noticed passengers did not talk to each other. At that question, another person, a young lady who got on with him, turned around and smiled at the question. This was the only personal contact I had on both trips besides the female driver on the way downtown. As I alighted at the Waverly Church and spoke to the driver, a 40ish black man, he did not respond.

            Why such a small amount of interpersonal communication? It was early going in, so some were probably not morning people desiring to speak to others. And, on the way back, folks may have been tired. But, that did not stop folk from talking on their phones while sitting next to someone else in the bus. Some of the youngsters probably were instructed to keep to themselves because of the concern for safety and about strangers. But, it is apparent that they see each other often, if not daily. And, as to me, who would speak to a first timer in blue jeans and a sweatshirt. But, I can’t help but believe it is a commentary on our society in general. What is happening in the lives of others is not important to us. We have our own issues. If the dude who gets on at Dallas doesn’t show up for a week I have no obligation to care or inquire. If I get involved with others, that ups the ante of responsibility. Who wants that? Self absorption is a lot simpler. I only have to care about myself.

            Today I will not be on 61 B. Will anyone notice? Will anyone care? My appearance on 61 B did not register with all or most of the riders. But, what of the students headed to high school, or the workers at Presbyterian Hospital who ride everyday? Unfortunately, their non-appearance would likewise make no difference in the lives of the riders. And, that is a tragedy and shows where we are as a people on 61 B, in Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, in the USA and in the world.

Earth Day/Election Day 2008

Do we vote to save the earth?

            Today is Earth Day and Election Day in Pennsylvania. The whole world knows that. Earth Day is like Halloween, a big secular holiday. And, Election Day in PA is known the world over because of the Hill/BO battle. Closer to home, there is a primary for the 5^th Congressional District seat being vacated by John Peterson [R]. It has been particularly nasty in the final weeks of the campaign which has been of particular interest to us because a nephew is one of the candidates on the Republican side.

            What gets buried in all of the hoopla surrounding the environment and politics is the “God factor”. On Sunday, I read as our call to worship Psalm 24. It begins:

            The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,

            The world and those who dwell therein. 

Note, the earth and all its inhabitants belong to the Lord. Does that mean we are not to be good stewards of the environment? No. But, we must keep in mind, no matter how often it is repeated, that we are not “saving our” earth. We are to exercise dominion over what we have been given for we answer not to any agency of men, but to God. Likewise, when electing officials as public servants [Do the candidates know what they really are?], it is to be a civil magistrate for God…to do good and restrain evil. The world and all in it belongs to God as much as the physical earth. For, He is the Creator and Sustainer of all.

            So on this combined Earth and Election Day, remember we do not vote to save the earth. Each of us is individually responsible for using what has been given to us in a responsible way. And, we are to vote for those candidates who would make good rulers, discharging their duties to all folk under their jurisdiction so that good would be able to be done and evil punished. So, go to the voting booth if you are in PA and then plant a tree. By keeping this in mind, you will be glorifying God Who is in charge and has set forth a way to do all things from eternity.