Evangelical Political Involvement?

This is a question that must be readdressed. Christians have been actively involved in the Western political process since the 300's. However, there is a move for (legitimately--not simply brought on by a reaction to the failures of G. W. Bush), minimizing political involvement including no more blanket endorsments of the Republican party. This shift was seen dramatically in this last election (of course) but what has virtually gone unnoticed is how many Evangelical Christians were moving against this with many even voting Democratic before that (the irony of the caricature painted in the news).

This push for the reduction or increase in Evangelical political involvement must be motivated by only one question:

In what way will political involvement (candidate endorsment, lobbying, voting, etc) on any given issue affect the deliverance of the Gospel?

For instance, if the United States goes to war with Iraq, how will this affect the reception of the Gospel within Iraq? If Christians come together to support Proposition 8, how will that affect the reception of the Gospel within the homosexual community? Of course we cannot please all but we have to please some do we not? We must become all things to all people not only as individuals but also as the Church. This is difficult to say the least but the corporate church must weigh corporate policies by this rule. Maybe boycotting Disney sounds good and right but how will it be viewed? Maybe the US invading Iraq is good but will the Iraqies see the "crusaders" coming again?

It is difficult for us to reconcile a justice by force with a mercy that's in meekness.

The mercy of the Gospel is primary. It must trump our push for justice in the Church. It did in the early Church. The early Church was concerned with social injustices (they took it upon themselves to make up for them) but to say they were "political" in that they sought political power is a laugh. If they are our example in everything else, why don't we complete the picture? If they didn't fight the Romans out of Israel or form a mob and take Jerusalem or join the rebels at Masada, why do we over invest in the political process? We must fully accept our call to share the Gospel. Anything in addition is neglect and discredits the message. We cannot hold a gun and a Bible. We cannot perform two missions. We are either peace makers or peace keepers. We cannot be both.

I promised a post...

Tonight, I preached my first 'formal' sermon over Philippians 2:1-8. Such a wonderful passage to familiarize myself with over these last couple of months.. I received a DVD immediately upon completion in which the professor gave immediate feedback as I preached. It was pretty hilarious. Here are some fun things I learned about me in watching and hearing myself.

1) I have a ginormous "super-hero" brow. No one told me this and I'm really disappointed! I was a little startled by it. Eric (my brother) and I once made fun of a preacher in San Antonio for his giant brow. Oh Lord me too?? Why me??

2) Gosh I'm low energy. Seriously, light a fire under your arse Chris! Speed up a little bit. It won't hurt and maybe the pauses won't be so long.

3) Man, I'm still fat. If only I could drop a couple-a-20pnds, that would be awesome!

4) Ironically, I repeat myself so much but in my first sermon, I failed to do the most basic element of teaching--repeat myself! Well, for once--I didn't repeat myself. I don't know if this is personal growth or just bad luck.

5) I really am as funny as I think I am... : )

6) I stand in the "contrapposto" pose when I feel comfortable. Look it up Michaelangelo. I taught Evonne a new word!

7) My hands really are as big as I think they are--but why didn't my legs grow to match mom and dad?

8) I enjoy talking on stage. I like to teach and communicate and poke fun while I do it. I love making people laugh. Wait, I knew this one so it doesn't count.

8) I am now okay with listening to and watching myself on video. This is new. Usta kinda freak out at the thought of hearing myself speak but I've lost a lot of that 'critical' element. Praise Jesus. Maybe the stick has been officially removed from my butt.

Love you guys..

Joel's Transmission

I love blogs! Blogs are one of the most amazing relatively new parts of the culture that is defined by the world wide web. People everywhere jump online and post their ideas on politics, religion, history, science, culture--anything! From new moms documenting their families with pictures and videos to political radicals proclaiming the party line--the millions can fire off their brains into the vastness of inter-space. And like any good American tradition, it's absolutely free!

So I am jumping into this phenomenon that I have been observing much more than participating in so that I may document, share, and flesh out the ideas that dominate and define my life and my living--to put into writing the life, the friends, the philosophies, the themes, the dreams, the communities, that are cradling me.

When I decided to create an 'official' blog, life wasn't going exactly great. Jen and I had bought a car in hopes that we could have a low payment and little maintenance costs while living within our means and paying off some debts. About a year later, the transmission decided to go out. We knew that the cost would be upwards of three thousand--money far outside our monthly pay and savings. Several mechanics and friends told us to contact the maker and file a claim for aid(since the transmission should not have failed). As it turned out, if our transmission had been replaced when we bought the car, it would have been under warranty but after a couple of weeks of deliberating with the maker and claims department, Jen and I didn't receive an extra penny or an apology. I was enraged. I asked myself why I would ever buy a car from this company again (they make some of the best and most reliable cars). I knew I could make this company pay if I was persistent in vindicating my unanswered pleas.

Emotional and stressed to the point of having high blood pressure and feeling like I was going to vomit, I embarked on a trip to see a friend in Oklahoma. Wondering where the money was going to come from and how to treat this company weighed my mind. Needless to say, I was paying no attention to my speed and hit 81 in a 60. When the cop pulled me over, I was on the verge of tears. The few times I have found myself in that position, I usually smile and say, "I know" but this time was different. I begged the officer for mercy and told him why I was speeding--that I was upset about my wife's car and the transmission I had to replace. He laughed. Then he proceeded in the most condescending despising tone and 'tude I had not known in years. I was humiliated.

As I pulled off, my heart pounding out of my chest, I knew there was only one thing I was able to do. The echo in my head spoke soft, "forgive and you will be forgiven." I made the hard choice to loosen my grip on the sword held within my heart. I prayed and thanked Christ for the reminder--the reminder that this is what I do--I let it go because I was let go. This was a reminder of a much deeper pain I had felt before and a greater debt I once had to forgive. I asked the Lord to please help me to always remember that when one asks for mercy, that I would gladly give it. Man can be unjust and unmerciful but let not that man be me!

I met up with my friend and vented my issues to him and told him about my resolve. Before I left, he gave me the money to pay for the ticket (among other generous acts that he did). He knew too that this is our way--the way of the cross--pain & forgiveness for enduring joys in a God who does not abandon us.

So this is my transmission. This is why I am blogging. That I might work out the joys of this life that is the Christ life--living life while following after Christ. One day, I just might catch up to him.



I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. Joel 2:25