The Godfather, part 4
Dobson calls out a hit on Specter: "He is a problem, and he must be derailed." How much do you want to bet Senator Specter gets a horse head in his bed before the end of the month?
And then there's that pesky Paul with his completely irrelevant bit of advice: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." [1 Timothy 2]
But my guess is that Dobson doesn't mean 'derail' in the intercessional sense.
Maybe Dobson thinks he is merely standing up for what's right. I don't know the man, so I can't guess at his real motives. But it has always been true that when the Church has stopped transforming society from the inside, the temptation to political power and influence becomes great. It can't be a good sign when religious affiliation becomes just another political demographic.
Remind me again...what was that passage about "in the world but not of the world..."?
4 Comments:
It is interesting how Pastors call for different things from people in response to different leaders.
When Bush was running us to war...we were told to "trust our leaders, defer to their leadership as ordained by God" When Spector speaks his mind, we are told to "derail him". When Clinton is in office, there was nothing short of an all out assault...
I'll bet you guys wouldn't be all up in arms if Dobsen had said we need to "Derail the war in Iraq". Or maybe if he had said we must "Derail Bush's economic policies that are having an ill effect on the poor of our country."
Also, I'll bet that Dobsen has said more prayers for Arlen Specter than I have. I KNOW he has. What about you?
While we're at it - does anyone really think that Bush should not act out of his Christian beliefs and relationship with God? I don't think his religious affiliation is a political demographic except to his opponents. His opponents are the ones that would seem to prefer someone with a carton of "vanilla" religion - who won't take risks or take a stand on important issues that many in the country disagree with. I'll bet vanilla is John Kerry's favorite flavor. I'm not saying Bush is perfect, but please let's not critique his attempt at moral actions while giving Clinton the glowing report he doesn't deserve in the same breath.
O.K. I think I got it out of my system. ;-)
Nice. Hope your system feels better.
You're certainly correct that I wouldn't be up in arms if Dobson said that. In fact, I would probably consider it some sort of miracle of God. I might even venture to say that Dobson had found salvation. :)
OK I'm kidding. In fact, I believe it's our moral responsibility to finish what we started in Iraq. I think it was wrong to start the war but I think it would be even worse to abandon it now that we've blown up everything. I support and respect Bush's determination to finish the job.
I admit I haven't been praying much for Specter or any other elected officials. But I should be. And I probably should be praying for Dobson too, but that's a little harder for me.
I agree that it is appropriate for Bush to act on his convictions. Some of his convictions I agree with and support. But there are more of them that I disagree with. And I think he gets his own ideas confused with God's sometimes. It is true that a good leader is focused and determined even in the face of opposition, but it is also true that a good leader listens to the wisdom of good counsel.
HEY! I like vanilla!
All seriousness aside...I saw a funny bumper sticker when I was in Colorado Springs. It said, "Focus on you OWN damn family."
You have to admit that's priceless.
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