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 A secular columnist putting her finger on truth concerning the church?

April 5, 2009

Kathleen Parker

Christians at the gate

Is the Christian right finished as a political entity? Or, more to the point, are principled Christians finished with politics?

These questions have been getting fresh air lately as frustrated conservative Christians question the pragmatism -- defined as the compromising of principles -- of the old guard.

One might gently call the current debate a generational rift.

The older generation, represented by such icons as James Dobson, who recently retired as head of Focus on the Family, has compromised too much, according to a growing phalanx of disillusioned Christians. Pragmatically speaking, the Christian coalition of cultural crusaders didn't work.

For proof, look no further than Dobson himself, who was captured on tape recently saying that the big cultural battles have all been lost.

Shortly thereafter, in late March, Christian radio host Steve Deace of WHO Radio in Iowa aggressively interviewed Tom Minnery, head of the political arm of Focus on the Family. Minnery, whom Deace described as "the Karl Rove of the religious right," accused Deace during the interview of ambushing him when he had expected a chat about Dobson's legacy.

Indeed, Deace was loaded for bear -- or Pontius Pilate. It wasn't exactly a Limbaugh/Obama matchup, but it was confrontational, and corners of America's heartland and Bible Belt have been buzzing ever since.

Deace's point was that established Christian activist groups too often settle for lesser evils in exchange for electing Republicans. He cited as examples Dobson's support of Mitt Romney and John McCain, neither of whom is pro-life or pro-family enough from Deace's perspective.

Compromise may be the grease of politics, but it has no place in Christian orthodoxy, according to Deace.

Put another way, Christians may have no place in the political fray of dealmaking. That doesn't mean one disengages from political life, but it might mean that the church shouldn't be a branch of the Republican Party. It might mean trading green rooms and fundraisers for humility and charity.

Deace's radio show may be beneath the radar of most Americans and even most Christians, but he is not alone in his thinking. I was alerted to the Deace-Minnery interview by E. Ray Moore -- founder of the South Carolina-based Exodus Mandate, an initiative to encourage Christian education and home-schooling. Moore, who considers himself a member of the Christian right, thinks the movement is imploding.

"It's hard to admit defeat, but this one was self-inflicted," he wrote in an e-mail. "Yes, Dr. Dobson and the pro-family or Christian right political movement is a failure; it would have made me sad to say this in the past but they have done it to themselves."

For Christians such as Moore -- and others better known, such as columnist Cal Thomas, a former vice president for the Moral Majority -- the heart of Christianity is in the home, not the halls of Congress or even the courts. And the route to a more-moral America is through good works -- service, prayer and education -- not political lobbying.

Moore says: "In the modern era of the Christian right, we have traded these proven methods for a mess of pottage ... and often in a shrill and nagging manner, which makes our God look weak in the eyes of the world."

Amen to that, says Thomas, who made similar points in his 1999 book "Blinded by Might," co-written with Moral Majority platform architect Ed Dobson. Thomas, who speaks with a stand-up comic's clip (and wit), has long maintained that the religious right is in left field.

"If people who call themselves Christians want to see any influence in the culture, then they ought to start following the commands of Jesus and people will be so amazed that they will be attracted to Him," Thomas told me. "The problem isn't political. The problem is moral and spiritual."

Whether James Dobson's admission of failure -- or Deace's challenges to Minnery -- foretells a crackup of the older Christian right remains to be seen. But something is stirring, and it sounds like the GOP may be losing its bailout money. God apparently has his own stimulus plan.

"You have the choice between a way that works and brings no credit or money or national attention," says Thomas. "Or, a way that doesn't work that gets you lots of attention and has little influence on the culture."

It is hard to imagine a political talk show without a self-appointed moral arbiter bemoaning the lack of family values in America.

But, do let us try.

Kathleen Parker writes for the Orlando Sentinel. Her column is distributed by the Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th NW, Washington, DC 20071. You can reach her at [email protected].


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David Winter

 2009/4/5 10:17Profile
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 Re: A secular columnist putting her finger on truth concerning the church?

Quote:
"If people who call themselves Christians want to see any influence in the culture, then they ought to start following the commands of Jesus and people will be so amazed that they will be attracted to Him," Thomas told me. "The problem isn't political. The problem is moral and spiritual."



This is very true that Christians are part of the Kingdom of God and should not be considered actively part of politics as a means to spread this kingdom. We need to be the "church" and the world will then be attracted to us. Our power is with God and not with people or positions or power.


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 Re: A secular columnist putting her finger on truth concerning the church?

When we used to get our local paper, I think Kathleen Parker had a good view on things most times. I really enjoyed reading her view and I have had a tough time verbalizing this area of politics without offending people. My pastor puts it in a graceful way that "If God's tells you to vote then vote, but don't lower yourself to endorsing a man that you don't know to do God's work in men" This is not a perfect quote, but close. Another brother says just to be careful that you don't become more political than you are spiritual. IIChron 7:14 is God's perfect plan for transforming our land. She captured this idea pretty well. I sent a note of encouragement to her as I'm sure that she will draw plenty of criticism. Thanks again and God Bless,

Barry


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Barry Voss

 2009/4/5 13:08Profile
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 Re: A secular columnist putting her finger on truth concerning the church?

Link: [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/03/AR2009040303026.html]Political Pullback for the Christian Right?[/url]

Quote:
April 5, 2009
Kathleen Parker
[i]Put another way, Christians may have no place in the political fray of dealmaking. That doesn't mean one disengages from political life, [b]but it might mean that the church shouldn't be a branch of the Republican Party.[/b] It might mean trading fame and fortune (green rooms and fundraisers) for humility and charity.[/i]



This was my favorite quote (as well as the ones mentioned). The church should NOT be a branch of the Republican Party. I have friends (who I've never asked), but it seems like that they are Republicans (or conservatives) first and Christians second. This ought not to be.

That's my two cents for the week!!

God bless,


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Lisa

 2009/4/5 18:08Profile
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 Re: A secular columnist putting her finger on truth concerning the church?

quote;
"For proof, look no further than Dobson himself, who was captured on tape recently saying that the big cultural battles have all been lost."

Maybe yes maybe no.

But the amazing moral debacle in the leadership of the church seems to be simply winked at by most Christians,further adding to the "lost generation of youth."

 2009/4/6 1:01Profile
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 Re: Being a "conservative Christian" has somewhat worn me out

Under Newt Gingrich, the "conservatives" gained control of the House of Represenatives and the Senate for the first time since World War II and they made very friendly overtures and endorsements of the Christian leaders and things seemed fine. I never bought completely into the political aspect that many of the Christian leaders seemed to be advocating but I thought it didn't hurt to have these type of people in government. Among other things, these conservatives ended up spending more money with abandon than those spenders they criticized and they ended up giving away all the gains they had made in about 10 years. Some of the pudgy thrice married figures that seem to be their rock star leaders now while they flail about leaves something to be desired in my mind. They want to be forgiven and for everyone to jump back on the bandwagon. I never thought it was the complete answer in the first place but I really don't have any desire to help restore conservative politics to America right now. I don't know what that all means but that's the way I feel.

If pursuing moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perservance, godliness and brotherly kindness (II Peter 1) and believing society is better off with these virtues makes me a social conservative Christian then so be it. I'm not wanting to wrap much more around it except the kingdom at this point.

I don't necessarily feel like I'm ranting. I'm just expressing a certain weariness (and wariness) I feel right now.




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David Winter

 2009/4/9 10:35Profile





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