Grits, Theology, Mission, and Life

I shouldn’t be surprised that politics moves at the same speed as the rest of our culture.  It has been about a week since the republican debate but I am sure that you haven’t seen a new story or highlight from it since the weekend.  It seems the winds of culture blow and so what we want is the now.

But, after thinking about it for a little bit I have a few comments on the debate and what I think it says about our culture.  So I writing this even though its yesterday’s news.

First – the format
I have to admit I turned on the debate not because I was deeply invested in the candidates, their positions, or even the future of our country.  I initially tuned in because I wanted to be entertained.  After Mitt Romney and an animated snowman got into a verbal war I wanted to see if it would continue.  But I guess it got too hot because the snowman was no where to be seen.  I think the fact that youtube has become a force in culture and politics is interesting.  We want democracy and want it as pure and direct as possible but I have to admit the fact that everyone can speak doesn’t necessarily raise the level of discourse.  I am glad that a few have exhausted their 15 minutes of fame.

Second – the questioners
I can’t tell you how many times I have been told that living in Huntsville that it’s not LA.  LA is seen by some as the “left” coast.  Outside of New York it is the place where all things debase are seen to originate.  However, I would submit that because of confluence of cultures there are more similarities then most acknowledge.  Case in point: There was a question about what will these candidates do to repair our reputation in the Muslim world.  It was asked by a Muslim woman.  From where you ask? from LA – no, from New York – no, from Atlanta – no, from Dearborn – no.  She was from Huntsville, AL.  While we may have southern roots, be in a baptist burned over district, and have suburban family values we are not monolithic, all-white, all-christian as we think.  The sooner we see and understand this diversity the more our eyes can be opened to what God may want to do in and through us in this place!

Also, we don’t have to bring God into the election or public life –  He’s already in the middle of it.  I am fearful too at times to speak about God but what continues to make me see our post-modern times as one of opportunity is that God is being brought into the public, open discussion – like presidential politics (and movies – check out this great article).  It seems like it is no longer “off-limits”.  While, I don’t think that post-modern “spirituality” is Biblical Christianity there is a path, an opening to begin the conversations.

Final – our response
I really don’t like talking about politics.  Not because I don’t have a view or I am a mushy republican.  But because I fear that sometimes we create fences to the gospel.  I don’t want my politics to be a hindrance to people understanding that the righteous creator God of the universe stands as their enemy outside of the substitutionary gift of Christ.  It has little to do if I have an R or D behind my name in the voting booth.  One thing that this year will bring is an increase in side taking.  But I am praying that we can communicate that R or D side taking is not a requirement of the gospel.