THE GREAT DIVIDE EMERGES AGAIN

Your missionary to Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, Rob Schenck, reporting:

Back in the 80's and 90's I was on the front lines of the "War of the World Views." Some of us as Christian activists literally faced-off with our opponents across police tape. It was the shifting of the tectonic cultural plates: the Christian view with God and His rule as the order for all things against the secular view that places the "me, myself and I" as the center of all things. The result was a spiritual, moral and social earthquake. The conflict sometimes physically manifested itself, most grotesquely when they dragged us into the street, spit and urinated on us and snuffed out their cigarette butts in our hair. Of course, our side lost its moral sensibilities, too, when a few so-called "Christian pro-lifers" gunned down abortionists. 

Thank God those days have passed. Yet, those tectonic plates remain in place and another quake lurks just beneath the surface. Tremors have already been felt, and more will register tonight as another presidential debate is watched by a record number of viewers. To be sure, there are huge political differences in this race--and in other, lesser contests around the country. Those differences go to the economy, security, healthcare, and on and on. The real divide, though, goes back to that worldview. It's how people actually see the big--much bigger--picture: Is God's Kingdom something He maintains in His Heaven and visits on us by our recognition of His rule? Or, is the Kingdom of God something we are responsible to build and maintain ourselves here on earth?

This is a huge and all-encompassing question. It goes to the underlying question of who is in charge? Are we ultimately masters of our own destiny? Or, is it God's plan and purpose that will determine what happens to us and to our country? (For that matter, all people and all countries.)

The way I read the Scriptures, it's a little of both, but one always comes out on top. Take a guess. Yes, of course, it's God. As Jesus instructed us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven." Our part is to pray and to obey. God has already constructed His kingdom. It's our job to live in it here on earth through our obedience to His will and ways. 

The question tonight as the two candidates ramble on is, Which one understands this transcendent principle? Which one gets how things really work? Which one has the right worldview, even if their actions in light of it are at best imperfect? 

As I've been asked by countless people how they might chose the right candidate--not just for president, but on all levels of government, from the school board, to city and county councils, to governor and state legislators, to Congress--the best answer I can give is to go directly to the Bible. My brother, Paul, and I have crafted a guideline for picking the right kind of civil leaders taken straight from Deuteronomy 17: 14 - 20. To get your copy of it and circulate it to others, go to (link will be available soon--check back).

In fact, keep that passage open and in front of you as you watch the debate tonight. It may be the only thing that will help you to make sense of what your hear from either candidate.

Let me know what you think after it's over. Thanks.

Your grateful missionary,

Rob +

Rev. Rob Schenck

Faith and Action

www.faithandaction.org

109 2nd St, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-546-8329