Over the past thirty years grassroots activism has been fundamental to as well as an integral part of my life. A true believer that we could make things better. I volunteered my service in a variety of roles such as, precinct chairman, county chairman, election judge and campaign chairman for various local, state and national candidates.
However, after more than twenty years of activism the last few years (about 5) have been marked more by apathy than activism and disillusionment over dedication. Having said this, one might conclude that this post is being written with a heavy dose of skepticism and cynicism. I will admit that this is most likely true.
A recent CBS News poll found that 70% of Americans believe that Obama holds the same values as they do. The same poll found that 66% believe that McCain holds the same values as they do. Clinton was at 44%. The margin of error if plus or minus 4%. When one considers the margin for error then, the two leading candidates are dead even.
One wonders how this can be true when the two leading candidates positions appear to be opposite one another. These two men are diametrically opposed on almost every issue. How can these polls be correct? How can the American people hold such obviously contradictory positions?
I would suggest that the answer to these questions is not to be found in analyzing the candidates but the electorate. Post-modernism has become such a dominate philosophy in the last ten years that this may be truly the first post-modern election in the nations history. It is a post-modern electorate that is evaluating the candidates based upon how they feel about the candidates rather than the logical evaluation of the candidates positions. Logic in the traditional or historical context does not enter into the post-modern point of view.
This may be most true of Obama who has never clearly defined his plans or programs. He always speaks in generalities, yet the electorate in mass believe his ideas to be more like theirs than the other candidate. He speaks of change but what that means is left up to each individual to determine for himself. He is about show business (flash) and style rather than substance. Yet, a post-modern electorate is certain that it knows exactly what he stands for and believes.
In the interest of fairness McCain may not have the flash or appeal of Obama but, his positions are not clearly defined either. His positions seem to change from day to day and place to place. The only one that seems consistent is his position on the war in Iraq. Where he stands on most issues is determined by how the electorate feels about him as a person. Which is connected to his status as a prisoner of war and the things he endured and overcame during that time.
Clinton's poll numbers can be understood by what is commonly pointed out by the media. This is the fact that for some reason a majority of Americans simply dislike Clinton. Which is in itself a very post-modern point of view. It is a subjective and emotional evaluation rather than objective and logical.
In the final analysis, we will in this election get the elected officials we deserve (majority rules) just as we do every election year. Before the next four years are over there will be a significant number of the members of the electorate who will be displease with the choice that was made. A post-modern electorate will be dissatisfied with the post-modern election.
Is my cynicism and skepticism showing?
Bob
Monday, April 07, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
"A Long Walk Home" #5
Let us consider that any attempt at duplicating the New Testament church today would simply be restoring a poor imitation of the original, unless one restores the spirit of thing. The restoration of any specific church spoken of in the New Testament would be to restore a pale imitation of the ideal. The ideal church is one which Jesus desires his followers to seek. The ideal is a journey and not a destination.
There were no perfect churches during the First Century nor have there been any throughout the centuries, up to and including the current one. There is an ideal that no church in history has attained or achieved. Every church is comprised of imperfect individuals redeemed by the sacrifice of the "one and only son of God." This redeemed community should be a redemptive community.
It is this essence of the original, which gives it its substance and prevents it from being an ethereal apparition devoid of any real heart and soul. Nevertheless, the Spirit of Christ living in the individual members of the body of Christ will create a living; functioning, vibrant, giving, caring and sharing body like the one called for by the New Testament. While it will not be a perfect replica of the ideal in worship or service it, will bear its essence, nature and character because it is filled with its spirit and that Spirit is the Spirit of Christ.
Will this path leads home? Finding this elusive course is difficult. It is, nevertheless, this path that each of us should desire, that is to say, all those who wants to be a Christian like the ones who walked with Jesus. It is this simple, earnest faith that calls out to the soul set free by the blood of Jesus. Everyone who seeks to be shaped by the amazing, unfathomable grace of God will be moving in the direction of the Spirit of God.
Isaiah speaks of the joy of the redeemed and streams in the desert in chapter 35. He continues to tell of a highway that will be called the "Way of Holiness," and only the "redeemed will walk there." It is along this path that we hear the lonesome cry of a lost soul wandering across the desert of despair, seeking the golden city, the Zion of God. It is on this highway that we hear the echoes of the mournful sound from quivering lips, a woeful lament with tears stained cheeks and blood red eyes, whispering “Jerusalem, Oh! New Jerusalem,” holy city of God.
It is the challenge that faces this deeply flawed follower of Jesus. This is the yearning of the heart set free. It is a longing for a simple New Testament fellowship whose worship and service flows from a personal spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Would not the realization of a fellowship like this in our time, be at least in some measure, the restoration of New Testament Christianity?
Where, oh where can a redemptive community like this be found? The search and the journey continues for this one lonely and deeply flawed traveler. Which direction do I go or path shall I follow?
Bob
There were no perfect churches during the First Century nor have there been any throughout the centuries, up to and including the current one. There is an ideal that no church in history has attained or achieved. Every church is comprised of imperfect individuals redeemed by the sacrifice of the "one and only son of God." This redeemed community should be a redemptive community.
It is this essence of the original, which gives it its substance and prevents it from being an ethereal apparition devoid of any real heart and soul. Nevertheless, the Spirit of Christ living in the individual members of the body of Christ will create a living; functioning, vibrant, giving, caring and sharing body like the one called for by the New Testament. While it will not be a perfect replica of the ideal in worship or service it, will bear its essence, nature and character because it is filled with its spirit and that Spirit is the Spirit of Christ.
Will this path leads home? Finding this elusive course is difficult. It is, nevertheless, this path that each of us should desire, that is to say, all those who wants to be a Christian like the ones who walked with Jesus. It is this simple, earnest faith that calls out to the soul set free by the blood of Jesus. Everyone who seeks to be shaped by the amazing, unfathomable grace of God will be moving in the direction of the Spirit of God.
Isaiah speaks of the joy of the redeemed and streams in the desert in chapter 35. He continues to tell of a highway that will be called the "Way of Holiness," and only the "redeemed will walk there." It is along this path that we hear the lonesome cry of a lost soul wandering across the desert of despair, seeking the golden city, the Zion of God. It is on this highway that we hear the echoes of the mournful sound from quivering lips, a woeful lament with tears stained cheeks and blood red eyes, whispering “Jerusalem, Oh! New Jerusalem,” holy city of God.
It is the challenge that faces this deeply flawed follower of Jesus. This is the yearning of the heart set free. It is a longing for a simple New Testament fellowship whose worship and service flows from a personal spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Would not the realization of a fellowship like this in our time, be at least in some measure, the restoration of New Testament Christianity?
Where, oh where can a redemptive community like this be found? The search and the journey continues for this one lonely and deeply flawed traveler. Which direction do I go or path shall I follow?
Bob
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