"Bush's God" by Robert Reich
The true battle will be between modern civilization and anti-modernists; between those who believe in the primacy of the individual and those who believe that human beings owe their allegiance and identity to a higher authority; [primacy of God]
Clearly the left leaning individuals have a different set of priorities and a very different world view than the president or me. They are consumed by the power of the individual on social issues, but not on economic issues (see definition of communism). In contrast, the right leaning individuals would be concerned about the moral community on social issues (see definition of morality) and taking personal economic responsibility. Of course across the board the motivations for this world view are not the same.
However, my motivation for this world view does flow out of my faith and my allegiance to not only “Bush’s God”, but my own Lord and Savior who are all one and the same. First and foremost, I am a citizen of the City of God, of a holy nation. I would never put my citizenship to America above this and I would never put my president above my God. This is something that a non-believer, someone who denies the existence of God or does not believe in His sovereignty would find to be a rather misguided world view.
While this is the basis for my priorities and I would not equate conservative or republican with Christianity, I do support our president as a Christian man. While not a perfect man, he does have a core set of values based on Scripture as truth that he adheres to. In contrast, his opponents do not adhere to any set of core values.
I appreciate the need for balance between living in this world and not being of this world. I appreciate the view that we need to preach the Gospel more and that God’s word is ultimately the answer to the world’s woes. However, I also believe that Christians need to be significantly engaged in this world, in order to bring the Gospel message. I believe we need to support and defend Christian leaders in all scopes and spheres of this world that God has created.
I do not see that great of a difference between the words Reformation and Revolution, at least not in the context of Christendom and politics. I see any godly reformation as being a revolt against that which is ungodly.
Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:32-39)
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17: 11-23)
If we are to believe these words, then we need to be prepared to defend that which is Christ-like while not replacing Christ himself. We need to remember that this world is only temporary and no government is greater than God. We are in this world, but we are of Christ. This means that we are a new creation in Christ, that being born of the spirit has justified ("just as if we had never sinned", Rev. Kidwell) our birth in the flesh. God’s purposes for us are greater than this world that we see, but He has still placed us here for very specific reasons, so we live out our lives here, with a look to that greater purpose.
Robert Reich doesn’t understand this.
“…between those who believe in science, reason, and logic and those who believe that truth is revealed through Scripture and religious dogma. Terrorism will disrupt and destroy lives. But terrorism itself is not the greatest danger we face.”
He sets science, reason and logic apart from Scripture and the truths found in God. He believes that he can remove God from our lives. How foolish is it to try to remove that which is our parents from that which is us?
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Additional reading: FAITH UNDER FIRE