Carnivorous Caribou: A Believer's Approach to 2008

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

A Believer's Approach to 2008

As I was thinking about the New Year, here were some thoughts that came to mind. As we enter 2008, the believer should be:

5 Comments:

At 5:34 PM, brother_barabbas said…

Doesn't thought #5 conflict with thoughts 6 & 7? Sure, Proverbs 16 says that 'wicked kings' are 'an abomination', but it doesn't say we should engage our carnal powers to change it, does it? And how can we 'look for a presidential candidate with character' while 'viewing the election through God's sovereignty'? Don't the two ideas contradict one another by nature? If we are 'confident our salvation is not in this government anyway' why would we spend any time/energy/emotion looking for ANY presidential candidates?

Btw, I really like the idea you promoted of being 'disappointed that Christ didn't come in 2007'. It actually caused tears to form in my eyes the first time I heard it from your lips.
At 9:52 PM, Brad said…

Brother B,

Greetings. I'm curious to know what you do for a living. Comfortable sharing online?
At 9:52 PM, danny2 said…

interesting thoughts...however:

i don't believe #5 conflicts with 6 &7 for a number of reasons:

a) the link to proverbs 16 is about far more than wicked kings. it's about God's desire that rulers show justice and righteousness. therefore, rather than focusing on policy/platform alone, i believe it is every Christian voters responsibility to consider who shows the understanding and track record that pursues justice and righteousness.

b) of course it doesn't say we should engage our carnal powers to change wicked kings. (what do you even mean by carnal powers...surely you're not calling voting that?) if you are referring to voting, proverbs understandably would not speak on this issue...since you don't vote for kings.

c) my friend, perhaps this is why you resisted monergism for quite a while. being the evangelist you are, it probably seemed like an emphasis on sovereignty reduces the need for witnessing. i pray in your time at Grace you have seen that is hardly the case. in God's sovereignty, He uses the actions of men to establish His purposes. it is because i can trust His sovereign working (including His placing me in a democratic republic) that gives me the desire to vote.

d) if you have any hobbies (like blogging, let's say), you may have to ask what the point would be. you could even go further, asking "what is the point of eating?" for it only delays the inevitable...which the believer shouldn't be dreading anyway?

but think of it this way. if you could somehow help decide who the warden would be at the jail you minister...and you knew one would welcome evangelism, while the other is hostile toward God....would you have any motivation to see a certain warden approved. (now, ask yourself questions about items like "israeli relations" and "sanctity of life", etc.)

in an ironic twist...the faith tradition you came from may frown on political voting, but found themselves constantly voting on other items...non of which had near the significance of the items above.)

perhaps we won't be here for the primaries/election anyway.

speaking of...there was actually a time when i would have been disappointed HAD the Lord returned...i'm thrilled that He has caused me to increase in anticipation and hope for His return.

here's to the hope that we don't see much of 08!
At 3:04 PM, Brad said…

Never mind, Brother B. Danny has already gone in the direction I was heading.
At 6:30 PM, DL said…

"i'm thrilled that He has caused me to increase in anticipation and hope for His return."

I second that and am thrilled that you're thrilled. :)

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

A Believer's Approach to 2008

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