edwardmurphy wrote:I'm wondering what people think about
this article. Is Christianity Today a respected publication?
This paragraph stood out for me:
Enthusiasm for a candidate like Trump gives our neighbors ample reason to doubt that we believe Jesus is Lord. They see that some of us are so self-interested, and so self-protective, that we will ally ourselves with someone who violates all that is sacred to us—in hope, almost certainly a vain hope given his mendacity and record of betrayal, that his rule will save us.
I've definitely had that thought a time or two, usually paired with the thought that some folks around here are really high strung about this stuff when it seems like they should be serene in the knowledge of their salvation.
Many hail Trump as an American Messiah who'll free the US from the grip the tyranny, that he'll judge and put the whole establishment on trial, restore America. I'm sure there will be positive things done, with the backing he's got. I'd have much less confidence in Trump, if he didn't have the likes of Pence beside him -- and perhaps that's a main reason Trump chose him as his running mate because he knows he has a trust issue.
Nonetheless, no matter the media, they can't be trusted. They're opinion pieces, and one should always look for signs cross-stream rather than fully downstream with any one source or group of like-minded sources.
To respond to how we as Christians should be "serene in the knowledge of salvation", Christian living isn't about about being serene, although many sell such a message i.e., "
Give your life to Christ, and he'll take way all your problems." Placing one's life in Christ's hands comes with greater expectation and responsibility by God:
to love God and love others. Do we really give our life to Christ and as such God, or don't we?
Instead, we are promised trials and even tribulation (James 1:2-18):
- 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and ysin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Yet, despite such tests, Romans 8:28 says:
- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.