Friday, March 4, 2016

Max Lucado Calls for Decency in Presidential Race

© 2016 The Wired Word
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Max Lucado is a widely known pastor both in San Antonio where his church is and across America, thanks to his best-selling books -- 32 at last count. Because of his broad appeal,Christianity Today, in 2004, called him "America's Pastor." One factor that has contributed to that appeal has been his practice of staying out of politics. He has never endorsed or opposed a candidate and seldom commented on a political situation. But last week, he broke his political silence.
Lucado did that in a blog post (first link in the list below) on his personal website -- not his church's site -- where he lauded decency and observed that it isn't doing well in the presidential race. He then singled out Donald Trump as a prime offender, citing several examples.
Going on to explain why he had decided to break from his usual silence about politics, Lucado wrote, "I'm a pastor. I don't endorse candidates or place bumper stickers on my car. But I am protective of the Christian faith. If a public personality calls on Christ one day and calls someone a 'bimbo' the next, is something not awry? And to do so, not once, but repeatedly? Unrepentantly? Unapologetically? Can we not expect a tone that would set a good example for our children? We stand against bullying in schools. Shouldn't we do the same in presidential politics?"
Pastor Lucado did acknowledge concerns about decency standards of other candidates as well, but said, "When it comes to language, Mr. Trump is in a league of his own."
Applying the News Story
The Wired Word, in reporting this story, does not intend it as an endorsement of or opposition to any candidate. We are interested, however, in Lucado's statement that he is "protective of the Christian faith." After the content of his blog post was picked up and reported on by some major media outlets, Christianity Today interviewed Lucado about his decision to go public with his concerns (second link in the list below). Lucado acknowledged, "People don't attend church to hear my views on a presidential candidate."
He went on to explain, however, that "In this case, it's not so much a question about particular policies or strategies about government or even particular opinions. It's a case of public derision of people. It's belittling people publicly. It would be none of my business, I would have absolutely no right to speak up except that [Trump] repeatedly brandishes the Bible and calls himself a Christian."
Of course, for a politician to call himself or herself a Christian and behave in an ungodly manner is not unusual. The same criticism might be leveled at many other politicians. In fact, when we’re being honest with ourselves, we are likely to see the same pattern in our own lives at times.
More on this story can be found at these links:
The Big Questions
1. Is the realm of politics so different from the rest of life that the usual practices of decorum, decency, sincerity and honesty shouldn't apply? Why, why not or to what extent?
2. How do you define Christianity?
3. Lucado said, "I would have absolutely no right to speak up except that [Trump] repeatedly brandishes the Bible and calls himself a Christian." Does your commitment to Christ and your understanding of the Christian faith obligate you to speak up when a public figure self-identifies as a Christian and then frequently speaks or behaves in ways that you deem un-Christian? How much does your own politics agreeing or disagreeing with the public figure’s policies affect your actions -- and in what ways?
4. Do pastors, who by their very position are spokespersons for Christianity, have a greater obligation to comment when public figures insist they are Christians but speak or behave in ways that seem to defy that claim? How can you do that without seeming to single out a candidate or party?
5. Might Christ call a Christian to speak out in such circumstances? How might you identify such a call in your own life?
6. Given that none of us who follow Jesus does so perfectly, where is the line where one's claim to be a Christian becomes not believable?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Jeremiah 6:27 
I have made you a tester and a refiner among my people so that you may know and test their ways. (For context, read 6:26-30.)
Romans 12:4, 6-8 
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, …. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, … ministry, ... the teacher, … the exhorter, ... the giver, … the leader, ... the compassionate, .... (For context, read 12:3-8.)
In the Jeremiah 6 verse God identified for Jeremiah part of the role God had called him to. The prophet was, among other things, to be "a tester and a refiner among my people" to "test their ways."
In the Romans 12 verses, Paul makes clear that not everyone is called to the same functions. But it seems to us that the idea of testing and refining does belong to those whom God calls to be prophets, exhorters and teachers.
Questions: Given that God has given different spiritual gifts to different people, do you think all -- or any -- pastors are called to comment on the political scene? Are some? Why or why not? Do you ever tell pastors to stick to preaching about salvation and holiness because you don't want to be challenged about your political opinions? Do you ever tell pastors to stick to preaching about salvation and holiness because you consider that the church's primary purpose? Do you ever tell pastors that for some other reason, and if so, what other reason?
Do you have individuals (perhaps termed deacons or elders) who are laity called to special ministries, who might be qualified to address such issues without involving the pastor?
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God .... (For context, read 4:1-6.)
Here John seems to be addressing his entire audience, the whole church, when he tells them to "test the spirits."
Questions: To what degree do you think this verse ought to be applied when thinking about who we will vote for? Do you test the Spirit as an individual? As a church or Sunday school group? What do you consider the best forum to test a spirit?
2 Timothy 1:14 
Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. (For context, read 1:8-14.)
This is an instruction from Paul to Timothy, while the latter was serving as a spiritual leader in the church. The "good treasure" that Paul tells Timothy to guard is the Christian faith, and the underlying Greek means "a fine deposit." The idea of faith as a deposit is a move from the Gospels' understanding of faith as trust in Christ to also include what the church teaches aboutChrist -- that is, Christianity itself.
Questions: What does it mean to "guard" the faith? Could it mean to point out when someone's claim to be a Christian is not supported by that person's speech and actions?
Luke 6:45 (NIV)
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (For context, read 6:43-45.)
James 3:6 
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. (For context, read 3:1-12.)
Luke 6:45 is the Bible verse Lucado cited in his blog after commenting on Trump's speech.
It seems to us that James 3:6 might also be cited regarding much of what's being said by political candidates.
Questions: How do you apply these verses when thinking about your own comments in favor of or opposed to a presidential candidate?
Folksinger Carrie Newcomer wrote a song a few years ago titled "Don’t Click Send," warning against sending out your thoughts too quickly in a digital age because they can't be retrieved. Do you ever think in such terms with regards to what you say? Has anything you said in an unguarded moment taken on a digital life of its own? Or a verbal life, carried along by gossip and retelling, transforming your original statement into something different?
1 Peter 1:14-15 
Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct …. (For context, read 1:13-25.)
In his blog, Lucado wrote, "The stock explanation for Mr. Trump's success is this: He has tapped into the anger of the American people. As one man said, 'We are voting with our middle finger.' Sounds more like a comment for a gang fight than a presidential election. Anger-fueled reactions have caused trouble ever since Cain was angry at Abel."
On the other hand, anger -- mainly that of Christians -- led to the abolishment of slavery. Perhaps anger, like other emotions, is morally neutral; as an encourager, it really depends upon what the anger is about and whether or not it is kept in check by other, more rational, considerations.
Questions: How do you apply these verses about being holy to yourself as a citizen? as a voter? as a follower of Jesus? When, if ever, is "middle-finger" voting acceptable for followers of Jesus? When and how can anger be channeled for good purposes? What role, if any, should anger have in the political process? in our decisions regarding the selection of civic leaders?
For Further Discussion
1. In the Christianity Today interview with Lucado, he said, "There was a time in Iowa when [Trump] said 'I'm a Christian,' and somebody asked about forgiveness and he said 'I've never asked God for forgiveness.' I can't imagine that. I'm just shaking my head going "How does that work?" ... How does a person claim to be a Christian and never need to ask for forgiveness?" 
     The self-esteem of politicians is well known, and Trump is not alone. Michael Bloomberg once stated, "I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven, I'm not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’'s not even close."
     Is asking God for forgiveness an essential component of becoming a Christian? Explain your answer.
2. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13, especially verses 6-7 -- "When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, 'Surely the LORD's anointed is now before the LORD.' But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'" 
     What does God look for in choosing a leader? What do mortals look at? How can we learn to look on the heart as God does?
3. In his blog post, Lucado compared a voter evaluating a candidate with a father trying to decide whether a potential dater of his daughter was "decent." Should our standards for one selection process be the same as our standards for the other process? More or less stringent? Explain your position.
Responding to the News
Perhaps the one thing Lucado said in his blog that all Christians can quickly agree on is that we should pray regarding the election. That we can and should do. It would be good to also pray for clarity in our process of discerning for whom we should vote.
Closing Prayer
O God, help us to know as followers of your Son, how and when we should speak out about the affairs of this world. Inspire us regarding our liberty to vote that we may use it in accordance with your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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