One thing that really gets me is how conservative evangelicals are having so much trouble deciding for McCain. Okay, so we didn't get Mohler on the ticket, let's move on. It is clear that a consistent Southern Baptist can't vote for a pro-choice, pro-gay rights universalist like Obama, so why the debate? That will kill us if we don't get over it. James Dobson and whomever else thinks that they have to crown the Republican nominee before he's legitimate need to get on board or they are going to give a backdoor victory to the left this election. And with Obama in office you can kiss all of the conservative in-roads, as well as your religious liberties goodbye (look at Europe, that's what's coming if we get Barack!).

Ed,
I heard your talk at the Innovate Conference this week and I wanted to say "Thanks" and "Great Job." In light of your comments about Acts 1:8 and eschatology, I wanted to share an example of the word "iroic." When the rapture happens, wouldn't it be ironic if Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye were LEFT BEHIND... Just an ironic thought. I'm not commenting on their spiritual condition, I'm just saying it would be an interesting example of irony in my feeble attempt at humor. Since I minister less than five miles outside the beltway of DC, I must reserve all political comments, or the thought police will come get me.

What Jonathon and many others fail to recognize is that Democrats will SAY anything. Barack Obama is trying to convince conservative audiences that he is pro-life and pro-marriage (between only a man and a woman), but his record speaks differently about what his true convictions are. It is important to look at what a person does rather than just what they say. Obama has a record that proves his extreme leftist/socialist leanings. Don't be taken in by the pretty words and excellent acting abilities.

This is my first post comment. I do not believe Jonathan Merritt is saying he would support Obama so much as he is saying he could support the Democratic party if they embraced traditional marriage and sanctity of life. It's time for us to see that the issues of social justice are out there and young evangelicals are tired to giving them to the extreme left. Bravo Jonathan and thanks Ed for sharing the story.

What scares me about the younger evangelical generation (and I consider myself in that group... I'm 28) is that we seem to be lacking an overall biblical worldview in relation to things like politics and government. It's not just about one or two issues. It's not just about abortion or gay rights or poverty (although those are all paramount issues), it's about an understanding of the proper role of government and its limitations. As a Christian, I care about the poor, but I don't ever think it will be the government who provides the best solution to poverty. It will be churches, charities, individuals. I am of the belief that the government exists mainly to punish the law-breaker and protect the law-abiding citizen; therefore, even if the Democratic Party (who seemingly thinks the government is the answer to everything) took up a pro-life, pro-marriage stance, it would not be enough to win my vote. The issue is not who cares about the poor the most... The issue is who do we think is best suited to meet the needs of the poor... With every issue, we should ask ourselves: Does this fall under the proper jurisdiction of the government? And don't get me wrong, the Republican Party has by no means been consistent or effective in promoting small/limited government but they do usually come closer than the Democrats.

I like the sign captured by photo at the Innovate Church Conference. I wonder, was there any discussion about partnerships between simple and traditional churches?

That is an awesome picture!

Politics is like mustard. You're not sure why you eat it, but when you do, it always leaves a stain!

The conversation on your previous blog just shows me that pastors like to fuss and argue worse than the ladies auxiliary meeting about this years bake sale.

Ed, it's time we figure out Galatians 6 again. As a church planter that is prepping for launch in October, how do we ensure this happens?

Be Blessed!

Bryan

I don't see how limited government is a biblical principle. I agree with what Kelley said to a certain extent about the limitations of government. That is why I am leaning toward Obama. After watching for years the attempts to elect a conservative president who is anti-abortion and anti-gay rights, I have come to the conclusion that the government is powerless to stop abortion and homosexuality. While we would like for them to be within the governments purview, history tells me they are not. Only changed lives and hearts can do those things. I refuse to elect a president on those two issues only and disregard his judgement on all other issues. Besides, even if homosexuality and abortion were outlawed completely, do any of us really think they would stop? or would the government spend incredible amounts of money trying to police such measures? Don't get me wrong, I respect John Mccain as a politician. I just don't know if he would actually further the causes he is paying lip service to. As to abortion, I tend to think we would actually see less of them if we take better care of the poor than if we reversed Roe V. Wade. Ultimately, I want to elect the best leader of the country who will provide the most peaceful, orderly society. The rest, changing people's hearts and minds, that is up to the Holy Spirit and us as His instruments. If we make abortions unnecessary and homosexuality undesirable, what the government does will be mute.

Er, make that last word "moot", lol

When any group of people blindly follows one party the party takes advantage of their vote. If evangelicals dialog with the left and start heading that way then conservatives are going to wake up and cater again to this voting block.

Todd,

I think that many evangelicals are having a hard time deciding for two reasons:

1. Because they have generally voted Republican since 1980 and they believe they have little to show for it. They believe that every four years the Republicans talk about abortion and gay marriage, but nothing happens other than the Republicans (often) win the election with the evangelical vote.

2. Because they distrust McCain for several reasons that others have already listed elsewhere.

Ed,
I certainly agree with you on both points (though I've only been able to vote Republican since 2003). John McCain definately wasn't my first choice (it was actually Romney, for full disclosure), but in sizing up the two men I see little that can be found redeeming for evangelicals in Obama. I've been watching him ever since he burst on the scene in Fall 2004 and all I've seen is a shape-shifting career politician who stands to the left of everybody in Washington on anything that matters.

Just take Saturday night alone. He is pro-choice but not pro-abortion. Yet, the way he defines not being pro-abortion is by wanting to restrict some late term disposals. By any stretch of the imagination that has to be defined as pro-abortion. At 7 months (late stage) a child is capable of having a viable birth. Even his own record belies his comments. While a state senator in Illinois, three times he voted to strike down a bill which would have made it illegal for a mother to complete an abortion of her baby if the child was accidentally born alive! (It was called the Born Alive Infants Protection Act).

Beyond abortion, I think that Christians have to see through the poor people issue as well. As both candidates affirmed Saturday, religious organizations do more to help the poor and struggling in America than the government. And since the election of democrats in the Congress and the White House hasn't done much for poor people either in that time, I don't think we should expect to see a change in this anytime soon. What an Obama presidency would almost assuredly do though is led to more constraints on said religious organizations in the name of "equality" and "anti-discrimination." This type of secularization would hamstring them until they were no different than any other failed social justice group.

An excellent book I read which spoke right to how I see Obama the candidate is Natan Sharansky's "Defending Identity." Reading it you can see how Obama perfectly fits the postmodern, post-identity mindset and how his embracing of this role could lead to many problems for the American people.

(Speaking of books, Ed, when is the earliest that one could get ahold of "Lost and Found"? I can't wait to read it, but I've seen some sites say it won't be out until as late as April 2009(!) If you have a few copies laying around I would be more than happy to take one off your hands :) ).