Bottom line. Pastor Jones is all about writing his books, doing his “teaching” and blogging (although he intelligently decided to give this up). It’s very discouraging when the only way you can have a conversation with a Pastor is by “blogging” him. He does not feed his sheep and is very critical of Christians who claim that they “are not being fed.” See his “WHA- I’M A CHRISTIAN” blog and you will see how his negativity flows. Enough said.

In the early church days they were persecuted heavily and beaten and killed. They loved Christ and knew His love. But it seems like when Constantine came into power and allowed Christianity, things became stale. So did the persecution.

So don’t think of this incident as something bad (though I am glad no one was hurt). Think of it as something good to show that people are truley loving Christ. When this is purely shown, others will take notice. Some won’t like it because Christ is having people to move through and that is the last thing Satan wants. It may just be me, but the American church has become stale and has been stale for years.

I hope I clearly made my point.

We are fools to pretend that the world is a friendly place and that there is no need for security concerns within the Church. However, I think that it is important that we do not go overboard with our security. We must be careful that our security does not make our church impersonal. I have never felt loved by the person checking my bags at the airport.

Remember, our job is to reach the lost and show them the love of Jesus even if that means increasing the risk in our lives.

Churches need to ponder their security issues – and just like we must be wise stewards with our money, we must be wise stewards with our safety.

Piper’s observation that to elect an African American as president in a country that previously embraced slavery is also insightful. In one sense, it would be a proud moment in America to say America has an African American as president. However, electing a president is not primarily about racial reconciliation or the nobility of democracy or egalitarianism. It is about government. Who will provide for us the society that Paul defined as “good government” in his letter to Timothy: “pray… for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Ti 2:2-4) If, indeed, we have a black president tomorrow, I pray it will be healing for the nation racially. However, the greatest healing we need – the one that eclipses all others – is the one that comes from 2 Chr 7:14: “If my people…I will heal their land.” In any case, whether Obama or McCain – we need to pray intentionally for our governing leaders.

Piper’s observation about Palin is shared by a number of Christian conservatives. Its roots are ostensibly in the ecclesiastical view that women “ought not rule over men.” Catholicism and the Reformed Movement fought in this theological battleground for many years (still fighting). However, the A/G and other evangelical streams settled the issue years ago in allowing for women to be ordained and to lead. I side with the biblical arguments that recognize that women can be qualified to lead.

Perhaps Piper like so many Christian Americans is pondering these ecclesiastical arguments as he reflects on Palin. And if we were electing a pastor, there might be fodder enough for a number of battles to be fought in the ecclesiastical world. But we’re electing a President – and the presidential running mate – not a pastor. If the issue for Piper relates to the personal matter of Palin’s family priorities, this, to me, is a matter of conscience and practicality – not principle, biblical or political.

We could cite many biblical and historical references about great women, chosen by God to rule…from the Esthers to the Margaret Thatchers. I just don’t want to see Christians electing a “pastoral candidate” for president or vice president…and base their vote measured against artificial principles. I made the mistake of voting in the 70s for a professed Christian for president – he turned out to be a poor choice.

As a side note: Is it a worthy question to ask the Republican Party why they didn’t endorse the first female running mate for VP until the Democratic Party endorsed a popular African American against his competition – a woman? And were there some good African American choices out there in the conservative camp…like Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice? Just asking…

Personally, I find Palin to be a remarkable, inspirational woman. I also find Barak Obama to be an incredibly inspirational speaker, though I’m in disagreement with some of his policies, abortion in particular. Interesting that this has almost become about Obama versus Palin. But, whether we have the first black American President or the first female Vice President after Jan 20– it is historic! We have the attention of the world – we desperately need the attention of God.

As for John Piper, I respect him but in this case he should have done a better job with his exegesis. He is a John McArthur type who has a very narrow view when it comes to interpreting scripture where gender is the subject at hand. He would probably have problems with Queen Esther and other female leaders. He should stay with preaching and leave politics to the pundits.

mdf