Well, we had an interesting few weeks in our politics. All the rules seem to be changing. Donald Trump didn’t really have much competition in his primary run, no doubt due to being a former president. As expected, former President Trump was acclaimed the Republican nominee at their recent convention. The Democrats had a proforma primary run with President Biden the presumptive nominee at their National Convention but then the debate happened.
For the past two years, at least, we the people could not help notice that age was catching up with President Biden. While we can excuse a misstep on the steps of Air Force 1 (think President Ford) it was his cognitive decline that was most concerning and evident. So, the debate did him in. Now the Democrats have to regroup quickly, and they have with Vice President Harris. I never thought I would ever agree with Black Lives Matter but they criticized the Democratic Party for not having a virtual primary. Given that the Democratic party claims they are the defenders of Democracy, what they did with the Vice President is very undemocratic, whether you agree with the outcome or not.
With former President Trump we are back to his verbal assault on his opponents. Whether you like him or not, away we go. Former President Trump’s rhetoric transgresses all forms of virtue as does his behavior in his earlier life. I guess we are more interested in policies than in character.
On the Democratic side, I am very much taken with George Orwell’s quote from his 1984 novel: “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” I admit, when I saw and heard President Biden trip, be led off the stage by former President Obama, his unfocused thoughts apart from a teleprompter, and the Democrats tell us that he is sharp as a tack in their presence, etc., I thought of The Party.
“Don’t believe what you see, believe what we tell you.”
When did we lose our civic virtue? I think it was in the 90s with Bill Clinton and the rest is history as they say. What does this mean for us?
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
Our politicians will not be any more virtuous than we are virtuous. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians reminds them (and us) that a fundamental characteristic of a Christian and the Body of Christ is virtue. It is not only here but in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
Christian virtue results from the Grace of God. We live by grace through faith (Gal. 3:19-20; Rom 1:7; Eph 2: 8-10). We reflect the Christ in us by these virtues in our lives together. My guess is, if we want our politics to change, maybe we need to model it.
Reader Comments(0)