This Presidential election, the election of 2012, posed the clearest choice between two opposing world views that I have seen in my lifetime.
My side lost.
I'm not sure that anyone will even care what I think, but I offer you my postmortem.
This election, I believe, was lost decades ago. I used to think that the Republicans could have won in '92, '96 and '08 if they had ran more conservative candidates. Now I'm not so sure. In each of those races the Democrats ran a likeable candidate. The Republicans ran G.H.W. Bush, Bob Dole and John McCain. All were older white guys with honorable war records, but none of them were particularly likeable. They didn't make anyone feel good.
I think we believed that the era of President Reagan was a national turn toward conservatism. Maybe it was to some extent, but it was also inspiring to listen to him speak. We liked him. As more history accumulates behind the Reagan era, it now appears to be more of a cultural anomaly than a cultural redirection. From early in the twentieth century, the trend has been toward a larger and more centralized government. That trend continues.
It may well be that George W. Bush won in 2000 and 2004 simply because he was more likeable than either Vice President Al Gore or Sen. John Kerry.
For most of us on the "right" the election was more about voting for an ideology than a candidate. I am a Christian conservative with a flavoring of libertarian ideas. From where I stand, my vote is cast on the basis of ideology. I presume that those on the far left (socialists, communists, liberation theology adherents, etc.) also vote on the basis of their ideology. I get that. Now, clearly they will never get my vote for their candidate, but I can plot the course they are taking as they make the case for their world view.
It is the true American liberal/self-styled progressive world view that baffles me. To me, it is random reasoning wrapped in anarchy. It appears irrational, void of overarching principles and fixed points of truth. I have trouble imagining what the world looks like through the eyes of an American liberal. Do they understand the principles of cause and effect? Action and reaction? Do they see the "big picture" or is each event and topic an island unto itself? I don't know.
I understand why some of those on the left voted the way they did. Although I think they are misguided, they have reasons to believe that they were making the best choice for their families and themselves. Left of center ideologues really do not worry me that much, nor do thinking people who make decisions based on faulty information.
It is the "undecided" crowd in the middle that concerns me. They have more than enough information from which to draw a conclusion, yet it seems that they lack the critical thinking skills to do so. Fiscal policy is beyond them. The ramifications of various social issues apparently penetrate no deeper than a sound byte. To some it seems, the Constitution is just is some nebulous idea on a fading ancient document. Yet, their collective votes forever alter the direction of the nation. They determine who receives those votes often with the shallowest of reasons.
Why do so many of those around us lack the ability to think? I don't know.
- Perhaps it is the by product of increasing technology and perpetual entertainment.
- Maybe it is a failure of the public school systems to teach thinking skills.
- It may very well stem from a systemic failure within America's Christian churches to evangelize and disciple the individuals in their communities.
- Or it may be a combination of some or all of the above.
Regardless of the cause, I realize it is possible we are going to be here (socially) for a very long time, perhaps for decades. Among other things,
- It is now unlikely the Roe v. Wade will ever be overturned.
- Socialized medicine will be implemented.
- The combination of high energy prices, crippling regulation, and high taxation will prevent a robust economy.
- Division (or even the perception of division) between the U.S. and Israel increases the likelihood of an all out Middle Eastern war.
- The great ideological divide between the urban and rural areas of our nation will most likely deepen.
- There is little chance that Social Security (perhaps even other retirement programs) will survive in any recognizable form.
So where does that leave us?
Well, first of all, it leaves us in God's hands. It will do us well to remember that nothing catches him by surprise, and nothing cripples his ability to act on our behalf. God does not have an express covenant with the United States of America. He does have a covenant with his Church.
It will also serve us well to remember that no place on this earth provides us with our true identity. For the Christian, that identity comes from Jesus Christ.
Although we are reluctant to admit it, we Americans like our stuff, Christians included. The bad news is that the consequences of this election may in fact cost you your stuff, and there isn't much you can do about it.
For decades the Church as been able to exert its influence on society by voting as a bloc. Nationally, it seems, we no longer have that power.
It is time for the Church in America to do some serious soul searching, and refocus on the things of eternal weight. Quite simply, it is our job in this world to present the Gospel to those who don't know Jesus Christ as Savior, and to disciple those who turn to him. Everything else is secondary. Everything else we place in the hands of God.
Secondly, we have got to accept the fact that there are no quick fixes. This trend has been decades in the making. It will not be fixed by a mass conversion of people turning to our ideals. It will only be fixed if we do what we should have been doing all along, that is reaching the hearts of individuals with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So where do we start? Well, here is an idea:
Start with a child. Teach that child about sin and redemption. Cause him or her to understand the relationship between behavior and consequences. Provide a fixed point of reference, of identity from which he or she can navigate life. Teach them to think. Teach them the Bible.
Reenter the cities. We cannot evangelize the world and avoid our own cities. We must learn to see our own urban areas as a mission field.
Be patient. The road back is a tedious and long and painful one. I realize I may not see my country make an about face in my lifetime. Even so, we can still present the gospel of Jesus Christ to those around us.
Ultimately that has been our purpose all along anyway.
