Book Burning

A couple of weeks ago we learned that Antifa and other “protesters” were burning Bibles in Portland, using them for kindling in an attempt to set the U.S. Courthouse on fire. I’ve been thinking about book burning, and my imagination led me here.

I’m a collector of old books. Which is a felony, of course. That’s why you’ll never find a little shop bearing my name on 3^rd and Elm. This is the black market, friends, and if anyone could trace this short missive to me, I’d be sent to a camp. Or worse.

So be careful, gentle reader, because you’re in danger, too. I really want you to read this, but please don’t take unnecessary chances.

The Reelection of Obama and the Sovereign Rule of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ entered human history “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4). From the divine vantage point, it was exactly the right time and place for God to become flesh and dwell among us.

But let’s remember that the Savior came to a land and a people ruled by a despotic, corrupt regime. Rome was an iron fist and Palestine was in its inflexible grip. Slavery, economic injustice, governmental malfeasance, and a society devoid of moral restraints were the order of the day.

Jesus Christ was part of an oppressed minority, many of whom longed for a political solution to their problems. They were hoping the Messiah would be a charismatic leader who would throw off Roman tyranny and restore Jewish dynasty.

That their hopes were dashed politically is putting it mildly. Jesus didn’t just fail to win the popular vote or the electoral college. They killed him.

After the Election

If I hear about one more poll, or one more analysis of the swing states, or one more pundit pontificating on "what's at stake in this election," I think my head will explode.

Next Wednesday morning when we wake up, Jesus will still be in charge.

So I am trying to have a Christ-centered, Christ-admiring perspective, while at the same time knowing that this is an important election, and that your (my) vote definitely matters.

Last night my wife had me read Erick Erickson over at RedState.com. He said,

People on the left are convinced if Mitt Romney wins blacks will be put in chains out in cotton fields and uteruses will be locked up..

People on the right are convinced if Barack Obama wins the stars and stripes will come down, the red banner of communism will go up, and this American experiment will be promptly concluded.

My world view is pretty simple. I think this world is destined to go to hell in a hand basket by design. I think things are supposed to go to pot. So if Barack Obama wins, I won’t be upset. If Mitt Romney wins, I won’t be running through the streets cheering. I think, either way, it is all part of the design. The world is going down hill. Barack Obama re-elected just gets us down the slippery slope faster in my view. For others, it is Mitt Romney who does.

God is sovereign and He is in charge and He will return. That is my hope and my ever present expectation.

 You should read the whole thing. Click here.

The Presidential Election, Halloween, and the Real Jesus

My favorite Halloween costume of all time was worn by our neighbor Glenn when I was a boy. We lived on a farm, and our closest neighbors were a family of five—mom, dad, and three girls. Glenn, the dad, was a jovial, 300-pound man, and I’ll never forget his costume as the family parked in our driveway and walked to the door.

Actually his costume was just a mask. He wore his regular farm overalls, but he had donned a small plastic mask that was the face of a rotund, smiling man with a big cigar clamped in his teeth. It looked exactly like the real Glenn. He dressed up as himself! That’s what you call “truth in advertising,”. What you saw was truly what you got.

Most masks are intended to obscure or distort, to conceal the truth. So, because it's Halloween, I have two points of application.

First, here's how I'm praying about the Presidential election--that the real President Obama and the real Governor Romney will be revealed to the voters. Any political campaign tends to distort the other guy--to put a mask on him, so what you see is a caricature. It's also true that the candidates themselves wear masks to appeal to voters. But I'm praying that the masks will be gone, and that people will vote based on seeing the candidates clearly.

Second, about Halloween. When I was a boy I honestly don't remember that Halloween had an evil, supernatural component. Costumes were cowboys and princesses and jolly fat men with cigars in their teeth.

The dark side of Halloween has become prominent, maybe even preeminent, since those simpler days. Sinful people, apart from Christ, are blinded by their own masks. Even worse, they (we) place masks over the face of the Savior. ...the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4).

Let's pray that today, and every day, we may see the real Jesus. When our masks are torn off so we can see the beauty and perfections of our Savior--well, that's the start of everything. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).