Mark Driscoll on Election Day and Government

He's only saying what I've been thinking and he makes it even clearer:

http://tinyurl.com/5sfava

Predictions of the (Almost) Inevitable Obama-ship

Been already thinking ahead to the ramifications of Obamessiah being the president. I have predictions based on him having a full democratic congress and senate. This isn't fearmongering. I don't believe the sky is falling. Obama can't do anything that God won't LET him do.

• One of the first big ones will be the passing of the Fairness Doctrine which is their attempt at shutting up Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts. They hope to put them out of business (good luck with that)
• Appointment of 2 of the most liberal Supreme Court judges we have seen. Darth Bader Ginsburg and Grandpa Stevens will step down.
• Penalizing of the rich under the pretense of "sharing the wealth." The result will be the rich leaving America to live in other countries. This is going to lead to a lack of funds for an oversized government. As a result, the middle class will get taxed harder.
• Government will continue to inflate as they look for more ways to get their fingers on more of our lives.
  
• With the financial district tightening up and loans not being as readily available, more and more students won't be able to go to college. Within the first four years (and hopefully last) of Obama, the idea of socializing college will at least be brought up. Free education for all at the expense of the taxpayer.
• There will be at least one vote on socialized health care. It won't pass.
  
• There will be a vote on gay marriage. It will pass.
  
• The church will continue to become more and more liberal. I don't believe there will be any clampdown on any religious rights other than the typical "hate mongering" charges we always get since the time of Ancient Rome.
• The GOP will continue to split into moderate and conservative. The conservatives will become louder and prouder. Palin will be their candidate of choice in 2012 if she decides to run.
• My life, other than the government starting to try and run it more, will be unchanged. I will be as loud, opinionated and anti-state and church affiliation. Keep the government out of the church.
  

The Days of Constantine and Modern Church

Reading in Church History has been one of the most beneficial things I have done in 33 years. It has got my wheels turning regarding even our modern church's state. One of the things I've been thinking about lately with the election going on is the ease of Christianity in America compared to the times of Constantine.

Prior to Constantine coming to power and declaring Christianity the national religion (loosely since he also permitted paganism), Christians were persecuted and killed at the hands of emperors. Christians knew that converting meant they would be in danger of loosing their lives for what they believed in. As a result, the church may have been decently small in number, but the passion and zeal of it was mighty. The martyrs were committed to Christ unto death.

Constantine took over the empire and brought an end to years of persecution. He declared Himself Christian and stopped the martyrdom of believers. As a result, throngs of people in the Roman empire "converted" to Christianity. It was the thing to do. It seems as those everyone was doing it. Christianity's cost was diminished due to ease in the Empire. This continued till persecution once again reared it's ugly head. As a result, many recanted their belief and again Christianity was costly. Under persecution, many of our great church fathers were born and led. Their impact goes on till today.

Fast forward to today. Honestly, converting to Christianity is as easy as saying you prayed a prayer and getting dunked in your local baptist church. Rarely are you examined to see if the fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life. Rarely is their much cost to being a Christian in America other than some harassment. As a result, much of modern Christianity is a lifestyle, not a life endangerment. We've adapted Christianity to America, not vice versa. Modern American Christianity cost so little. Even our political candidates proudly assert their Christianity with little fear of backlash. Throngs fill our churches and go through the motions of the lifestyle of Christianity.

I wonder...how full would our churches be if persecution were to rear it's ugly head in America? I mean real persecution...life endangering stuff. Would Saddleback, Willow Creek, Lifechurch, and Thomas Road Baptist still be as full as they are today? Would we focus on seekers or survival and surrender? Would the "giants" of modern Christianity still be considered giants or be seen as feel-good motivational speakers? Are we today, calling people to a life of complete rejection, surrender and rejection? That is the Christianity I know.

When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die...

Why Obama Will Win...my prediction

It's 100 days till the election and there have been a lot of things going down. I thought early on Obama might make it past Hillary, but I figured she was closer to the center than he was. However, he pulled it out. Since he has gotten the nomination for the Democrats, he is now moving to the center to pull the votes of moderate GOP and Democrats. Looking at his matchup against Obama has me making my prediction. I believe Obama will win a close one. I don't think it will even be a contest. My reason why?

• People want a new face...something different than a Bush or Clinton. Obama is so new to the political scene, people know little about him and aren't tired of him. Since McCain ran one other time, people know him and he is old news.
• Obama is slick and good looking. In a rock star culture, he's in. He has an inspiring wit to him. McCain is old and flat. It reminds me of Bush 41 and Clinton.
• For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. 8 years of Bush and people are going to counter the experience with the opposite...Obama.
• People are voting on feeling this time and honestly not logic. They will vote to end the war, cut gas prices, and they will all think that Obama will answer it. He won't, but they will think he will.
• World opinion of Obama will help his chances. Sadly, there are those that think the world's opinion of our presidential candidates is just as important as our own. It is in a sense, appeasement of the world. Appeasement never wins. It only asks for more.

Update 7.22.08

-School is three weeks away. I'm excited??? I hated school for 16 years of my life and now I can't wait to get going. Help....me.....
-Still reeling over Batman. I will probably see it again on Tuesday. Heath Ledger gets a thumbs up from me.
-Eagles training camp begins today....YES! GO GREEN!
-McCain and Obama will be having a forum at Saddleback church in CA next month. And Warren takes another step towards taking Falwell's mantle into politics. Sad thing is he is more centrist. Not crazy about that...not that I have a candidate in the race.
-McCain has already turned into the reactionist. Everything Obama does, he attacks. To me, sounds like he knows he's probably going to lose this things already and he's not moving ahead.
-Started my Hebrew studies. I hope I do well because I really want to learn this language.
-I have started counting down to Christmas. I will be hitting NYC with the sister and bro-in-law sometime before it. There is nothing better!
-Three Starbucks are closing in Willow Grove, PA including the two I spent a LOT of time at. I am really saddened by this. Thanks goodness none in Lynchburg are closing.