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Why would the Bible be so callous? The couplet is from Proverbs and actually reads, "the poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends" (Proverbs 14:20). Far from being callous, there is great contemporary wisdom in this saying. It could have been coined today.
Our society is based on this sentiment. We live in a culture of power where the powerful are idolized. Study images pouring out of any of our image producing outlets. You will see youth, beauty, performance, vitality, accomplishment and health. This curious situation is a clue that something is wrong with the place we call home. All of the people the Lord God mentioned by name and those held dear by Him are missing among these images. Rarely do you see images of the poor, oppressed, homeless, orphans, widows and prisoners unless you happen to pick up a donation appeal from a relief organization.
Politics and the media, its handmaiden, are other dead giveaways that all is not right in the world. Addiction to anything tends to distort reality. An addict only sees whatever supports the addiction. Politics is an addiction and news reporting is the fix. Keller might say that politics is an idol that serves as a substitute for God.
I have bowed down to the idol of politics and I have jonesed daily for the news, but for the past few years I have tried to live a life without news and politics. My wife began the intervention by asking, "why do you watch the news before you go to bed?" I could not believe she would ask such an inane question. The answer is plainly obvious: to keep up with all of the new things happening in the world. After all, that is why they call it "news". She then asked, "what did you learn that was new in that last broadcast, for example?"
Easy question. I learned that one political party was completely unwilling to compromise with another political party. OK, that was not really news. I heard about an elected official who was not totally honest with the electorate. Another bad choice. How about war in Europe? Africa? Asia? South America? There were storms that caused damage? Traffic was bad this afternoon? Hmmm. I see your point.
I went cold turkey that night. I do not avoid the news. Who can? It is insidious. I walked into an elevator and once the doors closed I kept hearing a familiar theme song. Before I got to my floor, I realized it was the music to CNN Headline News. A television set was mounted on the elevator wall behind me blaring out information.
I simply no longer seek out the news.
As for Caesar, I am ready to render unto him what is his. Since the days of the Moral Majority, there has been continuing sturm and angst over the proper political agenda for a Christian. I am not sure if there is a proper role. It seems that anyone who professes an accelerated sense of spirituality might instead follow Micah 6:8 and act justly; love mercy and walk humbly with God. With this prescription in hand, it might serve one well to stay away from political activity. When I was addicted to news, I saw very little justice, mercy and humility in political circles.
Instead, why not support humble ministries of mercy and justice that are concerned with the personae of Jesus. He came to us as a baby. He grew up persecuted, oppressed and homeless. He died a prisoner and a victim of torture. All political questions can be resolved in view of the impact on such as these.
If you believe in a higher power, get clean and sober. No news. No politics. See the world with fresh eyes. The poor make the best neighbors and friends.
Our society is based on this sentiment. We live in a culture of power where the powerful are idolized. Study images pouring out of any of our image producing outlets. You will see youth, beauty, performance, vitality, accomplishment and health. This curious situation is a clue that something is wrong with the place we call home. All of the people the Lord God mentioned by name and those held dear by Him are missing among these images. Rarely do you see images of the poor, oppressed, homeless, orphans, widows and prisoners unless you happen to pick up a donation appeal from a relief organization.
Politics and the media, its handmaiden, are other dead giveaways that all is not right in the world. Addiction to anything tends to distort reality. An addict only sees whatever supports the addiction. Politics is an addiction and news reporting is the fix. Keller might say that politics is an idol that serves as a substitute for God.
I have bowed down to the idol of politics and I have jonesed daily for the news, but for the past few years I have tried to live a life without news and politics. My wife began the intervention by asking, "why do you watch the news before you go to bed?" I could not believe she would ask such an inane question. The answer is plainly obvious: to keep up with all of the new things happening in the world. After all, that is why they call it "news". She then asked, "what did you learn that was new in that last broadcast, for example?"
Easy question. I learned that one political party was completely unwilling to compromise with another political party. OK, that was not really news. I heard about an elected official who was not totally honest with the electorate. Another bad choice. How about war in Europe? Africa? Asia? South America? There were storms that caused damage? Traffic was bad this afternoon? Hmmm. I see your point.
I went cold turkey that night. I do not avoid the news. Who can? It is insidious. I walked into an elevator and once the doors closed I kept hearing a familiar theme song. Before I got to my floor, I realized it was the music to CNN Headline News. A television set was mounted on the elevator wall behind me blaring out information.
I simply no longer seek out the news.
As for Caesar, I am ready to render unto him what is his. Since the days of the Moral Majority, there has been continuing sturm and angst over the proper political agenda for a Christian. I am not sure if there is a proper role. It seems that anyone who professes an accelerated sense of spirituality might instead follow Micah 6:8 and act justly; love mercy and walk humbly with God. With this prescription in hand, it might serve one well to stay away from political activity. When I was addicted to news, I saw very little justice, mercy and humility in political circles.
Instead, why not support humble ministries of mercy and justice that are concerned with the personae of Jesus. He came to us as a baby. He grew up persecuted, oppressed and homeless. He died a prisoner and a victim of torture. All political questions can be resolved in view of the impact on such as these.
If you believe in a higher power, get clean and sober. No news. No politics. See the world with fresh eyes. The poor make the best neighbors and friends.
