Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

The Clarinda Herald Journal, publication date : 03/15/2006

 

Off With His Head!
 

Pastor Scott,

       I get tired of all the political wrangling I see in the news--why are so many of our leaders angry and ready to blame others? Is there a spiritual explanation?

 

       The short answer is this: it’s because of sin. The larger answer is tied to a cultural trend that began in the 60s. Long-held attitudes of respect for others began to crumble to the cries of, “Down with the establishment… Never trust anyone over 30… Burn the bra… Burn the flag,”--etcetera, etcetera.

       Many of our current leaders are former hippies--at least in their mindset--who have grown up, cut their hair, put a on a suit, and marched off to serve their ideology. Inwardly, they still despise authority, masking their rebellious attitudes with righteous indignation or their latest just cause.

       I am not saying this is true of all our leaders. Most serve with integrity, but it is the noisy ones that get the air-time. The straight-laced former Boy Scouts, who quietly serve the greater good, are not as colorful and newsworthy as the angry official calling for someone’s head.

       Now, I want it fully understood that this column is not here to address politics; my treatment of this subject is not political, but moral. What we see on nightly news is played out daily in the home, the office, and even the church.

       If possible, with one stroke of the pen, I would call all Americans back to humbly serving Christ and honoring men. Christians, especially, should never stoop to the bitter, angry, and disrespectful wrangling so prevalent in our times. Doesn’t the Scripture exhort us: “Keep your tongue from evil!”?

       Whatever happened to giving people the benefit of the doubt, hoping for  the best in others, agreeing to disagree, walking a mile in another’s moccasins before judging, and other wise cultural proverbs? All Christians are called to honor their spouses, employers, neighbors, church leaders, political leaders--indeed, all who are in authority.

       That does not mean that we may not disagree or have serious concerns, but we must do so in a way that honors and respects the offices those in authority hold.

       May 1 Peter 2:17 call us away from one of the besetting sins of our times: “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

       --Pastor Scott

To submit your anonymous question for Pastor Scott, you may write to: Ask The Pastor, PO Box 98, Shambaugh, IA 51651, or harvest@heartland.net  and on the web at www.askpastorscott.com