Bulletin 130 Date : 18th Apr 2008
In God we Trust If, like us, you go overseas for a holiday, then you get a chance to see the news through a different set of eyes than BBC1. We had the pleasure of CNN and the BBC World Service. I was particularly taken by the coverage of the Presidential Elections in the USA which is now a battle between the Republican, John McCain and the two Democrats, Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama.  It will be interesting to see how this election pans out especially in terms of faith issues. All three profess a Christian faith and yet their views on world issues, not least foreign policy varies somewhat. Therefore I wonder how each candidate would understand the words printed on every American bank note and stamped on every coin – “In God we Trust”.
I remember John McCain’s defining comment some months ago, “I know where Osama Bin Laden is and I know how to get him”. To me this depicts the God of the Old Testament who would not rest until the enemy (or perceived enemy) was totally destroyed. It reminds me of the verse from Psalm 106:-
He will execute judgment among the nations,
filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
over the wide earth.
However, I wonder whether McCain would agree with the assessment of American fundamentalist TV Evangelists, Gerry Falwell and Pat Robertson who believe that God does not stand shoulder to shoulder with the American people but towering over them in righteous wrath. They claim that the terrorist attacks were divine punishment for the sinfulness of the American people. I wonder also if McCain would agree with Jesus who said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). I guess it would be hard for a Republican President to weave these words into their foreign policy.
On the Democratic front, however, there’s a clear challenge to embrace something new. Hillary Clinton would become the first female President and echo Paul’s words to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). It seems, however, that Hillary’s race is nearly over. I wonder if that’s because she doesn’t have the steel qualities of America’s favourite British female political leader – Margaret Thatcher.
With Barak Obama they would be electing their first black President and fulfilling part of the dream of Martin Luther King Jnr – “one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers”. Interestingly, Obama has been distancing himself somewhat from his former Christian compatriots, perhaps to soften his approach and to become more inclusive. I wonder how many Americans will hesitate to vote for this evangelical Christian because they still can picture the agonised expressions on the face of former President Jimmy Carter after the failed attempt to rescue Iranian hostages.
So, what does it mean for these three to trust in God? What will it mean for the American people when it comes to choosing a President? Will it be John McCain who will simply continue where George Bush left off or will it be a step of faith with the Democrats? |
Newsroom
| Get in touch | Prayer
| Events | My Blog 