{"id":2497,"date":"2022-11-09T05:16:46","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T11:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/denisonforum\/2022\/11\/republicans-predicted-to-take-the-house-senate-too-close-to-call-insights-from-the-father-of-democracy\/"},"modified":"2022-11-09T05:16:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T11:16:46","slug":"republicans-predicted-to-take-the-house-senate-too-close-to-call-insights-from-the-father-of-democracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/denisonforum\/2022\/11\/republicans-predicted-to-take-the-house-senate-too-close-to-call-insights-from-the-father-of-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans predicted to take the House, Senate too close to call: Insights from \u201cthe father of democracy\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u201cPray for the peace of Jerusalem!\u201d \u2014Psalm 122:6<\/p>\n

As of this morning, Republicans appear to be on track<\/a> to regain control of the House of Representatives, though the size of their majority is yet to be known. Control of the Senate is still to be determined, with several pivotal races too close to call.<\/p>\n

As the leader of a nonpartisan ministry, I am responding to the midterm elections with reflections that would be the same regardless of which party controls which branch of our government.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problems posed by living in collaborative groups\u201d<\/h2>\n

As background, let\u2019s consider a New Yorker<\/em> article indicating<\/a> that \u201creason developed not to enable us to solve abstract, logical problems or even to help us draw conclusions from unfamiliar data; rather, it developed to resolve the problems posed by living in collaborative groups.\u201d In other words, we tend to make our decisions based on how our group makes theirs. Consequently, while we\u2019re critically aware of the fallacies held by others, we are blind about our own.<\/p>\n

In addition, we must rely on the expertise of others for the essentials of life (such as the function of toilets, as the article illustrates), so we do the same with our opinions, depending on the \u201cknowledge\u201d of those with whom we already agree. Further research demonstrates that we experience genuine pleasure\u2014a rush of dopamine\u2014when we process information that supports our beliefs.<\/p>\n

These facts relate directly to voting in a democracy. Once we identify our \u201cgroup,\u201d we tend to vote in ways that advance our group\u2019s agenda. We are much more able to see the shortcomings of the other group\u2019s candidates than our own. We are rewarded psychologically when our side wins and the other side loses.<\/p>\n

And democracy, which depends on the wisdom of the voters to elect leaders most capable of serving the people, is weakened as a result.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe father of American democracy\u201d<\/h2>\n

In 1638, Puritan pastor Rev. Thomas Hooker delivered<\/a> a sermon before the Connecticut General Court advocating for popular sovereignty, the right of the people to rule themselves. This was the first time in the colonies that an American explicitly asserted such democratic ideas.<\/p>\n

He based his sermon on Deuteronomy 1:13, where Moses instructed the people, \u201cChoose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.\u201d Hooker\u2019s sermon influenced the creation of the Connecticut state constitution, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut<\/em>, which was the first constitution in the American colonies.<\/p>\n

As a result, he is often described as \u201cthe father of American democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Note his belief that our leaders must be \u201cwise, understanding, and experienced.\u201d This implies that the people who choose them must also be \u201cwise, understanding, and experienced\u201d so as to identify leaders who deserve their support. This is the fundamental challenge within our system of governance: as French philosopher Joseph de Maistre noted, \u201cIn a democracy, people get the leaders they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fact that we are fallen people explains the fallenness of our society and of our politics. As grateful as I am for those who are willing to engage in public service, the fact remains that we can only elect sinners like ourselves.<\/p>\n

History professor Daniel K. Williams notes<\/a>, \u201cPolitical parties work well as highly imperfect tools for accomplishing particular aims, but they become horrific idols when we treat them as sources of our moral identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have received Christ himself\u201d<\/h2>\n

David implored us, \u201cPray for the peace of Jerusalem!\u201d (Psalm 122:6). Note that he did not encourage us to \u201cwork\u201d for the peace of Jerusalem, but to \u201cpray\u201d for it. The Hebrew word translated \u201cpray\u201d could be rendered \u201cbeg for, plead.\u201d The grammar could be rendered \u201cplead and keep on pleading.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeace\u201d translates shalom<\/em>, a very significant word in Jewish culture even today. It describes completeness, wholeness, health in every dimension of life. David knew that the source of true shalom<\/em> for Israel and for the rest of the world lies in God, not in us. We must come to him with expectant, urgent, humble, repentant faith.<\/p>\n

And when we do, God does what only he can do.<\/p>\n

Charles Spurgeon observed, \u201cBy an act of faith Jesus becomes a real person in the consciousness of our heart. . . . It is true that he gave us life from the dead. He gave us pardon of sin; he gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself<\/em>\u201d (his emphasis).<\/p>\n

\u201cPreach first by the way that you live\u201d<\/h2>\n

This is why sharing the good news of God\u2019s love is so urgent. As pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie notes<\/a>, \u201cGod\u2019s primary way of reaching nonbelievers is through the verbal articulation of the gospel.\u201d We are inviting others into a personal, transforming relationship with a personal, transforming God. We can actually know<\/em> Jesus and then make him known. And knowing him does in us and through us what no political party or leader could ever accomplish.<\/p>\n

However, Charles Borromeo, the Archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584, offered an important qualification: \u201cBe sure that you preach first by the way that you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing but live another, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Live the gospel and share the gospel. Know Christ and make him known, and long after yesterday\u2019s elections are forgotten, your faithfulness to your Lord will echo in eternity.<\/p>\n

This is the promise, and the invitation, of God.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cPray for the peace of Jerusalem!\u201d \u2014Psalm 122:6 As of this morning, Republicans appear to be on track to regain control of the House of Representatives, though the size of their majority is yet to be known. Control of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4396,"featured_media":2503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nRepublicans predicted to take the House, Senate too close to call: Insights from \u201cthe father of democracy\u201d<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cPray for the peace of Jerusalem!\u201d \u2014Psalm 122:6 As of this morning, Republicans appear to be on track to regain control of the House of Representatives, though the size of their majority is yet to be known. 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