the universal gospel

i have been engrossed in barak obama's new book the audacity of hope. i got it on return from a christmas gift that i took back to target. there are a few things which are firing me up and scarring me all at the same time. first, i want to say that obama is a brilliant communicator, which necessitates a heightened sense of truth when reading his thoughts. he carries that same air of tolerance as oprah which makes you feel like a hard-headed, close-minded, heartless fundamentalist if you think opposite of his views.

the first thing that lights me up about this book is the way he approaches his political discussion. he rants about the ideological politics that have no basis in reality for real people; but he seems to have no real grasp on the human condition. i know that is an extremely 'duh' statement, but it has need to be said. his political, idealogical if you will, answers seem to be that if we all just understand one another, through empathy and compassion, all our problems will be solved. for a well educated man obama lacks touch with reality, as i believe the past six thousand years of human history shows.

the second thing is my thought of how he is going to reconcile his christian beliefs with his views on abortion, homosexuality, and the like. abby and i were reading his chapter on 'faith' on the way home from target when i bought the book, but we got home just as he was to transition from the context for his argument into the actual argument. however, i was so intreagued by this guy that i had to go back and read from the beginning, to get the whole feel for his argument and the like.

it is a good read, but it scares me for sure. it is amazing to me this all-tolerant, inclusivistic gospel that seeks to exalt humanity. i guess it is the necessary conclusion as we swiftly approach the end of the age and the time of false peace. it is the logical end of the enlightenment republicanisms that our country was founded on. even by saying these i have that check in my heart that wonders if i am just too close-minded, or if i just hate people (those lies which will come against us).

i am ever reminded for my personal need to encounter the word of god, to have a vast, comprehensive understanding through revelation of the lord's dealings with human history, in order that i might bring right perspective in the coming days.

i think about the days when the whole world will be under one government, the times when humanism will prevail, and true christians will be persecuted for their 'fundementalism'. the only thing which will keep our hearts is that we have the true prophetic spirit (the real testimony of Christ) resting upon us, that the word comes alive in our hearts, and we can rightly interpret the events on the world stage.

so until then it appears that my portion will continue to be, the best i know how, eating the scroll, that i might bring prophetic perspective to my life, my family, corporate body, city, region, and the like.

r