Finished
How many more days until graduation? Well, according to the little widget in the sidebar (if you’re reading this in an RSS reader you’ll have to visit the site to see what I’m talking about) there are 0 more days. I graduated yesterday! The ceremony was fun and the family parties afterward were great.
Tags: college, graduation
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Evangelical Politics: Red Flag #1
Yesterday I posted a very brief summary of my thoughts on Evangelical politicians. In the coming weeks I hope to post more extensively on the topic of Evangelical politics, but for the time being I will simply enumerate what I think are some of the major problems theologically and historically with Evangelical politics. These posts (two, maybe three all together) will serve as a brief introduction.
Perhaps the element of Evangelical politics that should most quickly raise a red flag in your mind is the use of Old Testament language about Israel in reference to America. Evangelical politicians and politically minded preachers often claim that America has broken covenant with God just as Israel broke covenant with God in the Old Testament. These same individuals claim that events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 or the recent school shootings at Virginia Tech are God’s judgment upon the United States as a result of the nation’s rejection of the “God of our fathers” just as Israel rejected the God of their fathers.
What is implicit, and at times explicit, in this talk about America’s relationship to God is the idea that America is God’s nation. That is, America is not just a nation under God’s sovereign control, but rather it has a special (covenant) relationship with God just as Israel enjoyed a special (covenant) relationship with God prior to the coming of Christ. This relationship qualifies America as “God’s people”. Thus the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is as true for America as it was for Israel. Furthermore, just as the covenant between God and Israel included blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience America can expect blessing when it walks in God’s ways and cursing when it is unfaithful.
There is a major theological problem with this position and as I wrote earlier I hope to examine it in more detail in the coming weeks. As a preview of the next post in this series let me say that the claim that America is God’s nation or God’s covenant people is not just theological in nature, but also involves a certain understanding of America’s past. In other words it is both a theological and historical claim.
Tags: America, Evangelicals, Evangelical politics
“Evangelical” Politicians
You may find it surprising that as a little “e” evangelical Christian I’m quite skeptical of politicians who claim the “Evangelical” moniker. Generally, as I understand the situation, Evangelical politicians are concerned with issues like prayer in public schools, public displays of the Ten Commandments, reclaiming America and other issues that have almost no connection to the Gospel, the very substance of evangelical Christianity.
Could it be that Evangelical politicians are really just proponents of America’s civil religion (which is vastly different from Christianity)? If that’s what they’re concerned about it’s fine with me (not that I share those concerns), but I would prefer it not be called Evangelical politics. I’m convinced that these politicians and their mouthpieces have misrepresented Christianity to America. It would be wise for us little “e” evangelicals to distance ourselves from these politicians so as not to convey to our neighbors that Christianity is just the religious arm of the Republican party.
Tags: Evangelical, Evangelicalism, politics
Five(ish) Things I’d Like to Know About You
For some reason I didn’t see that Jollyblogger had tagged me in January for the “Five(ish) Things I’d Like to Know About You” meme. I don’t ever do the email chain letter thing, but this is a little different so I thought I’d give it a shot.
0) What’s your name and website URL? (optional, of course)
Ryan Wentzel, http://ryan.thewentzels.org
1) What’s the most fun work you’ve ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
In high school I served food in the “restaurant” at a retirement home. I worked in the part of the retirement home where the people needed lots of care, but they were some of the most interesting folks I’ve ever met.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)
Surfing (in the ocean not the Internet).
B. Name one thing you’ve always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
Get back in shape.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
I’d like to learn New Testament Greek so I could have a better grasp of some of the important grammatical issues in Bible interpretation. I’d also like to learn more about business because I find it very interesting.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
I’ve always wanted to meet the Apostle Paul. I would love to learn from him firsthand what it looks like to be a follower of Christ in 21st century America.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
You’d have to ask them…
B. Now list two more words you wish described you…
Generous, loyal
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes– three sentences max)
My family, learning, and learning more 
6) Write–and answer–one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)
What do you hope to do/accomplish before the end of your life? I’d like to write a book or two.
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
Is what I’m about to say of any value to those who will hear it?
