Kingdom Come!

In his new book , Surprised by Hope, Tom Wright adresses the “myth of progress” that surrounds our thinking.  One of the great difficulties with this myth that has shaped the modern era is that it cannot deal with the reality of evil.  And the fact that the ever deafening mantra of politicians is “vote for me and things will get better!” is pretty much a lie.  Republican or democrat, whatever the promises, things won’t get better.  The “progress” that gave us penecillin also gave us Hiroshima.  People wil still die young.  Armies will rape and pillage.  Hatred will continue to poison hearts of individuals (see the monthly shooting on high school and/or college campuses) and poison the hearts of people groups (see Kenya) and religious groups.

Politicians still don’t get it.  Tom says, “our politicians demand to be treated like rock stars while our rock stars are pretending to be politicians.”  Ophra and Angelina and Brad - they want and have a voice and they are actually doing something to make things better!  Rock stars as politicians!  The world stops when they show up in Washington!

I watched the Black-Eyed Peas music video for Obama and thought, “Man this is good!”  Obama rocks in his speeches.  And there is a whole movement for Obama.  A movement of young excited people.  And Hillary for all her cunning and political savvy never counted on running against a movement!  Tom says, “in the absence of real hope, all that’s left is feelings.”

And Obama touts “Change” and then get the endorsement of Ted Kennedy - Mr. Washington Establishment.  He’s been there since the ’60’s!  For pity’s sake - since the ’60’s!  If there’s a need for something in Washingto to be changed perhaps he’s the guy who invented the problem in the first place.

And on the Republican side, what a jumble.  I like Mike Huckabee.  He sounds good and stable and at ease.  But he’s a voice in the wilderness.

Seems we’re back to the only real hope - Jesus!  Simply Jesus!  Simple faith to follow Jesus, live by his example and attempt to practice His ideals changes us and changes situations.

But we’re not talking about the get-outta-Dodge escapist hope of the Rapture.  We’re talking about a genuine redemptive Hope!  Redemption that begins with the individual - spreads to the family - and the neighborhood and the city. 

Okay, so I’m an idealist beating the same drum.  So in the name of progress - shoot me!

Tom Wright - in his usual nailing-it kinda way - has an interview with Time magazine regqarding his new book, Surprised by Hope.  Wright says, “heaven’s important, but it’s not the end of the world!” 
I’m enjoying the book and can’t wait until the next chapter.