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Friday, November 2, 2018
Is Donald Trump a Modern King Cyrus?
That’s the question raised when many politically conservative evangelicals have boldly made that claim. Christianity Today asked an esteemed Old Testament professor, Daniel Block of Wheaton College, to compare the ancient and modern leaders. [His answer]( (in some ways yes, in important ways no) is less crucial than the foray into some wonderful biblical history and theology.
While on the topic of Mr. Trump, [here is a commentary]( that is less nuanced but, as a journalist and historian, I’d have to wholeheartedly agree with. The American press, for all its shortcomings (of which they are the first to admit), is not the “enemy of the people.” Rod Dreher looks at the ugly history of that phrase, who used it, and what came of it. Enough already.
Let Us Reason Economically Together
I’ve been in many a meeting of politically active evangelicals who have asserted that Christians should be politically involved. Amen. At many of those same meetings, the assumption is that the Christian view of political matters—especially economic policy—is represented by political liberals. Some go further and try to claim the high moral ground by suggesting that their view represents biblical compassion while conservatives are merely selfish.
Joe Carter produced a series (with five parts, starting in 2014) on “What Liberals Should Know About the Economic Views of Conservative Evangelicals.” [Here’s the first post](. Carter’s most recent effort is the “Principles Project,” in which he wants to demonstrate “the compatibility of faith, liberty, and free economic activity” for Christian conservatives. The most recent post in this series is “[To Overcome Structural Injustice, Increase Order and Individual Freedom](.”
The point is not to convince readers of the GR of Carter’s views, nor that of the Acton Institute. I certainly don’t agree with all of them. Nor is it to suggest that religious political conservatives are driven only by lofty principles. Selfishness and lust for power infect them as much as they do liberals, especially in the heat of a tight election. Yet we are reminded regularly that liberal views, at their best, coincide with many biblical notions of compassion; what I don’t see enough is the idea that conservative ideas, at their best, are fundamentally compassionate as well. If we could grant that at the beginning of political conversations, it might encourage more civil discourse.
Surprising Opponents of Cell Phones and Screens
Hat tip to my voracious reader of a wife for pointing this NY Times article on “[A Dark Consensus About Screens and Kids Begins to Emerge in Silicon Valley](.” The article begins by noting a startling fact:
The people who are closest to a thing are often the most wary of it. Technologists know how phones really work, and many have decided [they don’t want their own children anywhere near them](.
Random Acts of Kindness Still Happen!
Enough controversy, ugliness, and scary news. Despite everything, God still inspires everyday people to do extraordinary acts of kindness every day. [A recent sampling](.
Grace and peace,
[Mark Galli] [Mark Galli]
[Mark Galli](mailto:GalliReport@christianitytoday.com)
Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today
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