Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

David Kirkpatrick has published a long and extremely thorough and balanced article in the New York Times entitled “The Evangelical Crackup” which analyzes the current state of evangelical political activism.  There is so much that could be discussed within the article on multiple levels that, if I taught the right course at a Christian college or university, I’d take a week and explore it with my students.  It touches on everything from worldview to theology to history to philosophy and beyond.

I have seen this coming and have written a few things and been interviewed several times on this topic, but Kirkpatrick just does a masterful job of recording what is going on in the world of the “religious right” at this point in time.  I think this is a “must-read” for those you live in the world of evangelicalism from “left” to “right”.  It’s long, but worth every sentence.

Go the article HERE.

I am supposed to lead a group of four (including me) to Cuba next month.  I have hit an unexpected obstacle however, in that my usual contacts for borrowing or “piggy-backing” on a travel license have been unable to assist me.  If you happen to have a license that permits you to travel to Cuba that I could use, would you please email me at DLBurrell@Liberty.edu?  There are some folks there that are depending on me that would join me in being very grateful for your assistance.  (It needs to be a humanitarian or religious license, btw.)

Last week, Bob Jones the Third caused quite a stir in the Carolinas, around the blogosphere and even in a few news outlets with his endorsement of former Massachussetts Governor, current Mormon and sometimes pro-lifer/anti-gay marriage candidate Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination for President.  I find it personally ironic, that a man who headed an institution who likes to criticize fellow believers for everything from their choice of orchestra instruments (percussion bad/brass good) to whom they would invite to their “Independent” and autonomous local church, would take such a blind leap of political pragmatism to endorse a man with the questionable conservative credentials as Mr. Romney.

In a recent editorial for EP News, Warren Smith reveals that when it comes to how Mitt invests his many millions of dollars, there is a certain consistency of expedience that mirrors his evolving political positions as well.  Here’s Mr. Smith’s article…

___________

Romney’s Money Not Where His Mouth Is

By Warren Cole Smith

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has had trouble explaining his past views on abortion, pornography, and homosexuality to religious conservatives.  While he was governor of Massachusetts, a number of gay-friendly laws were enacted.  And his close ties to the Marriott Corporation - as a shareholder and board member - have brought criticism from Phil Burress with Citizens for Community Values.  Burress said, “The fact that Marriott hotel chain was dealing in the worst kind of hard core pornographic material and Mr. Romney was sitting on the board at the time is extremely disturbing.”

Rusty Leonard, president of Stewardship Partners, says Romney might have yet more explaining to do.  According to Leonard’s analysis of Romney’s financial disclosure statement, the Republican - who is aggressively courting “religious right” voters - owns stock in at least a dozen companies with active ties to abortion, pornography, and pornography.

“Romney’s financial holdings are much worse than the other presidential candidates,” Leonard said.  “That’s partly because he is far richer than the other candidates and has more holdings, but it’s also because he apparently uses no screening process whatsoever.”

Romney, whose Mormon faith forbids alcoholic beverages, owns brewers Boston Beer and Anheuser-Busch and distiller Brown Forman.  In a recent speech at Regent University, a Christian college, he called pornography “poison,” but he owns    companies - Real Networks, News Corp. and Time Warner - that distribute pornography.  “He calls himself pro-life,” Leonard said, “but he owns Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, whose drugs are used to induce abortions.”  The Associated Press reported that his blind trust owns stock in Novo Nordisk, which is involved in embryonic stem-cell research. 

Leonard’s conclusion:  “I don’t know why anyone who calls himself pro-family or pro-life would be involved with these companies.”

The investment portfolios of presidential candidates have come under new scrutiny during this election cycle.  Some have been proactive.  Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who has been outspoken about the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, held a press conference to announce he was divesting his stock in companies that did business in Sudan.

“What Sen. Brownback did was commendable and should be an example to all the presidential candidates,” Leonard said. 

Leonard’s company, Stewardship Partners, invests in companies after closely examining them to ensure they are not involved with or funding activities that Christians would find objectionable.  He calls the approach Biblically Responsible Investing, or BRI.  His company manages about $250-million in assets and over the past five years his fund has outperformed the S&P 500.

“You don’t have to sacrifice returns to invest in a biblically responsible way,” Leonard said.  “That makes it all the more telling that Romney has chosen to ignore these considerations in his own investment portfolio.”

——

IGÇÖve always been a political bug.-á A couple of years ago, when I was still a Pastor, I took a large step back from political activism and IGÇÖm more convinced today that doing so was a wise decision than IGÇÖve ever been.-á That doesnGÇÖt mean IGÇÖm not still interested or donGÇÖt have opinions.-á It does mean that with a limited number of days in oneGÇÖs life, I donGÇÖt think spending a significant portion of them on politics is a wise choice considering the needs of this life and the things that will still matter in 1,000 years.

IGÇÖm asked all the time who I think our next President is going to be and I really donGÇÖt have to think about it long.-á I believe Hillary Clinton is going to be our next President.-á ThatGÇÖs not something about which IGÇÖm particularly happy, but neither does it mean that IGÇÖm going to slide into some sort of draconian morass of grief and hopelessness if IGÇÖm correct.-á I thought it was silly to hear the liberals say GÇ£IGÇÖm moving to Canada if Bush gets re-electedGÇ¥ -áand I think itGÇÖs equally ridiculous when I hear my conservative friends say that same thing about a Hillary Presidency.

But just for fun, allow me to put on my prognosticatorGÇÖs hat and tell you why I think weGÇÖll have our first female President in a little more than fifteen months.

Top Ten Reasons the Republicans are ToastGǪ..

[drum roll, pleaseGǪ.]

1.-á-á-á-á-á-á The best argument IGÇÖm hearing for Republican hope is that if Hillary gets nominated itGÇÖll stir up the base.

Sorry, pundits, but youGÇÖre out of touch again.-á The American population has a short memory and a shorter attention span.-á If the best argument the Republicans make for voting with them is that GÇ£Our candidate ainGÇÖt HillaryGÇ¥ then youGÇÖre smoking and inhaling some of President ClintonGÇÖs leftover cigars and they arenGÇÖt stuffed with tobacky.-á-á (Well maybe, whacky tobackyGǪ)-á Hillary is doing a masterful job of rehabilitating her image and the American population is falling for it.-á There is a major shift going on and people are giving her a second look.

2.-á-á-á-á-á-á Republican candidates are duds

LetGÇÖs face it.-á The Republican candidates are B-O-R-I-N-G.-á Fred Thompson has the energy level of a-átree sloth.-á Romney was elected the governor of Ted KennedyGÇÖs home state GÇô need we say more?-á (But if you want me to say more, IGÇÖm suspicious of guys that belong to cults that have special magical underwear you have to wear.)-á McCain GÇô cGÇÖmonGǪheGÇÖs just a cranky old geezer.-á-á Brownback has the charisma of a pet rock.-á HuckabeeGǪwhile I may like his positions, he-áis too small-time for todayGÇÖs political field.-á Giuliani is to real Republican conservatives as was Robert Casey to liberal Democrats.-á Ron Paul reminds me of a cult leader replete with a robotic sycophant base who apparently keep small shrines for him in their living rooms.-á Duncan who????-á If this is the best the Republicans have to offer, they are in really, REALLY bad shape.-á Collectively they are as inspiring as listening to Ben Stein read GÇ£War and PeaceGÇ¥. -á

3.-á-á-á-á-á-á TheyGÇÖve abandoned their conservative evangelical base

Can you imagine the Democrats treating their loyal base of African-Americans, labor unions or ACLU members the way the Republicans routinely treat the evangelical base that has put them in the White House six of the last eight elections?-á The Republicans consistently act embarrassed to be associated with the 40% of the electorate that considers themselves GÇ£evangelical/religious rightGÇ¥ types.-á TheyGÇÖve bought into the liberal hype of the mainstream media and inside-the-beltway pundits that say that they have to be GÇ£broaderGÇ¥ in order to be electable.-á Does anyone remember what happened to compromising, tax-raising Bush the elder or Bob GÇ£ViagraGÇ¥ Dole when they decided that GÇ£broaderGÇ¥ was GÇ£better?GÇ¥-á The evangelical base of the Republicans are totally ready to sit out this election.-á Totally.-á The way they can insure it is to put a pro-abortion candidate at the top of the ticket.-á The Republicans can’t win without strong support from the Religious Right, now matter what the media thinks.

4.-á-á-á-á-á-á Republicans have earned their reputation for being moral hypocrites

Sure Democrats have their drunks, their gay icons, their serial adulterers, their string of pecadillosGǪbut theyGÇÖve never claimed to be the party of GÇ£traditional valuesGÇ¥ and GÇ£morality.GÇ¥-á The Republicans have and then promptly trashed their reputations.-á Foley, Vitter, CraigGǪ.the list is long and sullied.-á Any claim to the moral high-ground was given away in instant message texts, brothels and airport bathrooms.-á When it comes to moral turpitude, a GÇ£tieGÇ¥ benefits the Dems.

5.-á-á-á-á-á-á RepublicanGÇÖs spending habits are not all that discernibly different than the DemocratGÇÖs

Nine trillion in debt.-á ThatGÇÖs rightGǪ.nine TRILLION.-á ItGÇÖs been the Republican failure from Reagan to Bush the YoungerGǪ.the complete and total inability to rein in government spending.-á The tax cuts always worked to stimulate the economy, but the corresponding follow-up of reducing government spending and entitlements always required more of a political price than they were willing to pay.-á As a result, the so-called GÇ£Smaller Government/Cutting WasteGÇ¥ plank of the Republican party was shown to have termites.

6.-á-á-á-á-á-á The war with Iraq

LetGÇÖs face it.-á It IS Vietnam d+¬j+á vu.-á Weapons of mass destruction that werenGÇÖt there.-á A civil war that is there.-á American boys are dying for Muslim extremists.-á ItGÇÖs a sad, sticky morass with no easy solutions.-á Fair or not, the Republicans are getting the blame for this war and with no end in sight, itGÇÖll be around to impact the next election for sure.

7.-á-á-á-á-á-á The GÇ£courtsGÇ¥ are a weak argument

One of the popular arguments for electing Republicans is the Supreme Court.-á Republicans have had their chance to select a solid conservative majority and what do we have?-á Souter?-á Kennedy?-á OGÇÖConner?-á At best, we have a 50/50 chance of getting a legitimate conservative on the bench under the best of times even when a Republican is in the White House.-á With a Democratic senate, hell-bent on putting up a litmus test on abortion, getting another Thomas, Scalia or Roberts confirmed is a long-shot at best.-á So whatGÇÖs the difference?

8.-á-á-á-á-á-á Failed to project an image of what they are GÇ£forGÇ¥, not simply GÇ£againstGÇ¥

Having given away their edge on moral issues, size of government, fiscal discipline and international relations, why is it again that conservatives are to vote for Republicans?-á Oh yeah, they arenGÇÖt Hillary and there might be a Supreme Court vacancy.-á Hardly inspiring rallying cries for a campaign.-á What are the Republicans going to do if they get the White House again?-á Reform Social Security?-á Yeah right.-á Stop abortion?-á Yeah, right again.-á Set good fiscal policy?-á Can anyone say GÇ£Ted StevensGÇ¥?-á They arenGÇÖt even giving the country a reason to vote for them.

9.-á-á-á-á-á-á Money, money, money

Follow the money.-á Republican coffers are low and itGÇÖs because no one wants to give money to a loser or worse yet, turncoats.-á The liberals and lefties are foaming at the bit in anticipation and they are writing checks likeGǪ.well, the federal government.-á Money follows power and opportunity.-á Guess whoGÇÖs ahead in that department right now.

10.-á-á The Demographics of a Clinton/Obama ticket

YepGǪ.IGÇÖm guessing itGÇÖll be Clinton/Obama.-á Think about the coalition that such a ticket will inspire.-á Democrats, liberals, African-Americans, Women/Feminists and anti-war activists.-á TheyGÇÖll take every state (easily) that Kerry won in GÇÿ04 and knock off a couple of more close ones.-á Republicans will win a handful of Southern and Western states with a couple of Midwestern states, but not a lot.-á The Dems will sweep the Northeast and left coast.-á TheyGÇÖll take out Colorado, the Northern tier and multiple Midwestern states.-á They have a chance in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and a smattering of Southern states.-á They are simply unbeatable.

ItGÇÖs still early and a lot of things can change from a terrorist attack to a stock market crash.-á But I think most folks need to practice saying it.-á CGÇÖmonGǪ.altogether nowGǪ GÇ£President Hillary Clinton and the First HusbandGǪ.BillGÇ¥.-á

Can anyone make an argument that IGÇÖm not right?-á PLEASE?-á

I received a lot of positive feedback on my reprint of Dr. Charles Wood’s take on the “Biggest Problem among Evangelicals and Fundamentalists” last week.-á I’ve tried for years to get Dr. Wood to take up blogging and he is still resisting.-á I frankly think he has a lot to say that we need to hear, but until he decides to start his own blog, I plan on giving you some of his best stuff to “chew on”.

Christian Education is something that I appreciate and in which I believe — from preschool to grad school.-á The vast majority of my educational experience has been in Christian schools which would include all but twelve of the last forty-one years in some form or fashion.-á It has long been a frustration of mine that some seem to imply that to get a “good” education, one must attend a secular school — preferably an “Ivy-League” school or some prestigious school like Duke University or Notre Dame.

In one of his recent essays, Dr. Wood takes aim at that notion and I feel inclined to share it with you today.-á Here’s what he thinks…

-á-á-á-á-áRepeatedly over the years parents have vindicated their decision to send their children to secular colleges (which they had every right to do)-áwith the remark, GÇ£I just want him/her to get the very best quality education possible.GÇ¥-á There is usually another disclaimer added to that statement (for instance, GÇ£So he/she can make a positive contribution to our worldGÇ¥).-á All-too-often, however, lurking beneath the surface, not buried far enough to be invisible, was the real reason for such a decision; GÇ£I want my kid to able to make lots of money so he/she can enjoy a lifestyle equal or superior to mine.GÇ¥-á Frankly, for all our efforts to inveigh against it and to point out the Biblical approach to materialism, we have not done a very good job of educating (or convincing) a lot of believers.
-á-á-á-á-áThe materialism involved, however, isnGÇÖt what troubles me.-á It-áis the sheer naivete that assumes a GÇ£qualityGÇ¥ education can best be obtained at a prestigious secular educational institution.-á-á Obviously, there are notable exceptions, but fifty plus years of experience have convinced me that it is much more likely that a young person will obtain that GÇ£qualityGÇ¥ education at an academically solid Christian college or university than at a secular institution.-á I am aware that there are career tracks - although not very many - that are not covered in the Christian educational arena.-á I am also aware that certain departments in secular universities are much more likely to be acceptable than others, but I still stand convinced that the education in many Christian colleges is equal or superior to that to be obtained in some of the best-known secular schools in the country.
-á-á-á-á-áLed by Duke and Columbia Universities, secular higher education has cowered under more than its share of the spotlight recently, but the egregious violations that have transpired at those two schools appear at least somewhat typical of conditions in many, if not most, of their sister schools.-á The Duke lacrosse players have been exonerated, the prosecutor has been disgraced and disbarred, the President of the University has delivered a half-hearted apology (which well-placed sources suggest was part of the agreement reached between the falsely accused young men and the UniversityGÇÖs bank account), and the lacrosse program has been reinstated.-á There remains, however, the issue of the eighty-eight faculty members who declared themselves prosecutor, judge and jury and rendered a guilty verdict before even the most embryonic aspect of the story were known.-á One of them has recanted and distanced himself for the others.-á One other of the eighty-eight has said that if he knew then what he knows now, he never would have signed the letter.-á The other eighty-six?-á They sit securely in their class rooms, enjoying tenure (or steadily progressing toward that magic kingdom) without sanction, rebuke or any type of formal action by the University
-á-á-á-á-áAm I too harsh in my assessment?-á I think not.-á Some of the signatories of the original letter, in spite of everything that has now been clearly explicated, continue to maintain that GÇ£something must have happenedGÇ¥ because the situation involved interaction between GÇ£privileged white malesGÇ¥ and a person of minority status. These people are competent to provide a GÇ£quality education?GÇ¥-á Again, I think not!-á IGÇÖm sure this group comprises just a small portion of what must be a vastly larger faculty roster, but it is hardly a small cadre, and it is doubtlessly highly influential in the disciplines it represents.-á In at least some areas, the modern secular university is no longer a place for learning and the free exchange of ideas; it is far more a place for the indoctrination of young people, and the imposition of a rigid set of ideals, most of which are far from the thinking of mainstream Americans.
-á-á-á-á-áWhen viewed in its full scope, the situation at Columbia is even more illustrative of the depth to which GÇ£higher educationGÇ¥ has been debased by an ideology based on presuppositions.-á-á The obviously demented head of a foreign state that is committed to destroy our nation is invited to speak on the campus and given something of a heroGÇÖs welcome by a portion of the student body and much of the faculty.-á The President then introduces this maniac tyrant by asking him a series of GÇ£hard questionGÇ¥ (most of which the man never actually answers), and we are supposed to believe that the GÇ£free exchange of ideasGÇ¥ has been facilitated?-á The illustrations mount up and include such schools as Dartmouth, Harvard, the University of California at Irvine, and an host of others too numerous to name (even a Catholic school, Ave Maria, and supposedly evangelical Oral Roberts are in the news).
-á-á-á-á-áShould believers eschew all secular institutions as a result?-á Probably not (I donGÇÖt know of a pharmacy program or a medical school that I would be comfortable calling genuinely Christian), but Christians might be wise to stop using the GÇ£quality educationGÇ¥ mantra when vindicating enrollment at secular institutions.-á In general, there is no need whatever for conservative evangelicals to apologize for the quality of the education being offered at many of their schools.-á I am personally familiar with Cedarville, Liberty, Bethel (Indiana), Grace, Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan, and a number of other schools (I am sure I am inadvertently omitting some institutions that are well-worthy of inclusion).-á In my opinion, they all offer outstanding academics and also maintain a serious spiritual emphasis (even though many of us would not agree with all aspects of the doctrinal assertions of their various GÇ£statements of faithGÇ¥).-á Since my fundamentalist credentials were rescinded several years ago, I have lost touch with most of the fundamentalist schools, but I am sure there are some among them that would also qualify for the term GÇ£excellentGÇ¥ in the context in which they operate.-á-á-á-á-án++
-á-á-á-á-áThere are believers teaching in many of the more secular schools.-á In my opinion, whether or not they should be doing so is entirely within the province of their own individual soul liberty, and I donGÇÖt believe anyone else is obligated or even privileged to judge their decision to do so.-á They are, however, GÇ£strangers in a foreign landGÇ¥ and are worthy of our prayers!-á Many of them seek to keep at least a little candle burning in the neon atmosphere of “education as indoctrinationGÇ¥ that dominates in so many situations..
-á-á-á-á-áWant your child to have a quality education?-á By all means do what you can to assure it!-á Just donGÇÖt assume that the only place it can be found is in a secular setting.-á Quite frankly, the quality of the education to be secured at many highly-regarded institutions is suspect at best and a myth at worst.-á There is quality to be found in Christian schools.-á Although beliefs may be slightly different, there is Biblical undergirding for the academic programs, and an active and enthusiastic spiritual atmosphere is treasured.

There’s something about me and seeing churches planted in cities named “Denver.”-á Last year, I-áenjoyed helping a dear friend start-áProvidence Church in Denver, NC.-á This year, I want to encourage you to consider helping another friend who is starting a church, Providence Bible Church, in Denver, CO.-á

Jason Janz has become a friend of mine over the last couple of years.-á Last June, I had the pleasure of getting to meet with him personally and his sweet family when they visited in Charlotte where I live.-á Jason is a go-getter with a big vision and big plans for serving the Lord.-á He feels lead of the Lord to plan a church in the heart of Denver, CO and his is a vision I admire and want to support.

You can read more of his testimony and what he hopes to accomplish in the coming year HERE.-á I hope you’ll become a prayer partner of this church and that you’ll also send a gift by clicking on the link you’ll find in the article and video.-á I just sent my first (but not my last) gift via paypal and I hope you’ll do the same as we encourage this pioneer pastor, dear wife and four great kids.

Take the time to watch the entire video and then let Jason know you are behind him, will you?