Who speaks for God, II

Meandering through one of my favorite web-sites the other day, I stumbled upon Michael Medved's blog where he touted a new book by former National Review literary editor and now Discovery Institute fellow, David Klinghoffer, titled "How Would God Vote?"

While the title will rankle no feathers, the subtitle will elicit piercing screams that would impress the melting Witch of the West, "Why the Bible Commands You to be a Conservative."

First, I have not read the book but look forward to doing so. The premise has been my contention all along. I assume Klinghoffer has taken the time to scour God's word in context to note how the Bible points to conservative vice liberal governance.

Second, Klinghoffer, like Medved, is a conservative orthodox Jew. While we will certainly disagree on the salvation issue, the orthodox Jew and regenerate Christian have much in common in their living out their conviction. It will be interesting to see if he delves into New Testament writings at all.

Finally, I have heard that there are sections that will either raise eyebrows or furrow the brow for the conservative, sections dealing with immigration and gun control.

I've been asked recently about Christian disagreements and denominations. How can two folks look at the same Word and come to such different conclusions? Most of it comes down to the science and art of biblical interpretation. A century and a half ago a movement began in Germany called Higher Criticism that began to chip away at the veracity, the truth, of Scripture. Much of what came out of that movement has led to the atrophy of such bastions of the Reformation Lutheranism, Methodism, and half of Presbyterianism.

Do Christians remain in these denominations? Without a doubt. But rather than a higher view of Scripture, Higher Criticism, by reducing the inspiration and inerrancy of God's word, is a lower view of Scripture and as such, has left many Christians without the proper tools to take God's word and assess our culture, our government, our churches, or our lives.

Sincerity and passion do not make a belief or conviction true. I can be sincere and passionate while at the same time be sincerely and passionately wrong because what I believe stands opposed to the whole counsel of God's word. When I am wrong, I pray that a brother or sister comes to me, with Bible in hand, and shows me the way of truth through the source of Truth.

I appreciate David Klinghoffer having the courage to write such a book. Now let's see if it's worth its ink.

(Klinghoffer has a blog where he has posted what is printed on the book's jacket. You can find it here).