By David Ettinger
A Launching Pad
I have written before about using political discussions as a launching pad for the Gospel. After all, Christians are not on this Earth to win political arguments, but to tell people about Jesus Christ.
On Facebook recently, I had the opportunity to do just that as a dear friend (name changed here) took issue with a blog I wrote. Here is the discussion, beginning with my friend.
The Discussion
David, I read your blogs because I use it as an information source, important for me in trying to understand why we are where we are at this point, which is a complete state of stupidity. I mostly blame Christians for putting this narcissistic a__hole [President Trump] in power and giving him credence. In addition to casting millions of votes for him (twice), Christians have legitimized this idiot and provided him cover and are easily his biggest endorsers (you continue to do so in another blog by alleging voter fraud with no proof). This is something you will have to live with forever (decisions have consequences). And like it or not, that has driven people like me further from Christianity instead of closer and I believe will greatly harm your cause for decades to come.
You provided the explanation several months ago for this blind support when you explained that it doesn’t matter to “Christians” if someone is a lying sack of s__t that screws porn stars behind his wife’s back, as long as you believe he’s in line with your “biblical worldview.” I find that insulting and extremely dangerous and it has proven so in a very personal way for me, with no City suffering more from this ineptitude than my own (see Walmart shooter who was inspired by the d___head presidents rhetoric and current Covid situation in El Paso which he has ignored).
I actually agreed with the blog above about politicians listening to Ezekiel (you are a talented writer and your bible knowledge is unmatched). We all should want politicians who are in it to serve us and not themselves, which is why I never vote by party but rather by character (which your candidate lacks). However, you never point out in this blog that you and your Christian friends never applied these guidelines you wrote about and instead voted for the biggest narcissist in the world.
Forgive me for my anger, but I just find the fact you know better (as stated in this blog), but allowed your “biblical worldview” to override your better judgment, to be rather confusing and dangerous. Again, I read your blogs to try and understand so-called “Christian” thinking, which has put not only my City, but my country in danger.
I will never forgive “Christians” for that. And although I grew up in a Christian home, I will never identify that way again due to the damage “Christianity” has inflicted the past four years. While I am perplexed why someone as smart and talented as you would help inflict this damage with your blogs and votes (twice!), I am grateful for the explanations you have provided me. I just pray you and other “Christians” like you can live with yourselves, because many of us blame your way of “thinking” for the current situation.
My Reply
Hi Sam. I certainly understand your anger, especially in light of what El Paso is enduring (both now and with the shooting).
On a personal level, regarding President Trump, for the record, I did not vote for him in 2016, but did this year. Also, back during his impeachment push, had that actually resulted in him being ousted from office and Vice President Pence replacing him, I would have been satisfied.
Regarding the issue of the biblical worldview, which I know gets under your skin, this truly is the number one issue. This is because Christians regard, or should regard, the Bible as God’s true Word. Of course, number one on the list is abortion, which we view as murder. Even if this was the lone issue, it would be enough for supporting political entities that support life, and abhor its murder in the womb. The Democrat Party has supported abortion – to the tune of 60 million-plus since 1973.
To use your words, “This is something you will have to live with forever (decisions have consequences).” And, “will greatly harm your cause for decades to come,” let alone at the judgment seat of God.
I don’t know what President Trump’s true view of abortion is, but he has supported the cause (legally speaking) of life in the womb, and this looms large with Christians.
Also, the Republican Party has supported religious freedom. For instance, Christian bakers and florists should never have to use their skills for causes they regard as sin (same-sex marriage). Liberal lawmakers would force us to do so. In the same way, a Christian should never walk into a Jewish-owned, Muslim-owned, or atheist-owned bakery and demand they provide a cake with the words, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” These establishments should have the right to refuse such a request. Christians respect their right to do so.
Under Democrat leadership (especially the Progressive wing), it will be only a matter of time before the Bible will be legally declared a hate manual, and that its practice will be illegal. Again, I have no idea what the President thinks in his heart (as opposed to the true Christian Vice President Pence), but at least he has legislated in favor of religious freedom.
As far as finding blame for all that is happening, human scapegoats are easy. The truth is that we are a race of people under judgment because we have turned our backs on God, plain and simple. Obedience to God is what brings peace and blessing, not the people who run countries.
But ultimately, Sam, the most important thing of all is the message of the Gospel: That human beings were born separate from God because of natural sin; will be punished for eternity in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14-15) because of it; but that God has provided a redeemer in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23); and that those who accept His lordship will spend eternal life in Heaven with Him (John 3:36; 1 John 5:11-12).
And this, by leaps and bounds, is THE bottom line. When you and I first met, I was in my 30s and you either the same or in your upper 20s (I can’t remember our age difference). Next month I turn 63, and you are now in your 50s. We are all heading to the end of this life; as the expression goes, “No one gets out alive.” It is inevitable.
And when we do, we will go before God Almighty for judgment. We will not be judged for our political views or our achievements, but whether or not we accepted or rejected the free offer of eternal life in Christ. No glibness or passionate argument will change this truth. God has set the rules, and we either accept or refuse.
The opportunity for salvation is now (in this life), and now only. May God move your heart and open your eyes that you may see His truth and not be clouded by the evil that infests our world like a plague.
God’s peace upon you, Sam, in these challenging times in which we live.
Please let us be in prayer as never before for our loved ones and friends who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
EttingerWriting.com 
vicklea
November 16, 2020
I am re-blogging because I totally agree with your reasoning and want others to have the opportunity to see how well-thought out it is. I will post for those who read it to go to the original blog and like and follow the blog there.
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
Thank you, Vickie. I appreciate it!
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Tom
November 16, 2020
Thanks, David. I enjoyed the “dialogue” and the points you presented. As you mentioned, I could not support the Democratic Party. Several of the principle tenets of its platform are antithetical to Gospel Christianity. On the other hand, I agree in part with some of “Sam’s” assessments of President Trump, although I would not use his language. American Christians’ close identification with the Republican Party “temporalizes” the Gospel to a degree by conflating faith and politics. Christians come across as trying to legislate/impose their “morality” rather than sowing the Gospel. In that sense, I think American Christians’ strong focus on temporal politics is putting the cart before the horse. I don’t have the answer as to the precise relationship between church and state, but American Christians have historically erred far too much to the side of conflation. All that said, I appreciate your focus on the Gospel at the end. People fight over politics and others embrace because they’re politically like-minded, but none of it matters one iota if you haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior by faith alone and been born-again.
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
Thanks, Tom. I agree with everything you wrote. Of course, everything in that exchange was about getting down to the Gospel. Regarding the use of politics, Paul instructs us to be all things to all people. So though I am not heavily political, I follow enough to know what’s going on and to enter intelligent discussions for the very purpose of this post.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tom!
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Zama-Zoe Grace
November 16, 2020
That was intense and glad that he finally saw things the way they should be. May you continue to be the light and make an impact for the kingdom of Christ.
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
Thank you for the kind words!
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Blue Collar Theologian
November 16, 2020
David, this is why I am glad I am not on FaceBook! Your response was amazing! I doubt I would have responded with the same grace and poise. Again why I am not on FaceBook! I appreciate your levelheadedness and clarity! Did you see your little man yesterday to give him his gift?!
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
Hi Mandy. Thank you for the kind words. The key to handle such exchanges is not taking anything personally. If you can do that, you can handle Facebook just fine. And yes, I was with Zac all day yesterday and did give him his present.
In fact, I posted pictures of the two of us on Facebook and … oh, forgot, never mind.
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Bruce Cooper
November 16, 2020
Hi David. Good exchange and considering the wide spectrum that was covered, I thought you did well. Unfortunately, I also see some credible observations and conclusions that Sam raised and I can understand and appreciate his perspective. I do agree with him that there has been a lot of harm done to the credibility of some within the Church, and subsequently the whole “associated” Church at large, by confusing and prioritizing political power and mandated policies over changing hearts by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If the Church had focused on the latter effectively, the former would be a natural by-product versus far too many putting the cart before the horse. And irrespective of our acknowledgement of the worth and necessity of godly character, mixing cheap wine with good wine diminishes rather than enhances and to ignore that reality is not only biblically short sighted but also, in my estimation, a form of spiritual blindness. Try as one might, morality cannot be effectively mandated, if hearts have not been changed. And you can correct me if you think I am wrong, but from what I see, the New Testament authors, who were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, deliberately chose to avoid mixing worldly politics with the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for that very reason. And now, we not only have a house divided, but also a house within a house divided and no matter which way you look at that division, there is only one entity that wins with that combination and it isn’t our Lord. And I find it all sad. Blessings.
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
All true, Bruce. But the point of this blog is that this is the way things actually are, and that we have to deal with it the best we can.
Though I agree with everything you said, we still must take people where they are and point them to the Gospel. This is at least one way to do it.
“Sam” can come back to me with political arguments, which I won’t engage with again, but the main thing is that I gave him the Gospel, and it is the all-important thing he needs to deal with.
Thanks for the feedback, Bruce.
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jarilissima
November 16, 2020
He sounds gullible 😒 because all the reasons he gave (such as “scr*wing porn stars”) are at best tabloid rumors… Stories that cannot be verified. Obama had such a story, too. Not many people remember.
Good for you for giving him a nice, thorough reply. You are a more patient, better person than I am!
He said, “I will never identify that way again due to the damage “Christianity” has inflicted the past four years.” Gah. It IS very sad to see that he gave up on Christ based on Facebook junk ☹️ Also sad that he thinks following Jesus is something you “identify as.”
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
So true on every count, and extremely well said. He’s definitely at a point where human reason can’t penetrate his thoughts, however, and happily, God can. That’s my greatest desire for him, that God will makes Himself known to “Sam” in a mighty way.
Thank you for your great insights!
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dawnfanshawe
November 16, 2020
A very interesting dialogue and similar to many I have been involved in, though I’m not sure I’m as gracious or concise as yourself. I don’t find myself “knowing” the truth about any politicians with as much certainty as either of you in your debate. I had a four hour “chat” this morning, and could hear the over-riding lament from my lips responding – but I just don’t KNOW what the truth of that person/theory/ statistic is!
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dettinger47
November 16, 2020
Thank you, Dawn. My primary objection is know as much about politics as possible to be able to converse intelligently with someone such as my friend, and then take him or her to the Gospel. (Talk about a run-on sentence!)
The key is to never get angry, and never take anything personally, but to love the lost enough to give them the Gospel.
I was saved 2 years following you (I read your testimony), coming out of a Jewish family in New York City. In 34 years, I have still not seen a family member come to Christ, and this inspires me to get the Gospel out whenever God “drops an opportunity in my lap (as he did with my friend).
Thank you for finding my blog, Dawn, and I’ll certainly visit your yours more often.
May Christ’s peace be with you!
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dawnfanshawe
November 16, 2020
Fabulous!
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