Dear St. Paul’s Family,
See if these election-time questions sound familiar:
- Do we choose change or experience?
- Do we look for charisma or pedigree?
- Do we hope for the future or reclaim past glory?
These might sound like they were snapped off the latest public opinion polls, but it may surprise you to hear that these were asked by people in the nation of Israel, in 930 B.C. King Solomon had died, and the great empire built by him and his father David was in the midst of tremendous political upheaval. In its midst was this central question: “Who will be our leader?”
Opinions were divided into two camps. There were those who believed in following the succession of blood relatives of David. He was, after all, the one with whom God had made an everlasting covenant, promising his heirs on the throne forever. These were the “pedigree” people, and they lived in Judah, in the south.
To the north were the “charisma” people, who believed that their king should be determined by one’s ability to demonstrate that God was with them. If they could prove that they had what it took to defeat foreign enemies, call people to obedience to God, and usher in a future of promise, then they were the ones that God had chosen for that time.
These divisions were so deep that the nation was irreconcilably split into two nations in 930 B.C. There was the Southern Kingdom, with Solomon’s son Rehoboam as its king in the capital of Jerusalem. And, there was the Northern Kingdom, with Jeroboam as its king in the new capital of Shechem.
WHO ARE WE?
It has often been said that elections are more than about who we want as a leader. They are also about who we believe ourselves to be. This was never more true than in the case of Ancient Israel, for their divisions were more than about policies and issues. They were about national identity, as well as their belief in God.
The Southern Kingdom, those who adhered to the promise of the Davidic covenant, believed in a God who was fixed, immobile, and always faithful to keep his promises. Theirs was a belief in an immutable, changeless God, whose presence could always be found in the Temple, and whose King was a living embodiment of the eternal promise made with David. This was a God of stasis and faithfulness, and this God didn’t move.
But those in the North had a different perspective. They identified God as the one who led the people from slavery to freedom in the wilderness. A God who was always on the move, charging forward as a pillar of cloud by day and a fire by night. This God was free to choose as he desired the best course of action for any given moment. Instead of believing themselves to be a “Temple” people, the tribes of the North were a “Tabernacle” people, who believed that God was on the march, and they best choose a leader whom God had anointed for that given time. And whenever that leader failed to perform, it was time to select a new king (often by assassination, which is why kings in the south always served until natural death.)
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ELECTION
I did some calculating today. This will be only my fifth presidential election. And in many ways, it feels like the most important one. Not just because the issues of war, the economy, health care, immigration, and education are so critical, but because it feels like we are a nation at a critical crossroads in determining our identity.
Susan Page, a political columnist for the USA Today, touched on this with an excellent front page article last Friday:
The nation is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, a diversity that has spread across the country. Aging Baby Boomers remain the biggest generational group in the electorate, but second in size are the Millennials — 18- to 31-year-olds who have distinctive attitudes toward race and politics. In the space of a generation, Americans have seen dramatic changes in the roles of women, the structure of families and the nature of the workplace. There has been a revolution in the technology that delivers information and knits communities….Presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama personify that changing nation in striking ways. In age, race and life experience — even in use of innovative technology in the campaign — they mirror a nation in transition. (“Stage Set for Pivotal Realignment in ‘08”, USA Today, September 5, 2008)
And later in the article, William Frey, a Brookings Institution scholar who analyzes population trends, offered, "This is a pivotal moment in the sense that the politics is catching up to the demographic changes."
As a result, both presidential tickets are attempting to negotiate these massive demographic plates shifting beneath our culture. Both offer a balance between novelty (Obama and Palin) and pedigree (Biden and McCain). Both have seized the “change” mantra while attempting to reassure experience and instill trust.
And this has translated into widespread interest in both campaigns. Millions in record numbers have watched both conventions, and voter registrations throughout the country are at an all-time high. People are recognizing that the historic significance of this election is broader than just having the first African-American president or first female vice-president. Deep down inside, I think we realize that this election will say volumes about who we believe we are, and where we believe we are headed.
In the end, I am confident that our fate will not be the same as that of ancient Israel: irreconcilably divided into two separate nations. But this is all the more reason to take this election seriously, be fully informed about the candidates and not just rely on campaign spin, to get involved in the process, and by all means, exercise our freedom to vote.
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
Join us for worship this Sunday as we continue in our sermon series on Jonah with a sermon focusing on his prayer in the midst of the fish’s belly. You can read ahead by looking at Jonah 2-3.
ADULTS NEEDED FOR ADVENTURELAND TRIP
We have a number of youth interested in going to this Saturday’s trip to Adventureland, but we have a shortage of adults able to stay in the park and serve as chaperones. Please let Karla Wilkie know by this Thursday night if you can help, so we can let the youth know if this trip will go forward. The cost of your ticket will be covered.
NEW SENIOR HIGH YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
Ever wonder what your faith has to do with the way you live, and with issues that are facing the world? Starting this Sunday, senior high youth are invited to join John Chalstrom on a six-week exploration of the United Methodist Social Principles. Join us for this informative and inspiring class on Sundays at 9am.
PORK FEED SEPTEMBER 28
It’s that time of year again! Mark your calendars for our annual Pork Feed on September 28 to help raise money for our Next Generation Fund. Once again, the Parker family will be providing the delicious main course, and we are asking you to bring a side dish to share.
No comments:
Post a Comment