David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times, has written an interesting article on President Obama’s Christian Realism. Brooks addresses Obama’s position on fighting evil in the world as one holding the vantage point of a cold war liberal. Although this is interesting, I am more interested in the theological concepts of Brooks’ article.
Brooks gives the reader a quick recent history of how our worldviews have shifted. He begins his article by revisiting the common worldview that was once held concerning evil in the early to mid 20th century by quoting former Princeton University president John Hibben, who said, “Life is a struggle to push back against the evils of the world without succumbing to the passions of the beast lurking inside.” What a profound statement. Hibben recognizes that when we as humans attempt to fight evil there is a chance that we will be overcome by the very thing we are fighting. Brooks reinforces this theme by writing, “So as you act to combat evil, you wouldn’t want to get carried away by your own righteousness or be seduced by the belief that you are innocent. Even fighting evil can be corrupting.” This has an unbelievable resemblance to 1 John 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
While this has a profound meaning for us as a nation, it also help us in our personal lives. Fighting sin is dangerous. Paul writes to the Galatians, “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also (Gal. 6:1).” There is a real danger in trying to fight sin in other peoples lives as well as in our own because of the beast that is lurking inside. This is why trying to appease God by mustering enough will power and performance will never ever be enough. Its like being out on the great sea in a row boat with a large hole in it. It doesn’t matter how nice your bucket is or how dedicated you are at removing the water, your future is predictable unless you are rescued by someone other than yourself.
This is why Paul writes, “But as for me, I will never boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; [what matters] instead is a new creation. Because of Christ’s atoning work on the cross we are now a new creation if we have embraced him as Lord and Savior. The message of Christmas is that God sent His perfect Son to live a perfect life. Jesus, by dying on a cross that was meant for you and me, satisfied God’s wrath that was directed towards us. God the Father resurrected Him from the dead, and now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father saying to you, “Come to me all of you who are weary and and burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt. 11:28).”
