Shock and Awe

For nigh on to six decades now, my life has found itself intertwined with politics of some sort. To be perfectly transparent, my first introduction to politics came, in all places, at a local Baptist church. For the not-so-faint of heart, that simply is to say that any close infighting that exists between Democrats and Republicans does not begin to hold a candle to the renowned Monday night deacon’s meeting. In the same vein, Facebook, X or any other new-fangled social media can, in no way, compare to the fake news embedded in the juicy conversation that would occur over a fruit cocktail congealed Jello salad carefully placed over a leaf of iceberg lettuce with a dabble of fresh cottage cheese on top, which was enjoyed by all at a good old fashioned Baptist women’s circle of old. Oh, and do not forget the pineapple juice, lime sherbet and 7-up cup of punch that it took to wash the concoction and the “prayer list” down.

Just a short time later as I entered my preteen years, I began to be indoctrinated into the world of politics as defined by the Democrat party of yesteryear. You see, I was a Baptist and a Democrat, albeit a very young one, because that was just what was expected in the one-stop sign town that made up my earliest existence on planet Earth. Now, of course, much of that has changed. The Baptists are thankfully not what they used to be, and that is probably a good thing. On the other hand, the Democrat party is also not what it used to be, and, in many ways, that seems to be a real shame. Like the cross-segment of my long-time acquaintances of the same species as myself, the Democrats left us and not the other way around.

All of this brings us to the present day and the seeming force of nature that has overtaken our nation’s capital and even invaded the capitals of various states. You can believe what you want and speak your mind about the newfound course of Mr. Trump’s administration, but I dare say that even the most ardent, liberal left-wing Democrat is just a little jealous of what they are seeing with their own two eyes and hearing with their own two ears. On the surface they may be crying “foul,” but in the deepest part of their souls, they are wishing that Mr. Biden or Ms. Harris were not only in the position, but had the nerve and leadership to do the same things Mr. Trump is doing except, of course, in ways that were in keeping with their particular point of view. Frankly, good, bad or ugly, Washington, D.C. has not seen this kind of style of leadership coupled with the shock and awe of accomplishment in many a year, if ever.

While it is easy to be truly impressed by the clear and pervasive spectacle of the “new sheriff in town” mentality of Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance, it does not necessarily follow that everything that is being accomplished at the moment will stand the test of time. Anyone who is being honest about their love for democracy would have to admit that even the idea of an “executive order” issued solely by the president is not within the best definition of a “system of checks and balances.” To be sure, much of what Mr. Trump is changing stems from Mr. Biden’s overuse of that same method of making law. At a minimum, what we are seeing is that protocols created in this manner are clearly subject to any change of direction of the winds of politics. Nevertheless, Mr. Trump has indeed hit the ground running, and his enemies are in disarray from the onslaught of the “shock and awe” of the lightning-quick, fearsome charge of the Republican cavalry.

Certainly, we should not expect any quick or total political fixes to the present state in which America finds herself. It should be a given that any prudent person would not be in total agreement with any president or his methodology. While I have been impressed with many of Mr. Trump’s decisions, there have been a few appointments and orders that I have had to take a second or third look to try to figure out. Even then, I still have not completely got my mind around one or two. Nonetheless, suffice it to say that from my first days of Baptist politics and even through the turmoil of the 60s, Watergate and beyond, in secular politics, I have just never seen anything like what is happening now in our nation’s capital. But to be perfectly honest, I really do not know of a place or a people that deserve it more.

All politics of any nature aside, we, at Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES), realize that any resolution of the scourge of vexations that are consuming our nation is not to be found in politics. The problem with Christianity in America and the political parties of today is that they seek only to conform folks to their respective mindsets. The message of Christ, however, is one of transformation into the likeness of Christ himself. All the falderal and infighting of our politicians is nothing more than a symptom of a rudderless nation and the emasculation of the American church. Our salvation does not lie in the pronouncement of “executive orders,” legislation of Congress, or even SCOTUS decisions or the so-called “social gospel.” This malaise in which we find ourselves as a people can only be penetrated by a return to God and to the Lordship of His only Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of all the confusion, we should be mindful of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:28 when He proclaims, “When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near.” Instead of depending on the politics du jour, that is exactly what we are doing at SES. All around us, we see the Spirit of God beginning to move in this nation. Because of that, we are standing up, steadfast in the truth of the Gospel, preparing to lock arms with believers all around America to proclaim the year of the Lord. By the way, if you think that Mr. Trump’s action amounts to “shock and awe,” just wait until God’s Holy Spirit sweeps across our nation. In all of my years, and I bet in all of yours, no matter how old you are, “we ain’t seen nothing like what’s getting ready to happen.”

By and through the grace of God, I pray that you will join us. Now is the time! Revival is waiting for America; if not now, when? If we do not lead, who will?