Weary of Obama's Lip Service

For some time, I have been promoting a common ground policy on abortion reduction. I first embraced abortion reduction because my progressive friends were prodding me to join with them to save unborn lives. When these individuals asked me to rally with them around such things as increased funding for adoption and comprehensive sexual education with an abstinence emphasis, I was happy to sign on. Other evangelicals like Joel Hunter, Sam Rodriguez, and David Gushee also signed onto this common ground agenda. 

I still support abortion reduction; that has not changed.

What has changed is the number of steps taken by the Obama administration to undermine the abortion reduction platform they have so boldly proclaimed. These steps are the subject of a new USA Today article by David Gushee entitled, "Mr. President, We Need More than Lip Service" and include: 

- Obama overturned the Mexico City Policy. Tragic, but expected. 

- Then, he revoked the "provider refusal" rule that protected healthcare workers' from violating their consciences. 

- Next, Obama nominated the radically pro-choice Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services. 

- Finally, the President boldly opened up the issue of stem cell research by repealing the bans that were in place. 

What happened to all the talk about "change?" It doesn't seem like much has changed to me.

"Mr. Obama, we need more than lip service on these crucial issues," Gushee said. I know others like myself stand with Dr. Gushee in expressing disappointment with these policies. We need a rapid change in direction from these policies, one that bridges the banks of the culture wars. The failure to make good on abortion reduction promises will breed animosity and division among those whom Obama has promised to unite. 

Healing for a Broken World

Today, I picked up a book for the first time and now I can't put it down. The book is Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy by Steven Monsma. For some time, I have been looking for a book that offers a balanced approach to public policy that all evangelicals--both left-leaning and right-leaning--can rally around. This book just might be it. 

The book has an star-studded and diverse list of endorsements that by itself almost warrants reading the book. From the right, Monsma is endorsed by Chuck Colson, Francis Beckwith, Os Guiness and Joel Belz of World Magazine; from the center or left (depending on how you see it), Ron Sider, David Gushee and Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life. The content is equally provocative. Monsma tackles important issues, such as church and state, life issues, poverty, human rights violations, and war. 

If you have not read this book, consider ordering it. If you have read it, let me know if what you thought about it. I'd love to know if anyone feels like I do.

This morning, the New York Times released an article entitled "Taking Their Faith, but Not Their Politics, to The People," which touches on something I have been speaking about on this forum for some time: the de-emphasis of partisan politics in the American evangelical community. The article makes some interesting and truthful points stating that young evangelicals are still resolute in their support of the sanctity of human life and traditional marriage, but they are also broadening their support to include issues like the environment, human rights, and care for the poor and people with AIDS.

The Times piece features interviews by Darrin Patrick, David Gushee, my good friend Dean Inserra, the director of Acts 29 Network, and yours truly (that's me, in case you were wondering). I think it is correct in its analysis and fairly written. It is definitely worth a read.

Anyone want to chime in on whether or not you think this analysis is correct or agenda-driven?

How do you think evangelicalism will look differently in the next 5, 10 or -- years?