Well here it goes. This is where I prove to a number of San Diego conservatives what some have questioned but lacked proof to substantiate – Eric Andersen is neither conservative nor Christian … or is he?
At the San Diego County Republican Christmas event we heard invocations from two members of our community. A Rabbi and Skyline Pastor Jim Garlow. Two individuals whom I respect and admire. I’m especially inspired by Garlow’s Pulpit Freedom Sunday. A courageous, biblical and constitutional exercise of religious freedom.
I applaud our party’s commitment to recognize God and to open our meetings seeking His wisdom and guidance. Indeed it is one of the primary reasons I am a Republican. Where my concern lies is with Pastor Garlow’s use of time leading up to his invocation with an exhortation that we politically align with Israel.
As a follower of Christ I believe our words and actions are only Christian to the extent they cohere with the nature and teaching of Christ. There is no favoritism in the New Covenant. If you pardon me, I would say, as did the Apostle Paul, “there is no Jew nor Gentile.” Racial distinctions among men became obsolete at the cross. Not only do I not believe such can be supported Biblically, but I am against violating the 8th Commandment and the U.S. Constitution to support it (foreign aid and wealth redistribution).
But that is only part of the reason I disagree
For example, Orthodox Judaism has existed for thousands of years. Zionism for one hundred. Orthodox Judaism acknowledges the Messiah. Zionists reject him. Orthodox Judaism acknowledges the Torah as essential. Zionism rejects it. Orthodox Jews walk by faith. Zionists by sight. Orthodox Jews define themselves spiritually. Zionists define themselves materially. Orthodox Jews see themselves in a covenant relationship with God. Zionists do not. Orthodox Jews rejected the founding of the nation called “Israel.” Zionists embraced it.
Why isn’t our political ethic matching our theology?
If the covenant God made with Moses was conditional why are we treating Israel as if it was not? If Christ is treating the Old Covenant with racial Israel as obsolete, why aren’t we? If Christ foretold the taking of the kingdom from Israel, why are we attempting to physically sustain it?
I found it disingenuous for Pastor Garlow’s wife to be introduced as someone other than whom she is, Rosemary Garlow. Why was she introduced by the name of her ex-husband? From what I understand she is not a descendent of Oskar Schindler and was only related via a prior marriage. This comes across as an attempt to associate that which is admirable (Schindler’s heroic action) with that which is not (the church using state (force) redistribution of property for a racial group of non-Americans. Christ only has one ethic. He does not have one ethic for racial Israel and another for the rest of mankind.
In my opinion a conservative, a constitutional and Christian conservative, is one who “conserves” the ideals our nation was founded upon. Property redistribution and racial favoritism are neither conservative nor Christian values.
I do not question the Pastor’s noble intent but in Christian theology intent doesn’t sanctify action. When we defend God given rights, natural rights, via peaceful means our actions can be said to be “Christian”. When believers use the sword of the state to violate those same laws we unknowingly become instruments of dissension instead of peace. We unknowingly become proponents of big instead of limited government.
Christ, The Prince of Peace, desires that we be peacemakers. The government is only “upon his shoulders” when we submit to his ways. Much of the terror/fear we face has its genesis in departing from such. If we desire to be instruments of peace, and for the gospel to be proclaimed to all nations, I think it important that we consider submitting to his means. Ideas have consequences that may not be peaceful.
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Eric Andersen is a member of the Central Committee of the San Diego County Republican Party and is the Co-Founder of the Republican Liberty Caucus of San Diego County and im2moro.com. He is a former Rock Church Citizen of the Year.