Politics, Persuasion and Faith in Light of Terri Schiavo: The Need for Grace, Proper Focus and Wisdom

To some Presbyterian friends: the Gospel acts by persuasion, not force. So does the American system, and thus so must the needed reform.

by Rod D. Martin
March 30, 2005

Gentlemen,

First, I want to reiterate my great affection for you. I believe that one of the most tragic aspects of Reformedville is its incessant habit of demonizing everyone with whom anyone disagrees. God judges us by our obedience, and he judges us by our intent and our heart. Can anyone honestly doubt, having read Jesus' parables, that God prefers the man trying to do right who makes mistakes to the man who actually does right for the wrong reasons? I think we should follow that example.

Reformed folks tend to assume that everyone who disagrees with them is intentionally, willfully in error (concomitant to that, they always assume they themselves are without error, and that any error they might have is minor). Perhaps nowhere has this become more vitriolic than when Reformed people address politics (all the more ironic since so few of the ones talking know anything about it), refusing to extend even the slightest courtesy, and jumping to harshly judge …