Saturday, January 19, 2008

Defending Huckabee pt. 2

Who would have thought there would need to be another defense of the former Governor? But, alas, there needs to be. This time the objection (though much more charitably offered) is from Biola professor Mark Reynolds - here. Fortunately, Dr. Reynolds allows that he may have misunderstood Huckabee's contention and I would argue that he does misunderstand it. Having followed Huckabee for the past 12 months (since he was on the Daily Show talking about his new book) I have read and heard lots about his position on this particular issue. Moreover, I have actually read his book - From Hope to Higher Ground (great book by the way) - and understand what he says about politics. I have also had personal communication with him and can attest to the fact that he holds the separation of church and state as very important and knows that he cannot force his beliefs on an unbelieving nation.

Dr. Reynolds fears that Huckabee is trying to impose "biblical law" on the nation through his message but this isn't really what Huckabee intends. Huckabee stated that he wants to bring the Constitution "into line with God's standards", not that he wants to replace the Constitution with the Bible. I think this is a perfectly reasonable thing for a politician, who happens to be a devoted follower of Christ, to say. The specific moral laws in the Bible may be "specific revelation" that is intended for Christians but the overarching morality of the Bible (love your neighbor as yourself, turn the other cheek, do justice, walk humbly, love mercy) is clearly meant for Christians to bring to the world. It doesn't mean imposing our beliefs on people - especially through government - but it does mean working to make the world a better place. A world where all people are following biblical morality will indeed be a better place. The only things that Huckabee has ever brought up in regards to the Constitution are a right to life amendment and a definition of marriage amendment. He has never advocated changing anything currently written in the Constitution because it violates God's law (his fairtax proposal would abolish the 14th amendment but this is not under the auspices of bringing the Constitution into line with God's moral standards).

I do think he has been pressed lately about his faith and it is getting very hard for him to maintain a viable political campaign and still feel that he is not compromising his beliefs. I think it would be hard for any Christian who loves our Lord as much as Huckabee does to figure out how this love show be tempered in the legislative arena (as far as presidential legislative power - both direct and indirect - goes). Though you may not agree with him, Huckabee is certainly our brother in Christ and deserves our prayers through the stress and strain of a political campaign. Even if you don't think he is the best candidate he sure is giving the nation a look at a charismatic (in a good way), personable, down-to-earth, environmentally committed, social justice oriented man of God. Politics would be far better off if there were a few more Huckabee's in office.

6 comments:

Beal said...

You know Huckabee let a rapist (heavily pressured the parole board) go who then proceeded to rape and kill two more women right?

He's nothing more than a professional politician.

Jake Charles said...

You know that there is no official record of that whatsoever...only the word of parole board members who Huckabee decided not to re-appoint for the board right? Seems odd that they said nothing until he didn't re-appoint them, but hey it's probably just a coincidence. Oh and it's not like they had anything to gain by passing the blame of letting a rapist go on to someone else...wait...

Beal said...

There is a lot of record about it...PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE! You are committing a genetic fallacy here (i.e. "They didn't get reappointed, so they are worng...") It doesn't matter. There is a ton of evidence stacked up on Huck on this one. Even women who the guy raped wrote letters and testified to Huckabee not to let the guy go.

But he did.

Just another politician.

Jake Charles said...

1. It's not the genetic fallacy when it is a person's opinion in question that matters, of course whether or not they are credible is relevant (aka the source matters so its not a fallacy).
2. Ultimately, no matter what he did (or didn't do) to persuade them it was still their call - if they didn't want DuMond out there is nothing that Huckabee could have done (especially given the FACT that he previously REFUSED to pardon DuMond).
3. Even if he is at fault, your last comment shouldn't be "just another politician" but "just another human". It seems odd for someone who knows the Bible so well (and knows the depth of TULIPs first letter) to forget that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And moreover, since we are so depraved, we should pray for and bless rather than judge and criticize. But at this point I think you are just arguing for arguing's sake so I will make sure not to hold it against your character.

Beal said...

Dude,

I just don't like Huck. Not arguing for arguing sake. There are many reasons. He even used to work w/Copeland!!

Jake Charles said...

Alright that's cool, you're definitely entitled to your opinion. Just wish you didn't engage in all the polemics like all the other guys - maybe it's just wishful thinking.