The Presidential Contenders at the First Debate
As if to prove my point in the previous posting, a couple of polls taken after the first presidential debate on Friday night gave Obama the “victory.” That, by itself, is not the story. Although when I watched the debate, my opinion was the opposite of those polls, I was judging success by the following factors:
- Which candidate was closer to Biblical principles in his answers?
- Which candidate was more honest in his answers in comparison to what he has said in the past?
- Which candidate handled himself more appropriately (not interrupting, not getting peeved over the other’s answers, etc.)
But those were my criteria for judging success. In the polls mentioned above, the reason more viewers gave the debate to Obama is summarized in this way: “I felt he was more attuned to my needs.”
This need-oriented outlook, based on selfishness, not on the ultimate good of the nation or proper principles, carried the day, it seems.
While I am not surprised, I am disappointed. In particular, I wonder how many of those who responded in that way consider themselves Christians. As a nation, I fear we are on the edge of the abyss . . . and the fall will be long and devastating.
I keep returning to one of my favorite scriptural passages, a favorite because it explains what must be our priority:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Rom. 12:2)