Introduction
Yes, our differences, political or otherwise, don't have to divide us. They often do.
This article begins a three-part series that focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. Early voting has already begun. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman voted early last Saturday. I plan, Lord willing, to vote on election day.
This three-part series, with articles published a day apart, will be the twenty-second through twenty-forth entries in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section. This is the twenty-second entry in that section.
After defining key terms, this part one focuses on the ground view and then the aerial view of the political worldviews in conflict. The forthcoming part two will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. The final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.
Political divisions are one aspect of opposing worldviews in conflict that divide this so-called United States. A nation divided cannot stand. To be truly united, this nation and every nation need to unite under the biblical worldview.
Key Definitions
Reviewing the previous twenty-one entries in this topic section, from 6/7/2022 to 5/29/2024, I realized that I have not yet defined worldview. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: worldview defines worldview as “a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world, especially from a specific standpoint.” I understand “world,” in the definition, to mean human society.
By analogies, a worldview is a frame of mind through which a person views the world. It is a lens that sees, focuses on, and contextualizes human thought and events. Ultimately, our worldview is a compass that guides our values, thoughts, and actions, either in the wrong or right direction. Everyone has a worldview, even if it is not realized or articulated.
Further, Merriam-Webster Dictionary: biblical states that biblical is “of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible.” The Bible is the divinely and exclusively inspired and authoritative scriptures, consisting of 39 Old Testament manuscripts and 27 New Testament writings. The correct hermeneutical understanding, interpretation, acceptance, and application of the Bible is to be biblical.
Thus, having a biblical worldview is when a person follows the Bible properly and guides his or her values, thoughts, decisions, and conduct accordingly. Such a person is not sinless and will make mistakes. He or she, however, will check the compass to stay on or return to the biblical path.
Ground View of the Conflict
Viewed from the ground, military battles are chaotic, bloody, and violent, to say the least. The daily media onslaught about the 2024 presidential election cycle is similar to a battlefield. It is frequently aggravating, childish, and frustrating. The constant barrage of coverage is similar to salvos of cannon fire on a battlefield.
My father, if he were still alive, would be proud of Mrs. Appalachian Irishman! Dad enjoyed watching the 24-7 news channels. Eventually, he preferred to watch C-SPAN. He liked the ground view. My wife seems to enjoy the same view of the current election cycle. Political events, conflicts, statements, reactions, and opinions intrigue her.
Not me. It sounds like a bunch of chickens crowing and cackling in a chicken coop. I keep up with important and relevant facts. Otherwise, I focus on the aerial view of the political conflict. This current presidential election cycle started too soon. I will not end soon enough.
Aerial View of the Conflict
Aerial surveillance of a ground battle provides an overview of the fighting below. It gives perspective. Similarly, a person's worldview sees the overarching and conflicting worldviews that are guiding each party and candidate. A person's worldview determines how he or she votes. The party and candidates that align more closely with a voter's worldview get his or her vote.
From an aerial view, neither the Democrat nor the Republican Party is completely aligned with the biblical worldview. Which party is more in step with the biblical worldview? How is one party more oriented to that worldview than the other? The next two upcoming articles will answer those questions.
Conclusion
Political differences don't have to divide us. If every party, candidate, and voter followed the biblical worldview, then minor differences about political minutia could be easily resolved.
Divisions, whether political or otherwise, are discouraging. The pericope in the Gospel of Mark 3:20-35 describes Jesus' response to the irrational conclusion that teachers of the law drew from his miracles. A part of Jesus' reply is in verses 24-25 (NIV):
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
On June 16, 1858, then senator-elect Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, spoke at the close of the Illinois Republican State convention in Springfield, Illinois. Having been named the Republican candidate for US Senator, Mr. Lincoln addressed the divisive problem of slavery. In that context, paraphrasing Jesus' words, he stated, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” [Source: Abraham Lincoln, “A House Divided'' Speech at Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858: “Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].” Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections.]
Thankfully, this nation, once divided by the evils of slavery, united against that immorality, having endured unspeakable conflict. What now divides the so-named United States of America? What is the root cause of these divisions?
The root cause is opposing worldviews. Published tomorrow, part two of this series will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. On Halloween, the final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment