Two individuals at the forefront of national politics are causing a remarkable storm across America. Both represent the fringe of American political culture. Comments on both:

In the November issue of Playboy magazine, Governor Jesse Ventura of Minnesota claimed that "organized religion is a sham and a crutch." He also argued that organized religion "tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business." As a result, the Reform Party's chairman demanded that Ventura resign because he does "not represent the values, principles or ethics upon which this party is built." Such comments by Ventura do not represent comments worthy of a national leader. They are an appalling reflection on one of the most critical aspects of the human condition. Humans are not only political, economic and social beings, they are spiritual beings. To deny this is to affirm the pernicious doctrine of postmodern thinking--that humans are autonomous beings. If Jesse Ventura comments accurately reflect his peroneal convictions, he does not deserve to be a national leader. He has alienated millions of people who believe that their religious convictions are at the center of their lives. It is embarrassing and sad that he is emerging as a national leader. He should resign from the Reform party and as governor of Minnesota.

Another individual who is flirting with the Reform Party is Patrick Buchanan. In his recent book, A Republic, Not an Empire, Buchanan analyses the history of American foreign policy and questions whether Hitler sought war with the West or was driven to it. He argues, "Hitler made no overt move to threaten US vital interests," after his initial victories across Europe in 1939 and 1940. His thesis continues that Hitler offered "no physical threat to the United States." For him, Hitler was only interested in building a German empire to the east, not the west toward the United States. Americans had no choice but to fight once Hitler declared war on the United States. It is "preposterous" to suggest Germany had any real power to threaten the US after Hitler's air force was defeated in the Battle of Britain. In a separate chapter criticizing the power of numerous American ethnic groups over foreign policy, he writes "After World War II, Jewish influence over foreign policy became almost an obsession with American leaders." How should we think about these controversial views?

1. Buchanan's enlightened nationalism would not only constrict American action today but also would have ruled out most of American diplomacy and military intervention in the 20th century. He takes a benign view of Hitler, while proposing that Soviet threats under Stalin were greater than Hitler. It reminds me of the phrase heard throughout Europe in 1939-1940--"better Hitler than Stalin." This is narrow-minded isolationism. His argument is that the war made "Europe safe for Stalinism and Asia safe for Maoism." That is preposterous; the war really saved the lives of millions of people who would have been victims of Nazi genocide and Japanese brutality, and it laid the basis for functioning democracies in Germany, Japan and Italy.
   
   
2. Buchanan's isolationism would want America back in its separatistic box. But if Washington had not taken on its role as the ultimate guarantor of peace and prosperity, the international system might have reverted to world war and economic depression. It was in America's national, even vital, interest to assume world leadership. That is one of the major lessons of the two world wars of this century.
   
   
3. Buchanan also seems to reject one of the major teachings of the Bible--government must promote justice and thwart evil (see Romans 13:1-7). To destroy the monstrous evil of Hitler was the righteous thing for the United States to do. Genocide is an evil that must be dealt with; it cannot be ignored in the dream world of isolationism. Buchanan's vision of foreign policy would have produced a world very different than today's. But it is a distorted view of what is the duty of established governments--to promote justice and thwart evil. That is why as a Christian I believe it was the righteous thing for America to do. We destroyed an evil that was a monstrous threat to justice and righteousness. Buchanan is wrong!!
   

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IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES--FRIENDS AGAIN?

All indications are that the desire of Iranian President Khatami that relations with the United States thaw are moving in that direction. There is more and more informal contact between Americans and Iranians. It is creating a groundwork for deeper contacts and relationships to develop. There are indications that there have been secret contacts between officials between both governments. What are the issues for the two nations to talk about?

• Terrorism--The administration believes Iran could help get to the bottom of the Khobar Towers case by expelling three Saudi Shiite suspects believed to be in Iran. Iran also gives backing to Lebanon's Hezbollah and two other groups trying to disrupt the Arab- Israeli peace process.
  
  
• Economic sanctions--Iran chafes are US restrictions on trade and US legislation that tries to dissuade other countries from investing in Iran's chief natural resource, oil. Iran wants sanctions relief as a prerequisite for cooperation.
  
  
• Afghanistan--Control of most of Afghanistan by the Taliban, a Sunni Muslim fundamentalist group once backed by the West against the Soviet Union, is a serious problem between the US and Iran. The Taliban faction harbors arch anti-US terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden and grows huge quantities of narcotics.
  
  
• Central Asia--Iran complains that the US tries to prevent Central Asian nations from exporting oil through Iran even though it is the shortest and least expensive route.
  
  
• Iraq--With more nations opposing US policy on Iraq, Iran is a supporter. Iraq must account for all its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and accept long-term arms monitoring. Both Iran and the US agree on this!

These are the main issues facing reconciliation of these two countries who have been hostile since 1979. But it does seem probable that there will be reconciliation. Both need each other. They have a common enemy--Iraq--and they cannot go on ignoring one another. The next President of the U.S. will no doubt make the key moves in this arena. It will be a delicate negotiation.

See Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY, 6 October 1999, p. 15A.

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A PRISON REVIVAL?

Throughout the prisons of the United States a major revival is occurring, led by Chuck Colson's organization, Prison Fellowship. It is also being spurred by dozens of smaller churches which are fostering spiritual revival among inmates by the thousands. With little or no money, tiny churches and hand-to-mouth nonprofit organizations serve in the prisons. These organizations teach Bible studies, provide religious counseling and visit high risk inmates confined to their cells. Their work is an extension of their faith, an outgrowth of their commitment.

These ministries bear the greatest evidence for genuine, biblical Christianity--the changed life! These changed lives transcend racial divisions and prison taboos. What God is doing behind prison walls is not being accomplished in such proportions in any other setting. Chuck Colson has a famous saying that hits at the heart of prison ministry-- "People often tell me that 'It's wonderful that you're going into the prison to share the gospel.' They don't get it, do they? This is where you find it."

The only thing that can explain what is happening in the nation's prisons, and indeed in the world's prisons, is supernatural. Only God can change the hearts of hardened criminals. God is doing the seemingly impossible--altering the eternal destiny of men and women who have no hope. That is the good news!!

 

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