Does faith work? That is, does faith show itself. James definitively answered that question a long time ago, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:13). So yes, faith works. It shows itself. It declares itself. It does so out of gratitude for undeserved salvation.
I am all in on the President’s Supreme Court nomination, Amy Coney Barrett. By all accounts except the most strident liberal, she is well qualified. It is said that she is a Charismatic Catholic, an odd combination. I have problems with both. But if sincere, we will see her in heaven.
She has been swatting away the paranoias and phobias of Senate Democrats who seem to hyperventilate when in the presence of an espousing Christian faith. Secularists don’t like religious competition. Amy gives them the willies.
I understand judicial hearings are a “rope-a-dope” affair. Conservative candidates bob, weave, and skate the gotcha questions of the left.
During Barrett’s Senate Circuit Court hearing back in 2017, she was asked by a troubled Senator if her faith would interfere with her rulings, she responded, “If you’re asking whether I take my faith seriously and I’m a faithful Catholic — I am, although I would stress that my personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear in the discharge of my duties as a judge.” And similarly adding, “It’s never appropriate for a judge to impose that judge’s personal convictions, whether they derive from faith or anywhere else on the law.” She has said something similar this week.
I understand a judge is to base rulings on whether a law is constitutional or not, but I still would give her a failing grade. But she is not alone. That is the default position of most evangelicals. Faith is to stay in the heart (That’s where Jesus has been asked to live, remember?). And faith is to stay in the home (It’s a private matter). And faith is to stay in the church (Don’t bring Jesus outside those walls because of separation of church and state you zealot).
So, Judge Barrett’s faith has no bearing on her rulings? That’s what she seems to be communicating and that’s what the Senators want her to say. It is no different for most Christians today. There is little application of faith when it comes to living that faith in the town square. Faith in Jesus is a personal matter and God forbid we take him out of that lock box and engage culture.
Back to our sister on the hot seat. Here are a few questions I would love the snarky Democrats to ask her: “Does the Son of God have an opinion regarding abortion?” “What does the Savior say about gay marriage?” Does Jesus think it would be a good idea to have a bloated and all-powerful centralized government running everything given that man is depraved?”
I know it would be difficult to answer those questions with the senatorial sneers and cameras snapping. But it would be a beautiful thing if she gave this answer, “Yes Senator, my Christian faith informs everything I do, say, and think.” The snarls and hissy-fit of the questioner wouldn’t be bad to see, either.
It would be good for all to remember this isn’t a politician’s or judge’s world, it’s God’s—every square inch of it.
Pastor Rich Hamlin
October 15, 2020