Feeling Bad About Feeling Good

In his World Magazine column this week Cal Thomas referenced a quote by Margaret Thatcher, one of the premier political figures of her generation. She said, "One of the great problems of our age is that we're governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas." Thomas was criticizing the Obama administration's handling of Iran specifically, and the spread of radical Islam in general. The mood in DC is not surprising; candidate Obama pledged to talk with Iran in hopes of reaching some compromise.

Some people cling to the idea that one can compromise with a regime that has sworn to anihilate anyone who opposes their radical brand of Islam. The idea seems to be that we can make them like us just enough to stop threatening to kill us all and destroy our culture. Whether from naivete or ignorance, these appeasers think that generating positive feelings among world powers will bring peace. Because they discount the influence of religion in their own lives, they are blinded to the elemental role it plays in Islamic politics.

The plaintive cry of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along," echoes through the halls of our society. It is evident in the current administration's policies toward Islamic regimes. The so-called political correctness movement seeks to remove any sort of critical appraisal from public discourse. The feel-good strategies endorsed by progressive educators have engendered the dumbing down of school curricula to the ridiculous point where some high school graduates are functionally illiterate. And yes, it has even infected our churches where immensely popular preachers like Rob Bell peddle a gospel without thorns, a feel-good (per)version of the good news that really is too good to be true. But it doesn't offend people, and that seems to be the prime directive in society today.

Margaret Thatcher's insight brings a biblical perspective to this issue. Jesus was highly incorrect politically speaking; his message did not seek the lowest common denominator, but challenged listeners to strive for perfection. His message was all about thoughts and ideas.  We can only accomplish those things which are asked of us when we follow Jesus' recommendation: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you," that is to say, when we concentrate on the correct thoughts and ideas.

The Christian faith is not blind adherence to incomprehensible principles; true biblical faith is founded on the Word, the thoughts and ideas presented by the teachings of Scripture and demonstrated by the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Credit must be given to the radical Islamic commitment to their holy scriptures. They are more than willing to die for their beliefs. Would that more Christians were willing to simply live for their beliefs. Pardon me if that makes you feel bad.