The Gospel according to Ann
My friend Dave Russ sent along a link to Ann Coulter's latest column, saying it was "Ann Coulter at her smart-aleck best." Coulter takes Brit Hume's two or three sentences on Fox News about Tiger Woods, Christianity, and redemption as her starting point.
Hume's words, being 100 percent factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43.)
As she is wont to do, she runs with the topic, turning her column into a competent and clear explanation of the Good News. With a bit of cleanup, it could be tract-worthy. Here's her conclusion:
In a boiling rage, liberals constantly accuse Christians of being "judgmental." No, we're relieved.Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.
And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.
With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.
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I have a problem with Ann's column. I think that equating political parties or political systems of thought with the gospel of Jesus Christ is fundamentally flawed. There are many liberals who are much stronger Christians than Ann. And there are many conservatives who are strong athiests. It limits the gospel by putting it in a manmade box. The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends systems of political thought made by mere men.
The Theologian Francis Shaeffer said, "Christians may be at times, cobelligerents with the Left or the Right, but never allies. If there is social injustice, say there is social injustice. IF we need order, say we need order....But do not align yourself as though you are in either of these camps: You are an ally of neither. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is different from either-total different."
Nathan, I don't think Coulter equated the gospel with a political party or movement. She did, correctly I think, identify the political left as the main source of opposition in America to the public expression of the gospel. It's understandable why this should be: Leftism is all about dethroning God and putting the omnipotent State in His place.
Michael, if you really believe leftism (whatever that is) exists to dethrone God and replace Him with the state, then I've some oceanfront property in Oakhurst to sell you.
I find Coulter’s conception of the Gospel of Jesus breathtakingly simplistic, formulaic, and just dead wrong. Why am I not surprised? Coulter’s demeanor and lifestyle are among the least Christ-like of any public figure I know. She is verbally abusive, condescending and hateful, and she uses her sexuality to sell herself. If she is now Christ’s ambassador, His cause is likely to suffer a set-back.
Also, I’m not sure I agree with you or Nathan on the political role of a Christian. I do think we are called to ally with secularists on political issues; however, those alliances should be transitory and issue-specific. Sometimes we must ally on the Left and sometimes on the Right; sometimes we throw our lot with the ACLU and sometimes with the Federalist Society. We follow Christ’s agenda, not any particular party platform.