http://www.courier-journal.com/cjextra/editorials/2004/10/31/oped-chatham1030-5046.html

'This is not Christianity!'
By Jim Chatham
Special to The Courier-Journal

As Ron Suskind reported last Sunday in "Driven by Faith," President Bush
apparently believes that he possesses a special communication pipeline with
the Almighty.

Thousands of his supporters certainly believe it, and the Bush campaign has
shown no wish to discourage their belief. Along this pipeline between God
and the President flows much advice: advice on who is evil and who is good,
on what is right and what is wrong, on what actions to take with the
enormous military and economic power the President holds. Once the advice
is communicated ? through prayer, through meditation, through "instinct, "
through whatever channel ? nothing else competes. Contrary facts, stark
realities, the world in which street-level human beings must live: These
have little say. The one of "true faith" will steadfastly and staunchly do
as God has directed. Only those of lesser devotion will have doubt or
hesitation.

This is not Christianity! Christian faith acts with humility and
self-criticism, not with arrogance and self-proclamation. It not only seeks
right, but maintains a healthy awareness that it may be wrong. It does not
stigmatize opponents as evil and satanic, but knows that God can speak and
work through even debased humanity (who else was the Samaritan?). "Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." This is the spirit
Christ taught his disciples.

Christian faith in our time is being badly misrepresented and distorted by
religious fanatics who believe that their way is God's only true way.
(Muslim faith is suffering the same problem.) Christianity does not stand
for spiritually based self-certainty, for castigation of those who
disagree, for ugly divisiveness, for the killing of thousands of people
with no regret. It stands for "doing justice, loving kindness, and walking
humbly with your God," an admonition the prophet Micah delivered to those
in the power.

National leaders throughout history have sought God's validation for their
policies. One of the great roles of the biblical prophets, however, was to
tell the king that his ideas were not equal to the will of God, that he had
no divine pipeline. Elijah spoke such hard words against King Ahab that he
had to flee for his life. Amos prophesied so strongly against King Jeroboam
II that he was ordered to leave the land. Jeremiah was imprisoned for
speaking against King Zedekiah. A major purpose of Judeo/Christian faith
has been to keep a skeptical and critical eye on the nation's leader. The
separation of church and state in our country was based entirely in this
tradition.

Christianity remains faithful to its roots only as long as it rigorously
maintains this tradition. Christians are here to question government
policy, to hold it to account, not to baptize it. To believe that our
President has been sent by God to lead us in this moment, and that God
communicates with him authoritatively on how to govern is about as
un-Christian as anything could be.

I look for a president who will lead and defend this beloved nation strongly
with a determined spirit, but who will also temper his leadership with a
humble heart, never pretending to anyone that he receives direct
instructions from God.

Jim Chatham is pastor emeritus of Highland Presbyterian Church in
Louisville.

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