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No Surprise Here: Liberals Hate on Hume
It was bound to happen. Ben posted a link to Brit Hume’s original comments on Fox News Sunday that Tiger Woods should convert to Christianity. Here is a follow up interview with Bill O’Reilly:
And links to hysterical reaction:
- Tom Shales thinks Hume should apologize. For what? Shales writes, “It sounded a little like one of those Verizon vs. AT&T commercials — our brand is better than your brand — except that Hume was comparing two of the world’s great religions, not a couple of greedy communications conglomerates. Further, is it really his job to run around trying to drum up new business? He doesn’t really have the authority, does he, unless one believes that every Christian by mandate must proselytize?” Must never have heard of the Great Commission so we’ll let this one slide.
- Jon Stewart assembled the “best f**** theological team on the planet” to discuss whether this was an appropriate thing to say. Needless to say he merely mocked Christianity in every way he could think of. (Video is profanity laced. Do not click it if you cannot take it.)
- Andrew Sullivan from the Atlantic was incensed. “Once you have abolished the distinction between secular and religious discourse, as they routinely insist on doing, their politics is their religion and their religion is their politics. And both are corrupted.” Oooh, the old separation of church and state routine. Not very original, Mr. Sullivan.
- Steve Benen from the Washington Monthly was “taken aback” when he saw it. He completely misses the point writing, “How many high-profile Christians have had damaging sex scandals of late? Why is Buddhism deemed inadequate for those with family problems?” Hume was talking about the redemption offered by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as atonement for sin. No one suggested Christians never fall into sin.
Is there any surprise here? Not really. I have no doubt Hume knew the instant he said it, and probably before, what kind of reaction would be forthcoming. It leads one to wonder why. Why do they rage about this? Their rage is disproportionate to the offense. Hume gave his opinion on a news opinion show. Is there so little room in our culture for public expression of faith?
Of course, I know the theological answer. I understand that sinful people are repulsed by the holiness of God, even as he reaches out to them. I understand that they dislike Christ’s claim to exclusivity as “the way, the truth, and the life.” The lies they tell are merely to discredit because they have no idea what is the incredible gift of peace with God.
How can we respond to such opposition? This is sticky sometimes. We in America, where we have freedom to speak, are so indoctrinated with the idea of our rights that we are quickly tricked into defending ourselves. I wrestle with this a lot. It is so much easier to argue and try to shout over those that would oppose the Lord.
Two Scriptures come to mind. First, the example of Christ submissive before Pilate. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and did not defend himself. He knew vindication was coming in three days. Second, Peter instructed his readers to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12). Does Christlikeness require absolute silence in such opposition? No. Peter later encourages his readers to always have an answer ready when asked about their faith (1 Peter 3:15-27). But he also tells them to keep a clean conscience.
Situations like this call for standing up and applauding Brit Hume’s courage and conviction. May the Lord use Hume’s brief plea to Tiger Woods to call many to the Kingdom. But we also must remember opposition is real and it is not of this world. Keep fighting the good fight. Keep the faith.
Of course leftists will say I’m being mean, yadda yadda yadda… sort of like how they responded to Hume… but here’s the fact, Jack.
Look throughout the culture and this is the typical response to Christian proclamation from Leftists. Whether it be the SBC having the audacity in the late 90s to say that Jews need to be evangelized to Franklin Graham praying in Jesus’ name at Bush’s inauguration, to churches having to silence their bells (while Muslims near Detriot get the courts to uphold their right to blare their calls to prayer from loudspeakers in an area approx 66% non-Muslim), to this, Leftists are God-haters.
Idiots like Bill Maher make movies like Religiousity in which he mocks religious belief – particularly Christian belief – and he’s lauded.
Thinking individuals like Ben Stein produce movies like Expelled, which offers an intriguing look into the tyranny of a particular system of thought in our education system, and he is ridiculed and mocked.
Here’s the question upon which Evangelicals should reflect: If a group can so consistently be shown to in every way, by the views they take and the words they say, be directly opposed to God, how can we *uncritically* accept ANY of that group’s presuppositions and values and positions? Our ability to love our fellow man is a direct overflow of our relationship with God. So if this group in every possible way spits on the notion of God, should that not cause us to stop and wonder – and examine more closely – any rhetoric (because that is all it is) that they put forth purporting to want to do something in the name of compassion or mercy?
Ben Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Correction: I made a mistake. Bill Maher’s movie is not titled “Religiousity” it is entitled “Religulous.”
Until Christ’s return, Satan has full reign over this planet (2 Cor. 4: 3 – 4). And we are all born in sin and shaped in iniquity (Ps. 51:5). With this knowledge, why would it surprise anyone that God is not accepted by everyone as their Lord and Savior?
As far as politics are concerned, there is no party in which EVERY member is on the same page when it comes to the issue of faith. I’m sure there were hundreds of thousands of conservatives that watched that reel and thought “who the heck does Brit Hume think he is?” Since the Garden of Eden Satan has been hard at work the worlds’ eyes away from God. Just look at this place… it’s a mess! But God knew what he was doing when he gave humanity the gift of free will. He knew that not everyone was going to accept Him, to love Him as He loves us.
So, how do we as Christians respond? Indeed, do stand and applaud Brit’s courage and conviction. Like you said “I have no doubt Hume knew the instant he said it, and probably before, what kind of reaction would be forthcoming.” Yet he said it anyways! Bravo. That is one thing we can agree on (even though forgiveness is landmark in the Buddhist faith). We do our part in the world to share the love of God and build His kingdom here on Earth. And we pray for the unsaved. Pray that God un-hardens their hearts and shines into their lives, so that they too can know the joy of salvation.
Oh, we also stop trying to drive a wedge between conservative Christians, and liberal Christians. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. (*cough-ben-cough*)