2010 California Election Forum

Reaching out to those in need is a Christian duty and delight

At the National Pastors Convention, I heard Shane Claiborne speak. I was already familiar with his book Irresistible Revolution. My wife had read it and was deeply moved. One of my kids was moved to reach out to the homeless because of it.

Click here to order from ChristianBook.com.

Shane speaks with passion that is infectious. In his talk, he makes a few key points.

We often cry out to God: “Why don’t you do something?” And God says “I did…so you do something.” God wants to change the world with us.

When the church of Jesus Christ acts boldly in love and compassion—without government, guilt or coercion—the result looks a lot like the early Church.

Some Christians have been very critical of Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.

And with a few exceptions, I have found myself defending Pastor Rick. Usually, it’s because there has been a misunderstanding, or it’s a case of Pastor Rick not being as clear as he could be.

Now there is a raging controversy over Pastor Rick’s recent appearance on Larry King Live.

Greatly troubling was that Pastor Rick seemed to downplay the following:

1. His support of Proposition 8
2. The importance of marriage for kids and society
3. His opposition to judicial activism (the latest case occurring in Iowa)

What do you think?

Frivolous lawsuit threatens a valuable youth organization

California’s Attorney General Jerry Brown went against the Boy Scouts in court—supposedly speaking on your behalf.

A pair of couples, one lesbian and another agnostic, challenged a lease the Scouts signed with the city of San Diego allowing them to operate recreational facilities on park land. The couples said the deal violated the Establishment Clause because of the Boy Scouts’ professed reverence of God.

In addition, they said they were opposed to using the facilities because of the Scouts’ stated policy of excluding homosexuals and atheists.

The district court agreed during pretrial motions—though there has been no concrete injury recorded by the plaintiffs—and the Scouts appealed. A 9th Circuit panel led by Judge Marsha Berzon granted standing to the plaintiffs, over the objections of Judge Andrew Kleinfeld. Senior Judge William Canby, Jr., tilted the decision against the Scouts.

Fix the deficit by spending nearly a million on furniture?

About 7 months ago, California State Controller John Chiang asked for $934,500 for new furniture for his plush office with a scenic view.

Now he is asking for an extra $924,500. What he did not ask was whether there was any surplus furniture he could use.

In 2007, he also took a 2.75% raise on his salary, currently reported as $169,743.

And yet this is the person who is supposed to tell us how to solve California’s $42 billion deficit.

Strengthening traditional marriage

At the Redondo Beach Election Forum, I asked Gwen Patrick--a black candidate for assembly in the Compton area--why black Evangelical Christians believe in traditional marriage, but vote for politicians who support same-sex marriage?

She said she hopes to help change all that.

I like what Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson said:

"The time is now for conservative black churches to join with white Christians in opposing this ruling. For far too long churches have sat on the sidelines while serious moral issues have been decided without their participation.

"This issue is about right and wrong. Changing the definition of traditional marriage to include homosexuals is wrong and Christians have a moral duty to speak out against it. Black ministers must encourage their congregations to support grassroots coalitions that seek to protect traditional marriage."

What do you think? How can we join in a coalition of beliefs to stand up for the Bible view of marriage? Email me at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your ideas.