I have been intrigued by Shane Claiborne ever since I read The Irresistible Revolution a couple years back. The book engrossed me while I should have been studying for exams I couldn't help finish it within a couple days. While in Canada the polarization between political parties is less than in the states and the religious connections between a particular party is less obvious. However, in recent weeks I heard the pastor at my former church made the comment he would be content with reading an editorial from the National Post as a sermon. The problem is not that I disagree with the pastor position, because in conversion with those who disagree with us we develop a greater understanding of complex problems in our society. The problem is when we as Christians aligning ourselves completely with the rest of society we cease to be a Peculiar People as Rodney Clapp asserts. Claiborne's reading of Jesus, which I believes he rightly reads, as one who always resisted all groups and all preconceived notions of what the Messiah will do on earth.
None of the political parties can replace the Church and in spite of the hope that Obama can inspire in people his idea that America can once again be the hope of people and the world. Christians must continually resist this idea no matter how attractive it may appear. If a nation is the hope of the world this is completely at odds with the Christian believe in the resurrection or maybe we need a more robust understanding of hope. Clairborne passionately believes that Christians need to be more imaginative and being involved in living the Kingdom of God on earth.
Jesus for President is a good starting point for all Christians what it means to be socially involved in the world. Many may be turned off by 'too radical' of his ideas and examples he gives in the book. I would agree with this point to an extend, but that is not the point of Claiborne's push. It is to rethink what our actions and believe tell the world. For example I don't think we can all start making our own clothes and to an extent that would require us to leave our jobs, but he is calling us to rethink our vocation as Christians and how that effects all aspects of our life. To simply follow the status quo is what Claiborne is question and all Christians should do the same.
