1 | Raymond V. Banner
May 14, 2008 at 8:24 pm

I have just read your last four posts of which this is number four, on the enthusiastic reception that Obama is getting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids, that has a long history of being a center of conservative Reformed Protestant religion and politics, as well as a
strong center for evangelical protestantism in general.

Yes, it is disheartening to see this adulation there for an extreme left wing politician whose views on abortion, homosexuality, and religion
and culture and politics in general are so opposed to what much of Grand Rapids has believed and lived. But the vanity of mankind and the powers some political spokepersons and orators have of bending
the twisted “spirit of the times” to their advantage is not a new thing in human history. Certainly we do much need a deep and genuine
revival of Biblical Christianity and basic moral renewal, even in Grand Rapids. But on balance, Hillary Clinton is no better on most of these issues. And I am still confident that not everybody in Grand Rapids is bending the knee to this new false prophet.

5 | Raymond V. Banner
May 15, 2008 at 10:25 am

To ONE MOM,

I agree that the liberals are winning, at least making major strides, even in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have never personally been in Grand Rapids. But I do have familiarity with the city due to my lifelong interest in Christian and Evangelical history; also due to a long time close friend who pastored a Baptist church in one of the suburbs there and still goes back to visit relatives in the city and reports to me.

A minority of religious and social conservatives in the United States have made since the 1970s a vigorous counter attack against the most blatant liberal and decadent advances in our society. We have created new organizations. Unfortunately, the liberal/leftist/humanistic mindset and practice is strongly entrenched in most of the leading institutions of our society—schools, media,
politics; even business and churches. And some younger evangelicals
are going over to the Democrats, adapting to broader acceptance of the dominant society. I have been in these battles since my youth and am now 70 years old. I agree that it looks very dire at times. I repeat from my post above that “Certainly we do much need a deep and genuine revival of Biblical Christianity and basic moral renewal, even in Grand Rapids.” I would add or emphasize that along with that there needs to be a renewed intellectual and social appreciation in our society for the Biblical Christian gospel and philosophy. Ultimately, the dedicated Christian, after making his/her stand in this world, looks forward in faith when Christ will be the eternal conqueror. But for now we are still pilgrims in this world with our
marching orders.

Thanks for giving me space here and hearing me out. On the most
essential things I think we are mostly in agreement.

7 | Elliot
May 16, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Wow…we live in a suburb of Grand Rapids, and I didn’t even know Obama was here yesterday night. I would have to say, however, that IMHO, the reason why you’re seeing a city like Grand Rapids (home to Zondervan, and commonly considered an “exclave” of the Bible Belt) welcome Obama so enthusiastically is (i) the city of Grand Rapids itself is relatively liberal (they have at least one Democratic representative) and (ii) too many Christians don’t really bother to be governed by the Bible as the standard for their living in EVERY area of their life, politics included.

Thanks for blogging; the pro-life issue is a big one for our family too, especially for my mom…