Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Something I posted to my Facebook account:

"I've been pondering: In what actual ways are we 'salt and light' in this world? Is the church only relevant to Christians and seekers?"

Response from Eric:

Great question. It seems my whole life's mission (especially in the entertainment industry) has been from that standpoint that if I am Christ-like, then I should be relevant in wisdom, character, conduct and creativity to non-believers everywhere I go. What is the point of being "salt" if I don't bring seasoning and healing to the world. What is the point of being "light" if I can't provide relevant revealtion or direction to the world. To merely exist in a "Chrisitian environment bubble" is what is killing the relevance and growth of the church.

My Response to Eric:

Very insightful comment! One of the key words in your statement is "relevant," meaning, "Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand." What one considers to be the "matter at hand" greatly impacts what we do. For one, that matter may be the choir. For another the "matter" may be dealing with the influence of gangs on our children. Certainly, we see that Jesus made himself relevant in many arenas. We know that the "Word of God is not bound" (2 Timothy 2:9). However it must be carried by us to those hearts and places where it is needed.

Eric Responds:

I agree! Several years ago, after reading Matthew 5:13-16, I was challenged by these thoughts, "What will be said about me by the non-church world? How have I impacted anyone in that arena? What would be said about my character? When was the last time a non-believer wanted to know more about the gospel based on their interactions with me?" I realized that I had little to no interaction with non-believers. I asked God to help me change that. I began getting involved with my daughter's high school, volunteering to help resolve an administrative problem, let to being part of the principal's council, which led to speaking at board meetings, which led to meeting with the superintendent and baord memebers and law enforcement and city council on a regular basis. Like Daniel or Joseph, God had given me the ability to articulate relevant answers to civic and education crisis issues. A Jewish parent asked me, "Where do you go to church and would you be available to speak at my synagouge?"

I truly believe that anyone can be a Daniel or Joseph or Esther, salt and light wherever they are. Or like you said earlier, Proverbs 22:1!!!

Marlon Responds:

Yes we can be the salt and Light of the world;but many of us are afraid of that call because it so difficult to go to the trenches so to speak and fight for souls. Yet God demands this of us.We can do this in Christ Jesus and it will call for total trust in Him.If we don't interact with people then perhaps they won't ever taste that flavorof the Lord nor see that light that is ingrafted in all of us who are called Christ!!

Do you have any thoughts?

On a recent news show, a health insurance company advocate insisted that "market principles" will provide the best healthcare solution for all Americans. I wondered how those market principles might best be applied during an era of greed.

I understand the free market principle of earning profits from risks taken in providing goods and services. However, when applying this principle to the healthcare "industry," I see a problem: Some entities, like insurance companies, want to make a lot of money from healthcare, but do not directly provide healthcare goods and services to people.

Yes, they incur a risk in collecting premiums in order to create/maintain a pool of money to pay claims. However, should this enterprise be a source of massive corporate and personal wealth?

Healthcare professionals, manufacturers of life-saving medical equipment, and pharmaceutical makers put more at risk in my view. I would like to see a system where the profit incentive is to provide quality healthcare to all, not simply maximize profits from the currently insured, while ignoring others. Our premiums, and public funds, should pay for wellness and healthcare, not become part of an investment portfolio.

I think this is part of the case for allowing our government to compete with private companies in providing healthcare insurance. Let's move the focus to providing healthcare for all Americans, rather than maintaining a profit center for insurance companies and continuing to ration healthcare by excluding the uninsured.

Just some thoughts....

The convergence of changing demographics in our nation and the seemingly xenophobic posture of conservatives have put the national GOP in a losing mode for years to come. All the pontificating about conservatism and wishing for the return of Ronald Reagan won't change this reality. Here's a short list of what will help:

Stop alienating minorities, who tend to view an insult to one as an insult to all. It is not racist to criticize someone's actions, but much of the unnecessary distain of famous minorities voiced by conservatives only puts others in the mind-set of, "We don't belong over there!"
Show a sincere interest in minorities, value the contributions of non-whites to America, and open your hearts to people who do not look, live or act as you do. I think conservative leaders such as the late Jack Kemp and George W. Bush earned respect among many minorities.
Christians should get out of bed with political conservatives. Biblical conservatism and political conservatism are not the same thing. Billy Graham and other Christians lived to regret aligning with political parties. We need to be a prophetic voice that speaks truth to power. On balance, it doesn't seem to me that Republicans live more biblically than Democrats. What Christians do best is love people and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who alone can transform lives and empower changes in behavior.
Move the GOP identity away from "flame throwers" like Peter King, Cheney, Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh and such. Embrace people such as Colin Powell as leaders in the Republican Party and don't let the conservative radicals run him off.

"Conservatism" is a ruined brand that needs to give way to something better. Abraham Lincoln, who is revered as the "greatest" Republican, proposed the Emancipation Proclamation, which was not a conservative concept.