Oh, and I saw that Tim Clark is a part of this conversation, so how could I resist joining in?

So here are more thoughts:
Yes, the issues are often muddled and the policies are nuanced. When God speaks on an issue (or a political activist speaks for God) the issue should be very clear.

I think we are saying the same thing about being involved in government without allowing big brother to take the place of the church.

Your comments on God’s gender remind me of a phrase I learned from a professor: “Little ships should stay close to the shore.” I’m reluctant to pilot my theological boat away from the safe harbor of orthodox Christianity. The answer to both of your questions is yes, and I agree with your point, that God is bigger than the categories by which we understand him. Human language is certainly incapable of fully describing God, however, he considered written revelation as a suitable means for making himself known. The Triune God is comfortable with the terms Father, Son and Spirit. These terms are more than boxes or preconceived notions.

Ok, I’ve got to get to work. Thanks for making me think.
Make it a great day.

Of course they are all too huge to try to answer appropriately in a blog comment…
but I’ll do my best to hint at my feelings on each.

Morality, God, Issues
Obviously certain issues in the political realm have moral undertones (or in many cases, overtones) and I would never suggest that God cares not. Where we often lose perspective though, is when we believe God is on one side or another of a particular policy.

Stewarding our Nation
I believe strongly that people of faith should be active in their nation’s government. They should fight for righteousness and justice. I hope I didn’t convey through this post that anyone should have a Qué Sera Sera attitude regarding political involvement.

What I’m expressing here is a frustration with relying on nation to do God’s work.

How many religious people will speak up and cast their votes based solely on abortion policy, yet never once reach out an actual hand to help expectant mothers in dire straits?

God’s Gender
Obviously the hypostatic union is a topic better addressed by a book than a blog post. I must say that I commend your commitment to consistency in orthodoxy. I believe it is foundational to Christian faith and one reason why I am comfortable using masculine pronouns when I write about God.

I do not however, believe that the Bible boxes the trinitarian creator God into a particular gender.

Is it possible Andrew, that throughout scripture God has revealed himself with gender in the same way that other anthropomorphic qualities are attributed?

And isn’t it true, that even though the majority of references to God use masculine names/pronouns (one other reason for my choice to do the same), there are several cases when overtly feminine qualities are applied?

Disclaimer:
I’m not an expert.
What I share on this blog are my thoughts, often right off the top of my head.
So anything I write or reply on Strong Odors could be totally wrong.
I write to stimulate thinking and challenge readers’ preconcieved notions about God, life, death, art, music, “good and bad,” and how they interpret things that “stink.”
I do not write to deliver answers… just hope you can seek them more thoroughly after reading some of my random thoughts.

Two more thoughts:
I agree, people should put their faith in God, not in government.
But, in a representative republic, don’t the citizens have an obligation to participate in the system? Isn’t it a stewardship issue? I don’t think politics is the means by which we will “bring in the kingdom”, but if gov’t is there to represent me, don’t I want to speak up when I have the chance?

Lastly, I believe Jesus is fully God and also fully man. I would die for this belief. Maybe you want to clarify your statement?

Make it a great day,
Andrew

(I don’t have a lot of time to craft this comment so I may want to clarify things later)

Good blog.