Piecemeal reflections on TV Politics and Faith

"...the hope of the world." Mitt Romney uttered these words in reference to the good ol' USA at the Republican Convention recently. And the words rung hollow to me. Maybe it's because I hear in them a nationalistic messiah complex. Maybe it sound too arrogant. Maybe it's a throwback to Puritan theologies of America as the New Israel, the city on a hill. Maybe it's because as a Christian, I have to agree with Bill Hybels, who often says, "the local church is the hope of the world." Of course, the church is not merely a collection of kind people, but the very (broken) vessel of the God who's existence is the grounds for all hope. One of Rick Warren's interview questions for both Obama and McCain was this: "Does evil exist, and how shall we deal with it?" Obama has been criticized for not responding as forcefully as McCain - who almost shouted 'defeat it!', though he too landed on these words. The question drew to mind an oft mentioned anecdote from the life of G.K. Chesterton. About 100 years ago, a British paper invited many writers to answer the same question, What’s Wrong With the World? They extended the invitation to G. K. Chesterton who wrote back, Dear Sirs; I am. Sincerely, G.K. Chesterton Is there evil in the world? Yes.  How do I know?  I have felt it within me. Alexander Solzhenitsyn has wisely said that the battleline between good and evil is not between good nations and ill, but "runs through every human heart."