On Monday I was given a second tour of the Billy Graham Library. I had the pleasure of being at the dedication ceremony a couple of years ago with former presidents Carter, Clinton and Bush 41.
After the tour, I was interviewed by a writer for Decision magazine. He asked me about a Christian's responsibility to government. Among other things, I said that we have to begin with the reason God created the state. It was to restrain sinful men and women who would not be constrained from within by the presence and power of God in their lives.
When the state leaves its God-ordained and constitutional boundaries, it becomes dysfunctional. The same holds true for humans who leave the will of God for their lives. Chaos and harm are the result.
This is what is happening today in America. We have forgotten God, instead worshipping material things. And that is why government has become so costly and dysfunctional, whichever party is running it. In Romans 8, Paul says God has built futility into his creation in hopes that the creation will turn to him.
Think about that as you watch these political conventions and listen to their promises and attacks.
In Charlotte, I'm Cal Thomas.
Publication date: September 5, 2012
