October 19, 2004
Volume 2: Issue 10
|
with Brent Crowe
|
|
Lock the
doors, close the blinds, and bring the pets inside, it's election time.
I don’t think there is a more appropriate time to openly discuss
leadership than when we choose who will be our Commander and Chief of
this great country. But how should followers of Jesus approach
government as a whole? There are primarily two Christian approaches to
the “Church and State” issue. First, preach the gospel only and do not
engage or become involved in the political process under the banner of
belief that the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of those who hold
political positions of influence. Second, as Christians get involved in
the political process and try to influence government with Biblical
moral standards, it is vital to remember that our hearts are to be
driven by the fulfillment of the Great Commission and this is to take
precedence in life.
The first option treats government like the plague or some kind of
disease that one must distance oneself from in order to live a pure and
blameless life before the Lord. The second option is a bit more
proactive and believes that to be salt and light as Jesus commanded, we
are to engage this dark, dirty and dangerous world we live in so that we
may influence it with Gods truth. If you have been around SLU for more
than a nano-second then you can probably assume which option is
supported. SLU does not believe that it is our policy to cower inside
the church house with the lower lip quivering under the assumption that
God will take care of those out there in that dark, dirty and dangerous
world. Rather we are to influence society with the light of the gospel
both in word and deed.
Vote
for the unborn
Maintaining a biblical worldview means that we do not allow our
conscience to be deceived by slick phraseology that paints a warm,
inviting and humanitarian view of abortion. At the end of the day after
careful articulation of the pro-choice stance when an abortion has been
performed a life has been killed. Christians are to vote for the
candidate who fights through legislation to protect those who can’t
protect themselves.
While rhetoric has served to camouflage the carnage of abortion, it
remains the painful killing of an innocent human being.
-Hank Hanegraaff, The Bible Answer Man
For you formed my
inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and
that my soul knows very well my frame was not hidden from You, when I
was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the
earth. Your eyes say my substance, being yet unformed. And in your
book they were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there
were none of them.”
-Psalm 139:13-16, NKJ
Vote for the family
In recent decades the family has been
attacked from all angles. Both men and women are abandoning post at
alarming rates in search of happiness and a life free of
responsibility. Part of the attack on the family is to redefine exactly
what is the essential makeup of a family. Research tells that the
breakdown of the nuclear family contributes to the breakdown not only on
a moral level but an economic level as well. Webster now defines
‘family’ as a group of individuals living under one roof and usually
under one head. A Biblical worldview causes one to vote for a
candidate who sees the marriage of one man to one woman as a hill on
which to die.
“Marriage is to be held in honor among
all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and
adulterers God will judge."
-Hebrews 13:4, NAS
Vote for the lost
The sins of our culture that seem to
permeate our land like a flesh eating virus are all leading to one
destructive end… the day when men have forgotten God.
In his Templeton Prize address Alexander
Solzhenitsyn said: “Over half a century ago, while I was still a child,
I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following
explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have
forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’ Since then I have
spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in
the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of
personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my
own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by the upheaval.
But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main
cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our
people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: ‘Men have
forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’”
One of the great lessons of 301 is that
if we forget where we came from we will inevitably forget where we are
going. As believers, we must vote for the candidate who will contribute
through their policies toward the accomplishment of the Great Commission
and we must not check our biblical worldview and eternal perspective at
the front door as we enter the voting booth.
|
|
with
Luke Lin
|
The
debates are over, the countdown to the elections is on, and the
candidates are making their final few stops. By now, many Americans have
already finalized their selection for president and have judiciously
weighed out the other domestic and litigious issues that face the voters
in their district, county, state, and country, as pointed out in our
articles this month. In just two weeks, many Americans will cast their
votes, and the democratic process will once again have been served.
Cherish
democracy. Cherish the fact that there are others who believe
differently than you do, and the fact that we all have the right to
express our views in this country without fear of punishment or of being
ostracized. We live in a land of differing ideas, opinions, beliefs,
ways of worship, lifestyles, and values. The democracy we participate in
originates from our Creator, who also gives us choice. Embrace choice
and the freedom of not being forced to choose the same things as
everyone else, for that freedom of choice frames the very picture of
democracy and enables us to think about matters of politics, life, and
faith deeply as we all seek to live and work together. Cherish democracy
deeply - and enact your appreciation of it by making an informed and
calculated vote, and encourage others to do so as well.
|
featuring Daniel Casio
|
As a teenager, I
felt the calling on my life to do something great for Christ
in my country of Mexico. Not wanting to wait, I decided to
try and put on a three-day event in an attempt to reach as
many students as possible with outreach and the
Gospel. Having been born and raised in Mexico, I knew all to
well the great need there was in my country for Christ and I
wanted to be a part of reaching that need. With the
greatness of God, we were able to have over 400 students
attend this event and become exposed to the Gospel.
Like many, after
graduation from high school, I faced the decision of going
into full-time ministry or being used by God in the secular
arena. Over the next few months and with much prayer and
some of the opportunities the Lord brought my way, I felt as
thought the Lord was definitely calling me to serve the
people in Mexico in a secular arena so I enrolled in college
and began studying political science. It was during this
time that I attended Student Leadership University.
During my first
year at 101, right inside the shark tank, I learned two
invaluable truths; beware of who you hang out with, watching
not to be hanging around bloody, lonely sharks who only know
how to kill but to instead surround yourself with dolphins
that help and care for each other and second, that
imagineering is a process where your dreams determine what
you will do today. The next year at 201, I was deeply
impacted by seeing first-hand how important it is to found a
country on Christian principles but it was during 301 that I
understood the importance to look after your foundation
before it is all too easily forgotten. As we stood in
Westminster Abbey looking at all the tombs of glorious
servants of the Kingdom, it burdened my heart to know that
each week a Christian church is closed in the United
Kingdom. While all this was forever changing, I learned yet
another new perspective on leadership at 401. At school and
in life, I learned that leadership is measured with the
amount of success you achieve in your endeavors but now,
through my training at SLU, I understand that leadership is
an honorable position given to us by grace and with the
highest amount of responsibility that you could ever
imagine. It is not measured by achievements or the fabulous
goals you reach because all men’s glory shall pass away, and
only what has been done for God will last.
Daniel Casio is an SLU graduate from Mexico who has just
finished his degree in Political Science, earning an award
for the best Social Science Faculty Research for his
program. He is currently continuing his education and plans
to take an active leadership role in Mexico. |
|
Registration is
fully underway for our 2005 Season! Be sure to secure your
spot by
registering online for what will be an incredible summer
of leadership, learning, and fun. All of our
dates for next summer are available online, designed to
give you maximum flexibility in planning your summer.
If you are
eligible to attend SLU 301 or 401, please note that spaces
are extremely limited this year. If you register early, you
could save on costs that are anticipated for later
registrations. These life-changing trips are worth
prioritizing!
Don't forget that
most SLU information is available online through our website at
www.studentleadership.net. We want to
continue hearing from you! Let us know how your first weeks
back in school are going, or how you've been putting
leadership into practice. It is always a blessing to hear from
you. Our toll-free number is 1-888-260-2900.
|
 |
|
In light of the
upcoming elections, here's your
online voting ballot. Just try voting for the other guy!
*Please note: Student Leadership University is not responsible
for content or links of third-party websites.
Have a weird,
funny, crazy, or wacky link?
E-mail it to us!
To view past
editions of The Edge, check out our archive
here.
Questions or comments are always welcome. E-mail us at
edge@studentleadership.net
|
|
 |
|
October 2004
|
|
On the
Edge
This month Brent
Crowe, Dean of Students for SLU, underscores the
importance of taking an active role in this year's
election process. If you are able to vote, Vote! |
Edge Ledge
Your section
for culture and Christianity takes a look at
democracy and choice, as well as the role it plays
in how we enact our faith. |
Life on the Edge
SLU greatly affected
the life of one of our international students who
has developed a global vision and purpose
and has learned the importance of genuine leadership. Have an SLU story? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net
This month, we feature Daniel Casio. |
Cutting Edge
What's up at SLU? Get the latest scoop on
what's happening here at Student Leadership University. |
Featured Articles
Check out the featured
articles of the month, including articles about the
Presidential debates, the issues facing
voters, and the importance of youth voters. By being
informed of these critical events, we can begin to shape
an effective response to culture. Stay informed by reading
this month's featured articles. |
Over the Edge
In this section of The
Edge, we feature a crazy, funny, usual, or just plain
wacky link for your viewing pleasure. Check out this
month's wacky link! |
|
 |
|
Follow the links for the
full article. |
Bush - Kerry
Debate
Senator John Kerry has argued that President Bush had made
a "colossal error of judgment'' in invading Iraq, while
Mr. Bush has belittled Mr. Kerry as a weak leader who
would embolden the United States' foes....
Read full article |
The Youth
Vote
A heated discussion took place recently at a teen
center. What was the topic?Who's going to win the
Superbowl or which rock band was the best? No, the group
was in deep discussion about the upcoming presidential
election. And anecdotal evidence suggests this kind of
discussion is going on all over the country....
Read full article |
2 Candidates,
2 Views
To hear President Bush and John Kerry argue bitterly
in the past two days about the American mission in Iraq
is to wonder if they are talking about the same war, or
even the same country...
Read full article |
Students and
Politics
In the states, there's an election coming up on
Tuesday, November 2. And let me urge you, if you live in
those states, to make a point to vote -- and to bring
your kids to the polls with you. You'll be filling a big
gap in their education. A new report found that young
people ages 15 to 26 "don't understand the ideals of
citizenship; they are disengaged from the political
process; they lack the knowledge necessary for effective
self-government; and they have limited appreciation of
American democracy."...
Read full article |
Compare the
Candidates
In most elections in which the incumbent enjoys an economy
with a healthy 3% annual growth rate, home ownership at
record levels, and inflation and interest rates that are
well within control, the economy's performance wouldn't
be a problem. But despite the positive indicators,
George Bush continues to be under attack, with
economists decrying everything from his tax cuts to the
gaping budget deficit. Who has the better plan for
America?...
Read full article |
 |
|
"Bad
officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote."
George Jean Nathan
American journalist and critic, 1882-1958
|
"The
idea of an election is much more interesting to me than the
election itself...The act of voting is in itself the defining
moment."
Jeff Melvoin
American writer and producer,
In the Line of Fire |
"A citizen of
America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't
cross the street to vote in a national election."
Bill
Vaughn
American industry author and
subject-matter
expert |
"Vote early and vote often."
Al Capone
Famous American gangster, 1920s-30s |
"A
vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character
of the user."
Former President
Theodore Roosevelt |
|
 |
|
We want to hear from you! Do you
have a thoughtful response to the articles here? Have you
written a paper on one of the issues we're discussing this month
or have discussed? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net |
 |
|
Established in 1994, Student Leadership University's
purpose is to empower students to conquer the future!
Combining hands-on experimental learning with a dynamic
classroom setting, students are equipped to influence
their generation for Christ with confidence.
For more information, visit us at
www.studentleadership.net or call us toll-free at
888-260-2900.
Edge Executive Editor:
Chris Crowe
Edge Associate Editor:
Luke Lin
|
|
|
