by Bret Capranica | Aug 29, 2009 | Featured Articles, Politics
Obvious lessons can be learned from Senator Kennedy’s funeral; the description of the gospel is one of the most interesting. In my years of scattered interest in politics, Christianity and the gospel are not words that came to mind first and foremost when hearing Ted Kennedy’s name. His Irish Catholic heritage was obviously deep in his family and for him personally. Much has been made of Senator Kennedy’s recent confessional letter to the Pope. His Catholicism is concerning enough, but is not what I found most intriguing (though it is interesting to see how many call his Catholicism ‘faithful’ when he opposed so much of it publicly). I won’t comment on the funeral mass – that’s another issue. Instead, I found it fascinating to listen to the more liberal commentators stretch themselves to talk about how “Christian” Senator Kennedy was. Social work alone was the heart of Jesus’ message. Matthew 25 and its description of what was done for “the least of these” is the single defining mark of Christianity. The gospel is “working for the little guy.” Personal immorality is inconsequential when working for social justice. A denial of the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus as the only way to the Father. Denial of genuine discipleship and loyalty to Christ as presented in the whole of the Bible. Very little was said of Jesus Christ outside of social justice terms. A division between the social ethic of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament. Only certain social issues are worth mentioning. Much was championed about his vocal call for an increase in the minimum wage, and little...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 29, 2009 | Culture, Featured Articles
Being on vacation, I spent a little time watching the funeral events surrounding the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. I realize that I know little about how things were in reality. However, here are a few thoughts on what I thought was helpful to learn from the Senator’s life: Forceful Convictions. No one would deny the conviction and fire behind the Senator’s political convictions. You don’t have to flatten your convictions in order to be effective; often the opposite is true. Personal Care. The stories of Senator Kennedy’s personal care for collegues, family, and constituents were ennumerable, from notes to calls and visits. He was often the first and sometimes unexpected person to contact someone who had personal tragedy. Personal Graciousness. While a lion in the Senate chamber, he was known as gracious in person and behind the scenes. Adversaries Can Still Be Patriots. Perhaps this is a discipline of generational difference. I have seen this to be a truth evident in a number of those in older generations, where political and even personal convictions can be forcefully delivered without being personally demeaning; but rather, still maintaining personal regard and respect. Adversaries Can Still Be Friends. While he publicly excoriated Republicans, he personally befriended many of them. There is a missing lesson to be learned here. Family Loyalty. The Kennedy’s are a storied family, but there seems to be a strong sense of loyalty and genuine affection among them to one another. Family Involvement. The Senator, as powerful as he was and as busy as he no doubt was, seemed to deeply involve himself in the life of his...
