2008 Democrats & Young Evangelicals: A Love Story

Holy hooplah, evangelicals! Don Miller gave the closing benediction tonight at the opening of the Democrats' convention.

The strange controversy over the benediction began Friday with Cameron Strang of Relevant Magazine (whose father is Steven Strang, founder of Charisma Magazine) backing out of his initial acceptance of the Dems' invitation to pray. He had his reasons, mostly being that he did not feel comfortable being painted with a politically-biased brush. Donald Miller, however, doesn't seem to mind, and the pals touched base about the ol' switcharoo, and Miller agreed and put his bells on.

Now . . . I LOVE Donald Miller. He is such a gifted writer. He is bright and witty and humble and inspiring. He is real, completely without pretense. My introduction to him came from his book, Blue Like Jazz. It had been given to my brother by our friend Nate, and Justin gave it to me with a certain urgency for me to read it. Nate knew it would change Justin's life; Justin knew it would change mine.

And, it did. Those words ministered to me in such a way that perhaps only the words of Lewis had before. I read it, closed it, opened it, and re-read it immediately. It affirmed me. It reminded me that it's okay to have questions - and I am famous for my interrogation skills - and to be human. God created us. He knows who we are.

But, Don Miller will be greeted now with the same hostility that perhaps prompted Strang to decline. Certain folks out there know in their "knowers" that to be a Democrat is inconsistent with the Christian walk. "The" Christian walk. There is no "the" in this case, Loves. It is his, or it is hers. A person's faith is a deeply personal experience, or at least it should be.

Don Miller's presence at the DNC does not bother me. He is entitled to his political beliefs, as I am mine. His politics do not make him any less theologically sound. Now, if he began to use his ministry and calling as a political platform, he would lose this reader. But that's not going to happen. He knows what his calling is.

That interview raised some questions for me. I dig black and white. It works for me. But, just because I have no room for gray in my life does not mean that I don't have room for people who have gray in theirs.

Ultimately, I am pleased with the prayer that Miller gave tonight. I join him in his gratitude for what we have and his requests for what we need, though I would pray to restore our morality period, not just our moral standing in the world. I remain a devoted reader.