Fuller’s President Dr. Mouw offers a scriptural approach to partisan problems
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11/30/12
Fuller Theological Seminary’s President Richard Mouw was
quoted in a Washington Post column in answer to the question, “Would God compromise to avoid the ‘fiscal
cliff’?”
In her November 29 column, Lisa Miller notes that Congress
is mired in partisan entrenchment over issues like the “fiscal cliff,” and she
wonders if faith leaders, based on their knowledge of scripture and religious
tradition, would be able to formulate a “theology of compromise.”
“Might they be able to persuade the two camps to forge a
deal based on a higher principle of forward progress and mutual agreement?” she
asked.
In the column, Miller interviewed three faith leaders—Cal
Thomas, syndicated columnist and Christian commentator, Jim Wallis of
Sojourners, and Dr. Mouw.
She wrote: “My search for a theology of compromise was
satisfied, finally, when I called Richard J. Mouw, the president of Fuller
Theological Seminary, and talked about the Christian idea of discernment, of
finding the right path among confusing and contradictory signals.”
Dr. Mouw says that in an imperfect world, the best people
can do, as finite creatures, is to approximate answers as best they can. This
may require bouncing ideas off other people and the testing of thoughts.
“In secular terms, he says, the word ‘discernment’ might
mean ‘compromise.’ That process might work as a model for politicians in
Congress, who are mired in their own righteousness,” Miller concluded.
To read the full column, go
here.