OPINION:
From the perspective of an amateur historian and an erstwhile political scientist, this is certainly an interesting time to be alive. As awkward as it may sometimes feel, we have as a nation been allowed to live through what will be remembered as an historical occasion.
This election year is only in its mid-stages, yet the twists and turns have jumbled the brains of even the most seasoned observers. Virtually every political prognosticator is left to shake their heads in dismay and make some wild guess as to what the outcome will be. That is not to even mention whose names will be on the Democrat party ticket when the dust settles.
Subscribe to have The Washington Times’ Higher Ground delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
However, in a real sense these times are much more personal to be left to the mere musings of the talking heads on cable TV, aren’t they? Like most Americans, I have felt firsthand the angst that hangs like a thick choking smog over the days in which we are living. I understand all too well the reality that the month is just too long for the money in many households that are near and dear to my heart. I see the division in our once great country along with the deterioration of morality in a way unforeseen just a few short years ago. I grieve over the lack of true faith even amongst those who at least superficially name the name of Jesus Christ. And I sense with great consternation that our enemies are not only on our doorstep, but they have taken up residence in our living rooms as well. Is it any wonder that the spirits of the inhabitants of this once great nation are at a seemingly all-time low?
Suddenly in the midst of the malaise, we now find ourselves in the spectacle of political convention time. Practically, every political convention, perhaps even by design, is form over substance. The just completed 2024 Republican National Convention was no exception to the rule. Sure, there is always great fanfare and politics reaches a fever pitch leaving the participants to assume that the whole world is just like the arena in which they are standing. I suspect that it seems a little incredulous to the Republican faithful partying in Milwaukee that the election will not be unanimous based on what they have just seen and heard.
In the midst of the fanfare, there are still the cooler heads of some veterans of the election media façade. The words of wisdom from their lips, which are not heard by many ears, are “this election is far from over,” and indeed it is not. But reality tells even the most unsophisticated observer that Mr. Trump and the Republicans have been given a significant head start. Republican guru Karl Rove frames the Democrat party dilemma succinctly when he simply states, “The Democrats are in a deep hole, and they are going to have to dig out of it.”
Certainly, as far as conventions go, even less biased voices admitted that it was well-planned and meticulously completed. In fact, many would say that it perhaps was one of the most effective presentations of a party’s “best foot forward” in recent history. The unity displayed was conceivably even extraordinary. However, the disarray of the Democrat party admittedly served as a perfect foil for the family reunion feeling displayed on our TV sets.
Much will be said in the coming days regarding analyses of the events this week in Milwaukee. Anyone who watched with any consistency will no doubt have their favorite moment or at least be able to identify the time that angered them the most. But agree or disagree, who could find fault in the voices of everyday people particularly almost 100-year-old WW II veteran William Pekrul who offered to reenlist and storm any beach if Mr. Trump was his commander in chief?
As for Mr. Trump’s pick of J. D. Vance as his running mate, quite honestly, he was his most logical choice. There is no one who is above criticism, and there will be plenty lobbed at Mr. Vance if for no other reason than he is attached to Mr. Trump. In the long run, however, Mr. Vance will be a formidable addition to the Republican ticket. But suffice it to say this is like a basketball team making it to the Sweet 16 in March Madness. It is okay to celebrate for tonight, but tomorrow the Republicans better get back to work if they want to prevail in November.
There is one last thought about the convention itself and the Trump ticket generally. Even before the horrible assassination attempt on the life of Mr. Trump just a week ago, he was being portrayed as a type of “savior” for the country. Certainly, the results of the bullet wound received by Mr. Trump did nothing to dissuade his followers from making the connection. Both blatantly and subliminally this was the clear message of the convention. Perhaps you missed it as the Trump and Vance families were on stage reveling in the adoration of the crowd, but there was an old song being played in the background originally recorded by the group Sam and Dave. Pay attention for a moment to its lyrics.
“Don’t you ever feel sad
Lean on me when times are bad
When the day comes and you’re down
In a river of trouble and about to drown,
Just hold on, I’m comin’
Hold on, I’m comin’”
While I am certainly not in a position to deny that our nation desperately needs a political savior, and likewise at this point, I cannot dispute that Mr. Trump just might fit that billing. I would simply want to remind you that the Savior our country so desperately needs is already available and His name is Jesus Christ.
As the old-time preacher Dr. S. M. Lockridge would say, “There was nobody before Him, and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him, and He ain’t going to resign.” You see Donald J. Trump may well become President of these United States; though despite fears to the contrary, he will never be king. But at Southern Evangelical Seminary, we already have one. To that end I will stand along with my brothers and sisters and steadfastly proclaim the only truth that matters. Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords — that’s my King! And by the way, in case you haven’t heard, just hold on — He’s coming again!
–
After a successful career as a lawyer and judge, Judge Phil Ginn retired as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District in North Carolina. Throughout his 22-year judicial career, he had the privilege of holding court in almost 50% of the county seats in North Carolina. Currently, Judge Ginn serves as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary (ses.edu) and is a regular contributor to Christianity.com and The Washington Times. Judge Ginn has also been featured on Fox News, CBN, Newsmax, Decision Magazine, The Christian Post, Townhall and many others.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.