Monday, April 22, 2013

A to Z Challenge: Statesman Guided by Bedrock Principles




Center for Christian Statesmanship Logo


Statesman:  a wise, skillful, and respected political leader, well-versed in the principles and art of government.

When I think of statesmanship, I think of historical figures like the founding fathers, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill.  I know we could expand that list considerably, but why is it that when we think of statesman, no one from the present day comes to mind?  Has the word become archaic or do we paint all politicians with a broad brush of dark colors not consistent with the word statesmanship?  

Politics around the globe seems to be a dirty business.  Good people are grouped with those that might be less admirable.  It takes someone with a strong sense of conviction or selfish ambition to enter politics today, and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the two, but I do believe that there are statesman among them, and we should look for them and look out for them, because they pay a heavy toll to participate in the process of running for office and fighting for what they believe in.  

The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, a non-partisan interdenominational evangelical outreach to our nation’s leaders and their staff, is located in Washington D.C. to minister to those on Capitol Hill and encourage and fortify Christian Statesmanship within the halls of government.  I like their definition of a statesman:

 One whose public and private conduct is guided by a bedrock set of principles that will not be compromised for personal or political gain. Such a person rises above mere partisan politics and makes the overall welfare of a nation his or her first priority.”  

Hillsdale College has a graduate school of statesmanship to train students in first principles, growing future statesman.  They focus not only on teaching the classical roots, but also the roots of contemporary political thought while helping students understand the centrality of ethics in politics.  Perhaps the concept of statesmanship won’t disappear from our lexicon.  

Do you have anyone you think of as a statesman, or are you too prone to see only the negative in politics?  

Is it worth looking for statesman in the halls of government, or should we just give up on that?  

A to Z Challenge

14 comments:

  1. An excellent S post, there are many great statesmen in time and each different in their approach but all have one thing in common the good of their country and indeed the world.

    Yvonne.

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    1. So right, Yvonne. Oh that all of them would have the good of their country and the world in mind. We certainly need to support great statesman who do. God bless, Maria

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  2. I must admit to being jaded when it comes to politics. Yet the Bible says we are to pray for those in authority. Thank you for the encouragement to support those who truly are statesmen.Blessings!
    Pam at 2 Encourage

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    1. I do understand, Pam. It is easy to be jaded by the negatively that is so voluminous. Yet we are called to honor and pray for our authorities as you say. Good to remember that, I agree. God bless, Maria

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  3. Great S post! My nephew graduated undergrad from Hillsdale, then went to NYC to get his law degree. He is back at Hillsdale working on the staff as legal counsel and teaching a class I think. I don't see many statesmen these days. I wish we could find them and actually get them elected. It seems like the good ones can't seem to get the voters!
    tm

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    1. OOH! A graduate and now teacher of Hillsdale, fabulous! Yes, I agree we have to be purposeful in looking for and voting for statesman. God bless, Maria

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  4. We don't have anyone these days that are considered true statesmen, even if they would be in a better time. Perhaps they are just deemed guilty by association to not so upstanding politicians.

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    1. Yes, DL, that is the question I wonder about. Are all guilty by association because there is so much corruption? Thanks for stopping by. God bless, Maria

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  5. I'm glad that we put our trust in God not in people. But, we so desperately need Christian statesmen, who will do what is right--no matter what.

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    1. I agree Heidi. And when they are there, they need our support, first and foremost through prayer as we are called to do. Thanks for being here. God bless, Maria

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  6. Great question, and I wonder about it all the time. I'd like to believe it so, but sometimes it's hard. So much corruption everywhere.

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    1. Hi PK. There is so much corruption; it is easy to become jaded. But there are good people and we have to believe it is so. I am glad you are thinking about it. God bless, Maria

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  7. To sad that true statesman of the past and today's politicians don't have anything in common.

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    1. I hope there are some that do, Jen. Just hard to sift through all the negative stuff we hear. Thanks for talking about it. God bless, Maria

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