The Eagle: Politician serves as Christian role model

The Eagle - Ted V. Foote Jr.

During the weekend of March 2-3, I was a guest at a small church in Hempstead County, Arkansas, amid that state's southwest forests and fields. On Sunday at breakfast, prior to our Bible study, I took a seat at one of the six tables in the cozy Fellowship Hall. I encountered, in progress, an update on the small high schools' women's state basketball tournament, followed by a recap discussion of the past week's political developments in Washington, D.C.

"Sequestration" was mentioned initially. Both Democrats and Republicans at the table nodded in agreement that they would be fired from their workplaces if they became engaged in ideological gridlock like the members of Congress in Washington seem to be.

Just as quickly as the sequestration topic arose, it was followed by mention of the Violence Against Women Act. "What do you know about that?" one person asked me.

"I'm not a legal expert," I replied, "but to the best of my knowledge, the debate has hinged on whether to expand the application and funding of the law, which requires renewal."

"That's correct," my questioner said. "Didn't you used to live in Oklahoma?" I nodded. "Well, the only two members of Congress who are registered Native Americans are from Oklahoma. The younger one -- a Cherokee -- voted with over 135 of his Republican colleagues against the expanded version, but Tom Cole -- a Chickasaw -- tried to convince his colleagues that Native American women who live in the jurisdiction of Tribal Laws needed the expansion of this bill's particulars for comprehensive legal coverage. Rep. Cole used his influence with Speaker Boehner, who then allowed the vote to go forward, even though the majority of Republicans would vote against it."

Then chimed in the member who had criticized ideological gridlock: "I don't know Tom Cole, but I like his courage and conviction. We need more of that."

I did not tell them that a few days earlier I had scanned a book written by James Gustafson in 1975, Can Ethics Be Christian? Gustafson argues that actions by one or more persons on behalf of other human beings in difficult situations may be undertaken by persons who are not necessarily followers of Jesus Christ. Yet for those who say they follow him, Jesus provides a model of caring, courage, risk and sacrifice for all persons with a definite focus toward those with little or no leverage legally, economically, physically and emotionally.

Later, from Internet sources, I discovered that Tom Cole is a member of a United Methodist congregation. He seems to be one Christian who has acted ethically in his role as a U.S. representative, doing so in a way that followed Jesus' model and teachings -- with outreach and advocacy for fellow human beings, in this case for women not heretofore protected by comprehensive legal coverage, who have had no leverage and few resources.

No wonder those Arkansas Presbyterians gave Tom Cole nods of approval.

Ted V. Foote Jr. has been pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bryan since 2007.

Online: The Eagle