Statement on Trump's Acquittal (Originally posted on my facebook page):

Early in the impeachment of Donald Trump, I decided not to take a stand on his guilt or innocence. As regular readers of my page know, I do not comment on major issues like these unless I first read the primary sources, evaluate the evidence, and think through the various issues. I have not had such an opportunity as I did over a year ago during the first impeachment. As such, whether I would have voted to acquit or convict, I do not know.

More concerning to me are those who are either heralding or bashing the 7 Republicans who voted against Trump. Also, many are bashing the 43 Republicans for voting to acquit or the Democrats who brought up the charges.

I am not asking if you agree or disagree with these people, but when our first instinct and reaction is merely bashing others, we are demonstrating the decline and folly of a Republican form of government. Yes, we have had these insults since early in our founding, and we survived. However, we survived limping and hurt.

Our Constitutional structure and our Christian character demand that we get beyond the rancor of insults and innuendos and into engaging. For instance, when I opposed David French's view on impeachment a year ago, I treated his arguments seriously, engaged his ideas with respect and dignity, and hoped to honor the integrity of his argument with a well-thought-out argument.

Let's be known for how we disagree instead of how we insult. Let's be known for what we say that honors the process and people instead of what we say that belittles and demeans.

Christians, we are called to be people of ideas and intellect. Giving into the basic passions and instincts is not only unChristian, it undermines the very image of God in which we were made.