By: Dan Steinfield, Head of School

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

In 1787, when the Founding Fathers had hammered out the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin told an inquiring woman what the gathering had produced, "A republic, madam, if you can keep it." On Tuesday, November 2 - over 230 years later - we have the great privilege to participate in the democratic process to elect local and state government officials. A freedom we cherish in the United States, especially when only half of the world’s population have the right to vote. The self-evident truth that "all men are created equal; endowed by their creator with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" remains a powerful philosophical and moral foundation of the American republic. 

For the body of Christ, our deep hope is not found in our Democracy, our governing officials, or our nation’s founding documents. Isaiah reminds us that Messiah, Jesus Christ, will usher in God’s kingdom. An eternal kingdom with true righteousness and justice. A kingdom of whose peace there will be no end. On that fearful and awe-inspiring day every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. For the people of Israel with a history of failed kings, this was amazing, blessed news and a cause for rejoicing. This remains amazing, blessed news to us today. 

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:10-20 that “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God making his appeal through us.” The redeemed of the Lord, individually and corporately, serve as ambassadors of the perfect government to come. Through our Steadfast Confession and Unashamed Compassion, we are agents of new creation. DC exists to prepare students for a life of impact; ambassadors who have received the gift of salvation and freely present the gift of salvation.

Ephesians 4:1-3 calls us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” There are strong opinions in the political landscape today. I am calling our community to be even more eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit, even more eager to bear with one another in love, and even more eager to walk with humility and patience as we await the perfect government to come.