Kari McDowellTo me, Hebraic leadership means leading in the light of the Hebraic worldview. In other words, taking the truths of the Bible seriously and taking them into account as we live in the world. To give just one example, one of the biggest things that God has been teaching me over the last few years is that I am a citizen of His kingdom, not a citizen of this earth, and I need to place my hope in Christ, not my country. I am a history professor, so I am blessed to have the opportunity to frequently reflect (and teach) on the rise and fall of nations and rulers. What I have realized is that the Lord’s Kingdom is the only one that endures and that I should not set my hope on any political leader, political party, or even nation. Growing up in the church, I frequently heard highly fearful and emotionally charged rhetoric (especially around election season) that our nation could avoid God’s judgment and be “saved” by one or another political leader. One particular political party was essentially seen as the “redeemer” of the American people. Gradually, the Lord has convicted me to think differently in this area, and the Basic Pathfinder course helped me continue to reflect on this. The Hebraic leader does not necessarily eschew politics, but he or she realizes that they are limited in their efficacy. He or she leads in love, not fear, and focuses on Jerusalem, not Washington, D.C. (or Wall Street or Hollywood, for that matter). He or she does not place their hope in any leader or party, knowing they are all fallible and impermanent; and his or her loyalty to the Lord trumps their loyalty to their country. Key verses for me in this regard are Phil. 3:20, Psalm 146:3-4, and Heb. 12:28-29. I am happy to share this perspective with my students, so that they can learn from some well-known (and lesser-known) Hebraic leaders in history.
