Last night at the Phillips home, more than thirty students and friends gathered to watch a computer broadcast of the presidential debates. Like the rest of America, we tuned in to hear Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama battle Republican nominee John McCain on issues which centered primarily around the economy. The fundamental though unspoken theological premise of the debate centered around the state as Messiah. Both candidates presupposed the duty of the state to meet the health care needs of America and to regulate the economy, and both candidates appealed to the politics of class warfare to justify governmental intervention in the economy.

Of course, there were shades of differences. Barack Obama’s arguments probably constitute the most overtly Marxist line of reasoning in the history of televised presidential debates. His agenda was downright scary, but McCain’s was only less so, and by degrees.

The statist presuppositions of the candidates became especially clear when it came to issues of regulation, including health care. When asked the question as to whether health care was a “privilege, right, or responsibility,” Obama declared it to be “a right.” McCain gave the technically correct answer “responsibility,” but then went on to describe responsibility as a public responsibility, which is almost the same as saying it is a “right.” Both men failed to see that it is government regulation and controls which are sinking health care and the insurance industry. Both men failed to see that it was not the vision of the Founders, and should not be the vision of freedom-loving leaders, to turn America into a nanny state. Both men are looking to wealth redistribution and regulation as an answer—Obama to a militant Marxism, and McCain’s to a kinder, gentler Marxism.

And this brings me back to “the real world”—the world where the Bible still matters, and the eternal wisdom of the Lord has not, nor will ever be, suspended. In this world, many who call upon the name of Jesus Christ are wondering: What are freedom-loving Christian to do about the health care crisis in an age of statism and Marxist guilt manipulation?

John McCain was right: The answer to the health care problem is responsibility, but not the type managed by the state. What we need is a return to biblical priorities, all of which point to individual responsibility, the responsibility of the family and extended family, of godly private institutions, and the broader responsibility of the Church as an institution which exists outside and apart from civil government.

One ministry in America has clearly identified the problem and provided a practical and biblical solution to the rising cost of health care—Samaritan Ministries. The philosophy of this ministry is deeply rooted in the mandate for Christians to take personal responsibility and look for private solutions to the medical needs of the Christian community. This means training Christians to think like responsible men and women of God, not junkies of wealth redistribution, government handout, and intense regulation. It means demonstrating genuine care and love for the brethren. And it means fiscally intelligent, wise methods of meeting practical needs.

One of the best things about Samaritan Ministries is that their approach to meeting health care needs really works! Beall and I have been the beneficiary of their excellent services for several years, and we thank God for what the amazing staff at Samaritan Ministries has accomplished.

Bottom line: When it comes to family health care needs, cast your vote for Samaritan Ministries. If more Americans turned to this approach to health care needs, it might render obsolete the very frightening vision for “health care reform” touted by candidates like Barack Obama.