Dialogue on The Tragedy of American Compassion

Here is the deal...I just started reading a book that I think will do an excellent job sparking some debate.  As you can tell from the title this is a historical look at "compassion" and its evolution over time in America.  You should also note that my copy has a little marketing sticker that says "Recommended by Newt Gingrich"

I thought it would be fun to throw out some qoutes and ideas from the book every so often just to get some thoughts going on compassion.  Is there a line? or not?

Here are the first two quotes:

1. "Cultures build systems of charity in the image of the god they worship. Whether distant diest, bumbling bon vivant, or "whatever goes" gopher."
   
   
2. I will utter an exhortation that you may not abbuse your charity by missapplying it.  Let us try to do good with as much application of mind as wicked men employ in doing evil."   -Cotton Mather 1698 (famous preacher in colonies)
   

The first quote is of particular intrigue.  I wonder what sort of system of charity we have built and how it is a reflection of the God we seek to worship.  In the 21st century portland culture we are far from a distant deist, and I doubt we are bumbling.  We could be accused of a "whatever goes" kind of approach. 

But I wonder really what kind of God are we building this model of charity from.  Is it a God who desires that all would come to repent and believe?  A question that naggs at me is how great is that desire....really how strong is that desire?  Is the desire of God that all would come to know Him great enough to pour out grace in extraordinary ways that would seem to demolish our "enablement" fears.    

It makes you wonder.  What if our model of charity were mysterious and spirit led...wouldn't that resemble the God I know as Christ Jesus.  maybe thats just a cop out?