Christians and Politics

Christians and Politics. Just putting these two words side by side tends to get some gut reactions going. I’m going to put some of the reactions I have heard lately on the table, and then I hope to spell out a Jesus-centered policy that will help believers as they grapple with which way to vote. So here goes…

 

Pro-Republican thoughts. Believers must vote Republican. Republicans are pro-life. Voting for a pro-choice Democrat makes you responsible for killing millions of babies. Also, Republicans want to reduce the power and cash-flow of the federal government, so you will keep more of your money and be free to invest it where it ought to go – toward the kingdom of God! And Republicans tend to understand better than Democrats do the dangers of radical Islam – that’s why we’re in Iraq, and that’s why we can’t leave until we’ve helped get them back on their feet as a pro-democracy nation! As far as energy resources go, Republicans understand that our national enemies control many of the resources we depend on… so we must drill for our own natural gas and oil for short-term energy independence. Democrats are so pro-environment that they’re willing to put our national security at risk rather than allow drilling! How could you think of voting for a Democrat?!?

 

Pro-Democrat thoughts. Abortion is already a reality in the United States, and that hasn’t changed even with a Republican president and a Republican congress. Besides, it’s more important to work with individuals and encourage our whole country not to have abortions (to change their hearts) than it is to outlaw abortion, so rather than just keep voting for the guy who says, “Hey, vote for me, I’m pro-life,” I’m going to vote for the Democrats because they care about other things I care about – things we can still change. Sure, the Democrats take more of our money away, but look at how they are trying to help poor people and provide medical care for everyone, as well as seeking to protect Social Security so that older generations can survive. Doesn’t the Bible say, “If you owe taxes, pay taxes?” I’m glad to give my money towards good things like that – and I can then turn and choose to be more generous than my unbelieving neighbors by sacrificially giving my resources to help the needy in my neighborhood and around the world. My hands aren’t tied just because the government is using some of my money! As to what’s happened in Iraq, too many hasty decisions and mistakes have come through the leadership of Republicans. Osama bin Laden and his troops were the ones who attacked us, and even though Saddam Hussein probably deserved what he got, his country may not have deserved what it got. We should have kept after bin Laden. I wish our Republican leadership had been more like the Democrats – seeking to work through diplomacy before destroying so many lives through a war based on unconfirmed and unfounded beliefs that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. And with energy, Republicans are too focused on the short-term. We know that the world’s oil resources are going to run out. What then? Let’s go ahead and really invest in alternative energy, and maybe we can more quickly solve both our short- and long-term needs. Besides, Republicans need to learn to take care of the environment better than they do; God gave this world to us as a stewardship. Why are the Democrats the only ones who seem to think that way? How could I continue to vote for Republicans? Why would I want to? They haven’t made anything better!

 

Ok, so there you have two sides of the controversy, both articulated by believers. And I have to say that I think both actually make some good points. But what disappoints me over and over as I listen to today’s Christian leaders (who are mostly urging Christians to vote Republican) and to the Christian community around me (that is largely considering voting Democrat) is that the politics of Jesus are left out of the picture almost entirely. Not the policies. Believers on both sides, whether pushing for Democrats or Republicans, quote Scripture to show that they are trying to follow Jesus’ policies. Republicans? Pro-life – that’s Jesus’ policy. Democrats? Care for the poor – that’s Jesus’ policy. Republicans? Government punishes those who do wrong (war against bin Laden, Iraq) – that’s Jesus’ policy. Democrats? Blessed are the peacemakers – that’s Jesus’ policy. So both sides are trying to pursue some of Jesus’ policies. But neither side is grappling much with Jesus’ politics.

 

What do I mean by that? Precisely this. Both sides are acting as though their favorite parties and candidates will solve the problems that are important to them. Both sides make their parties and candidates their Saviors, with a capital S. But the politics of Jesus says that there is only one Savior. There is only one King who can lead us to complete righteousness, and His name is Jesus. Republicans will never be able to prevent all the abortions in our country – even if they eventually get abortion outlawed. Democrats will never create the perfect welfare system. Republicans will never establish justice and the ability to live free from fear in this world. Democrats will never accomplish world peace through diplomacy. Neither side will or can solve all our energy problems. Ever! Oh, we may feel more comfortable with our economic status and our world standing at some times than we do right now. But will our hopes for this world be accomplished through either party? Through any candidate? Never! Never! Never! Only Jesus can set this world right, and that’s going to happen when He comes again. Peace. Health. Righteousness. A creation in perfect balance and harmony. Every need met. Every crime correctly and adequately judged and punished. And grace in abundance for those whose hope is in Jesus. For every area of life that we want fixed now, the only complete fix is found in Jesus. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 

You might say to me, “Practically speaking, though, so what? My hope is in Jesus’ return. I know that Obama can’t clear the world of evils. I know that McCain can’t solve society’s ills. But I honestly believe that Obama is going closer to where I want to be than McCain (or vice versa). So why shouldn’t I take my stand strongly? Why shouldn’t I put some kind of hope, at least, in the candidate I believe will lead us more fully in a helpful direction?”

 

Here’s the problem as I see it. The way we Christians take our stand for one candidate over another too often has become a dividing wall between us – between brothers and sisters united by Jesus Christ and bound together by His Spirit. Too often we are more loyal to our political parties than to our brothers and sisters in Christ – and when this happens, we are more loyal to our political parties than we are to Jesus! If I said right now that I were going to vote for Obama (note: I’m not saying that... at least not yet), many believers would see me as a betrayer of Jesus Christ Himself! As an enemy of the gospel! Why? Because Obama is pro-choice. But if I voted for Obama, it would be in spite of his abortion stance – I myself would still be pro-life! Yet many of my brothers and sisters would reject me. Obama would become a dividing wall between us.

 

Jesus is the only dividing wall for Christians. He divides all who are His from all who are not. And all who are His are united in Him, ONE because of Him. To make McCain or Obama, Republican or Democrat more important than Jesus Christ in our relationships with one another is a terrible sin against one another and against Jesus Christ.

 

So, who should you vote for? Either way, whether you vote for Obama or McCain, vote for obedience to Jesus Christ. If you vote for Obama because he promotes the kind of environmental stewardship you think we need, or because he promotes diplomacy before war, great! If you vote for McCain because you hope to do away with abortion clinics and protect the unborn, or because you actually intend to use the extra money you get from his tax breaks to advance Jesus’ kingdom, great! Either way, though, vote knowing that you are voting for a sinner who will get many things wrong – even sinfully wrong. And knowing this, be gracious toward brothers and sisters who vote differently rather than condemning each other. Knowing this, call out to Jesus for mercy – for yourself, our families, our churches, our cities, our states, our nation and our world. Only Jesus can give us the kind of mercy we need – forgiving our sins now and setting the world right when He comes again. In your earthly politics, remember the politics of Jesus – only Jesus is a perfectly saving King.