A Political Post

I am not a very political person. My beliefs on politics are firmly planted in my faith. There are many Christians and non-Christians who disagree with my views and stance on political thing but I simply follow a conviction. There was a time when I was very political and very leftist in my beliefs. Now I am not saying I have gone far right but through prayer and Biblical study I found my way to a middle ground where rational thought trumps my want to belong to a “side”. I do not vote because of my own convictions that are somewhat based on my own tendency to be dragged down by all this political non-sense and also partly due to my Anabaptist-ish theology. I am not a true Anabaptist because of a few variables. I am simply a Christian.

I gave up my political involvement when I started in ministry over 10 years ago. Now since then I have voiced my opinions and even was down right mean about a few of our leaders, of which I was wrong to be mean spirited. The reason the quit voting and caring as much about the process was because I was leading people in need of God’s love and his healing. I did not see a place for politics in that. I saw that as a leader I needed to be impartial to those I helped when it came to politics, thus I abstained. Soon I began to read in the Bible things that made me feel perhaps God never wanted us to have so much involvement. Now that is my opinion so please do not take that as claiming fact. The first place I was challenged was in 1 Samuel 8 in which God’s people ask for a king. This doesn’t sit well with Samuel but he took it to God and God answered with “Let them have their king but let me tell you what will happen.” So the chapter has this list of what will happen if God’s people allow a king to rule over them instead of allowing God to be their leader. Basically God tells them that things are gonna change, families will be torn apart and over all it is going to get harder. This concludes with verse 18 “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” Pretty sobering words and yet the people then did not heed the warning and obviously we have learned time and again that we often ignore God when we want something bad enough.

Then I read Romans chapter 13. Here Paul tells the Christians of Rome to pay their taxes, be good citizens and respect the authority because they have the right to rule. This is an often argued verse for everything from peace, just war theory, paying taxes, and yes political involvement. Now the way I see this passage is that Paul is looking out for the Roman Christians. He knows their is a lot of distrust, frustration and fear towards the Roman authority. He realizes that Christians are not that popular with the Jewish leaders or with the Romans. Paul’s one fear is that their might be a revolt being planned by the Christians or at least some civil unrest. This is why he points out that the government has the right to use the sword against man to keep order. He is explaining that if you go against te leadership or break the laws there is a punishment that you won’t escape and should expect it. I also take from this that even though I believe in a life of non-violence and I am opposed to war the governments or nations do not have to adhere to that. My view is one based on Christ’s teaching and convictions in my heart, the nations is based on governing, protection and whatever else they get themselves into war over. I choose to go the peace route. Paul seemed to agree and was just reminding these brother and sisters that they have obligations to the authority, taxes and laws, but they also have obligations to Christ, loving their neighbor and loving God. Therefore the chapter begins with a very solid warning to be good citizens and not shake the boat to much and ends with a lecture on what it mean to follow Christ. He explains that paying our debts and being peaceful people is loving our neighbors because if you harm your neighbor that is not love. Paul concludes by urging Christians to live humbly and opposite of the standard of the world because we must be set apart.

So these two verses really challenged my thinking on politics as well as what I desire in my heart. So as the election hoopla picks up and the mudslinging gets worse I try to stay positive. I see Christians taking shots, name calling and being immature. These are people on both sides of the coin too. There is trend lately that only right wing conservatives are misrepresenting Christ in politics and that is simply wishful thinking. I have seen just as much venom, hatred and fear mongering from the left as I have from the right when it comes to Christians. Both sides use their faith as a selling point or at least a platform, which bothers me. It often makes me so mad but then I go back to the Bible and look at 1 Timothy 2:1-3 which gives my clarity on how to handle it all. It says “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” So I pray for the politicians, for the Christians on both sides, and for myself that I fight off my cynicism. Do I think it is wrong for Christians to vote or be politically active? No, but for me it is. I also feel Christians should proceed with extreme caution. Do be led astray by the use of our faith to get votes nor be taken up by promises that seem a bit out of reach. Pray for the leaders in office and forgive them of their short comings, bless them. In the same way pray for and bless everyone both friend and foe.

Finally I would like to say that though I do not vote I am thankful that I was born and raised in America. It is a blessing to not live in a land of persecution, famine or war. At the same time my true allegiance lies within the Kingdom of God and solely to Jesus Christ. I do not think the world is ending, Tim Tebow is divine or that Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ, that is foolish. What I do believe is that we live in a fallen and very humanistic world. Our society in the States is one that is based on personal freedom but is also our downfall maybe our reliance on self. Our selfishness is a result of the sin in the world but it is that selfishness that defines much of the issues in our country. So no I don’t vote and even as a pastor I do not think we have to have a Christian in political leadership. I feel that it would be a very hard thing for a Christian to do, and many have done it, and are still doing it. My fear is that when it comes down to conviction of loving your enemies or forgiving one another there could be a problem. So again I pray for the Christians who are in politics. Lastly I want to plead that we keep the politics out of our churches, pulpits and services. If you are a pastor or church member do not let a politician campaign within a worship service. I also would say to any pastor that I caution endorsing a candidate publicly because that could have a polarizing affect on the congregation. Remember we are called to lead but also serve. Our opinions do not matter as much as our dedication to those we serve daily. Our preferences are second to our obedience to God and our appointment as shepherds. Let’s lead the way Christ did and continue the great of the Gospel. As long as Christ comes first for the Christian everything else should be secondary.

Amen