Too Political?
With the election just weeks away we are all inundated with politics right now. It is a privilege to live in a country where we can have a say (in a limited way) in the direction of our country by voting. If you’re like me, you probably wish that our system allowed for better candidates to make it to the top. Regardless who gets elected, the Bible calls us to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We will not be taking a stand at Grace Place, telling people how to vote or who to vote for. The reason for this is we want to be a church who reaches people with the gospel regardless of political parties. We want the church to be a place where we address biblical issues such as: the sanctity of human life, the sacredness of marriage, responsible care of the environment, how to best address injustice and poverty, etc., but without tying these issues to political parties.
I was disturbed to read a book recently, Unchristian: What a new generation really things about Christianity. The book revealed how the many young people’s perception of the church is that we are hypocritical, judgmental, anti-homosexual, sheltered, insincere, and too political. I hope we can be a church that changes these perceptions. If you’d like to read the chapter on politics, click here: Too Political.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Great article that is timely. I am particularly pleased that Grace Place is not doing political endorsements. I have experienced a change in my own attitude during the last decade. Being caught up in the christian/political discussion during the last decade, I was faced with a reality check by an interim pastor we had at a church I attended. I had become close to him as he helped mentor me during a period when we were searching for a new pastor. He was older, kind and I was amazed at his ability to give insightful sermons. He was compassionate and guided the church session openly and lovingly. He surprised me when I found out he was a very active Democrat. It shocked me and we had some dicsussions about it, but always good natured discussions. I think it helped me to understand that there were many Christians who weren’t using abortion and homosexuality issues as the only defing litmus tests for political decisions. I found a book by Jim Wallis that helped me understand Christians and politics a little better. I actually loved the title of the book as it summarized how I struggled with the whole issue. The title is “God’s Politics, How the right gets it wrong, and the left doesn’t get it”. I thought that that is exactly how I felt.
Here is how I see it now:
Left Wing // Right Wing
Liberal // Conservative
Democrat // Republican
Socially compassionate // Free enterprise
Grace oriented without God // Truth oriented without compassion
Now it seems boths sides have a piece of the truth. The republicans want to protect unborn children but are hesitant to adopt programs that sustain the weak once they are born. The democrats will think aborting life in the womb as a choice but will adopt programs that assist the weak once they are born. As Jim Wallis puts it, there is a lack on consistency in the ethic of life on both sides.
I like to think the democrats have grace (in many causes) and the republicans have truth (at least in some cases). Now God certainly contains both Truth and Grace. How did God handle Truth and Grace. Truth and Grace meet in Jesus on the cross. It is the only way they meet! SO that put Christians in the center, picking up our crosses and trying hold on to both truth and grace. If your a republican, how are you influencing your party to be compassionate about the weak? If your a democrat, how are you influencing your party to a Godly worldview. Neither is an easy task. Demonizing the other side is not christian.
When we think of Sodom and Gomorrah, we think of God’s judgement on sexually perverse society, but in Ezekiel we get a deeper look at God’s judgement.
Eze 16:49 “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.”
It makes you think!
I guess this article touches on an issue I am very aware of. Thanks for sharing it.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Wow, that is an extremely insightful analysis John, thanks for writing this out! Well said.