It seems like the issue of God's "political stance" comes up more often in the days after the 2004 Presidential election. With the assistance of Karl Rove, the ACLU, James Dobson, and NOW, American followers of Jesus are forced to define God's political platform.
What happens when we put a new suit on God with a small American flag pin on the lapel? At campaign headquarters, we busily plot political-religious strategy. We have one group that screams "Truth... truth is the most important thing that God must get across. If he doesn't tell them the truth then people die without salvation!" Another group crys "Love... love is the most important thing God must speak about. He is so charismatic and warm. They are starving for the real love that comes from him and will find strength in his love. Without that strength they can not face the truth."
As Americans we feel passionately about our opinions of what God wants an obedient follower to do and say. We are his hands and feet in this world so our votes are more than just an electoral action. They become a manifesto of faith and send a message to the world around us about what we believe.
"What message is sent when we don't show unity?", we worry. "Will the world get the wrong message because some of the followers are saying the wrong things?"
The socialists point to Acts 2 and 5. The capitalists point to the parable of the talents and Paul's writings about giftings. Authoritarians point to God's model of government in heaven and the one he chose for Israel (after they rejected him). Democracy advocates point to the ability of it to facilitate open discussions about faith and smooth out the winds of generational religous shifts.
So in the end, where is God on these issues? And how should his people act and vote? I have no easy answers and am not vain enough to speak for God. I leave you to your own struggles.
However, I do think these struggles offer us a chance to remember God's promise. He promised that peoples from all the nations will be present in Heaven. He also commands his people to submit to earthly authorities which God has placed over them.
Since we know these facts, we should not force a communist to become a capitalist before we share fellowship with him/her. The same is true for views on social and cultural issues such as dress, grooming habits, and body language. Must we "civilize" the "savages" as a condition of belief in Jesus or is it enough for them to "savagely" seek and praise God?
I challenge all of us including myself to seek to strip away my culture and bias from his gospel, love, truth, and glory.
I actually believe that God is apolitical -- that God cares less about which exact person is leading the country (city, state, etc) than in the reactions of his people to that person. I believe that every time we use God as a reason to vote a certain way, we cheapen God. If we want to disagree about politics, let's leave it as a political disagreement -- once we start saying that God is on our side, we lie, and we lie dangerously (to paraphrase CS Lewis).
ReplyDeleteBut I also get oh so tired of people villainizing watching out for other people. I am weary in my soul every time I hear that "God helps those who help themselves" (which is NOT Biblical) as a reason why people continue to spend money on themselves and why they can look down on the poor or the outcast. Sometimes other Christians frighten and offend me with their America-centric views, and my posting the Bible verses about generosity and giving all you have away were intended to offer up a little balance.
I called it "socialism" because I knew that would get people all hot and bothered and maybe make them think before they labeled godliness as a despotic political system.
Americans do not have a monopoly on understanding the will of God. Sometimes we get it egregiously wrong. I don't want some knee-jerk reaction of capitalists to drive people away from the faith -- people who would fall madly in love with Jesus if Christians ever got around to talking about the real man, and not some fictional political figure.
LOVE this Jeff. Love it. Got is not an ___ist, a ___al, a ___an or anything. I love the part about pinning an american flag to Jesus and about making savages civilized as a condition of belief.
ReplyDeleteWHO ARE WE to say one isnt saved because they dont share your doctrine or dress? John 3:16 doesn't have a bunch of bylaws.
Ah I hate politics. Too much aggravation, hate, and distraction from what we should focus on. Jesus.
I also am reminded of the Jews when Jesus came. They wanted a political leader and savior, some didnt expect a savior from their sins.
This is again just my opinion. What do I know? Im just a human that needs a savior.
Joy