I was not planning to bring too much election politics into this blog, but some rhetoric today from those confessing to be Christians has thoroughly disgusted me. I have found too many words of hatred and slander to keep silent. Particularly, I have in mind the accusations of Obama being a terrorist. It is well known that multiple news agencies have investigated the allegations and have found no evidence of a serious relationship between Bill Ayers and Barack Obama. In the absence of any real evidence, it seems to me that the accusations, even implied accusations, are nothing but slander, an activity of which those confessing Christ as their Lord should repent.
I have also been vexed by the marriage between fiscal conservatism and evangelical Christianity. If a Christian finds herself in favor of conservative economic policies, that is fine. However, to suggest that someone who is in favor of policies that are most beneficial to the poor, the meek, the orphaned, and the widowed is somehow holding to an anti-Christian view seems nothing short of bizarre to me. I don't mean that a Christian cannot support fiscally conservative views, but to declare liberal economic policies apostasy seems disingenuous to me.
On the issue of abortion, I am in disagreement with Obama and the Democratic platform in general. I see pro-life to be the stance that favors a disadvantaged party and thus support legislating against abortion. However, this is not the only issue at stake. Christians must weigh all issues on the table. There are good reasons, congruent with Christianity, for voting Republican and there are good reasons, congruent with Christianity, for voting Democrat.
The Christian must remember that the ideology of neither party fully represents the gospel. As a result, the actions of the state will not fully manifest the Kingdom of God. This situation should not inspire a lack of hope in the Christian. Jesus, contrary to messianic expectations at the time, did not bring into being a new theocratic state. His kingdom is near, but has not yet arrived. It will not fully arrive until the resurrection of the dead and the enactment of the new creation (Rom. 8).
For now we ought to vote in the way that we think best favors the gospel, but we ought not vote in an attempt to create God's Kingdom out of our political institutions. Jesus is Lord and he will bring his kingdom. That is the foundational creed of Christianity.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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6 comments:
a friend sent me a link to your blog and i just read today's post. THANK YOU! this is exactly what i've been thinking for months, but haven't been able to verbalize. well-said! and amen.
Well said! I am an old friend of Megan's from Eau Claire and am so glad she passed on your blogsite. Too bad more people can't be as reasonable and understanding as you when it comes to politics/this election.
Thank you, brother. We have a first allegiance to our King, and I think you have put it beautifully.
I sent a link to Megan about Derek Webb's new album - I highly recommend it. He's giving it away for free during this week of the election only. His album addresses many of these issues that rear their head during the election and how we as Christians are called to react.
(PS: I had a similar experience of hearing hateful things...I blogged it).
Hey Ross,
I continue to read your blog. Unfortunately mine was very short-lived, but I'm content to continue reading yours. This comment is pretty late, but I found this blog post on the election to be very helpful. It's titled "Living soli Deo gloria under Obama". Hope you get a chance to read it and respond.
http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/11/eric-redmond-living-soli-deo-gloria.html
Hey Nick,
Thanks for pointing me to that blog article. That is the kind of intelligent and non-slanderous dialogue (though his comment about Obama being ‘anti-life’ was a bit slanderous) which Christians ought to be engaging. It was great to here the politically conservative perspective from an African-American view.
The thrust of his argument lay in his support of anti-abortion legislation. I do support anti-abortion legislation. However, that is virtually the only component of the Republican platform with which I agree.
Redmond argued that this issue is so important that it is worth single issue voting. That is a position with which I do not agree. Redmond formed his argument from a desire for righteousness. I too form my argument from righteousness. The democratic platform (Obama included) strongly tends to favor the oppressed in society. Mercy for the born is no less righteous than mercy for the unborn.
On a note about race, which Redmond deals with from his perspective as an African-American, I can certainly respect and admire his position. I however, come from a different perspective. I am a Euro-American male from an upper middle class family. By nature of my skin color I receive privilege in this world at the expense and pain of Africa-Americans, probably to an extent of which I cannot fathom. Since this culture gives me power based on my race I find myself compelled to surrender that power as best I can. That is the model of the cross and I believe it is a significant message of scripture.
I would not have voted for Obama had I not thought he was qualified. Had he been completely Euro-American, I probably would have still voted for him. However, his blackness gave me a chance to surrender my power as Christ did. It was a step towards racial reconciliation – a righteous value that is far too under-valued in white evangelical circles. It was a chance for me to tell African-Americans that I love them and want to hear their voice. I feel my vote for Obama was no less motivated from a desire for righteousness and a love for my neighbor than Eric Redmond's vote against Obama.
Ross! I like your ideas and I think that many people don't know how to think through the options or feel they are confined to support only one party as a Christian.
Eric
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