I have a lot of friends who are wondering what to do in regards to this upcoming election. How should they vote, should they vote, what is my role in government if I am a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, etc. etc. It is probably the most important election in this nation's history and the Church in America is appearing as, (like they have many times in recent years) like a deer stuck in headlights. Let me offer my opinoin, not a solution, because no one wants one of those. Solutions and absolutes are very the ill-informed, (thick sarcasm intended).
On the one side you got followers of Jesus who say I'm voting for McCain, he's republican and all republicans are Christians.
On another side you got followers of Jesus who say republican idealogies are inconsistent with Christianity, some may be in line but some aren't. Therefore I see no contradiction in voting for someone who isn't republican.
There's another side that says you're ignorant if you think republican and Christian are synonomous.
Still another side that says both sides are evil, therefore I choose none.
Then there are those who say politics and Christianity have no common ground, and this from different angles of both liberals and conservatives.
Then there may be a few that I missed but I will say that any position that a man has on the matter that isn't grounded in scripture matters none. Yes who cares what CNN says, who cares what Oprah says, who cares what O'reilly says and who cares what Hannity says, what does scripture say?
Of course I would be challenged to say that the bible clearly says to vote, but I would be at the mercies of endless examples of scripture to say that the Bible is full of political happenstance, particularly in regards to Jesus and how he is portrayed in the gospels. From his birth to his death the stories are chalked full of political lingo from a Jewish as well as Hellenistic point of view. To say the least, the gospel writers were well aware that their "Sitz im Leben Jesu" was a political one. Even at this painfully obvious nugget of truth it is a wonder that many Christians get their feathers ruffled talking about politics and the idea that we have a resposnsibility to the world in which we live, not just the world in which we hope for. (Don't start hatin' at this point, I haven't said anything other than politics shouldn't scare you if you follow Jesus.)
So politics were a part of Jesus' life, but to what extent did he and the ones who followed him engage in the politics of his life. There were times when Jesus broke the law (handwashing issues in Matthew 15 is a test by Pharisees to see if Jesus would keep their law) and there were times when he followed it, (Temple tax story in Luke is Jesus' way of saying follow the laws of the land because God is the one who positions (all - wicked and righteous alike) men into authority). So political issues are not silenced in the Bible yet, the issue at hand for the next two weeks is how do we as followers of Jesus engage in an election that is seemingly contrary to not only what we believe but also the hopes we have as Christians in America.
This issue is even more difficult because democracy, as we know it, was a foreign concept to the writers of the Bible. Theirs was a monarchy and the bible is void of any votes in matters of morality and spirituality, (unless of course you count the 4-5 times lots were cast in the NT, and then it becomes more of an issue of gambling than democracy). So the question then becomes does the Christian have a responsibility to the good of mankind or is there a social element to the gospel. In particular, do Christians have a role in society apart from evangelism as defined as nothing less than the proclomation of the gospel of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as the only act to save a man's soul? More particular still, and to cut to the chase, should we vote?
Immediately someone would say that Jesus clearly stated on numerous occassions that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) and the one who rules this world is evil, (John 14:30). He even rebuked those who tried to set up his kingdom before the appointed time and this primarly the reason the mystery motif of Jesus exists in the Gospels, so if this is true, why fight for a kingdom that is not a kingdom?
This is where I believe the idea of whether or not Christians have a social responsibility apart from evangelism comes in,
(Yet this is a fabrication in terms because the true Christian will see his whole duty to mankind as summed up in the kerygma and all of his actions intrinsically linked with such). Christians are not to fight for any kingdom other than the one Jesus has/is building but we are to fight against the other kingdom that is being perpetuated in its midst. To what extent do we carry out this mission and to what does it apply. With that said, the real question is do christians have a role in society that isn't
specifically mandated in scripture?
First the things that do not fall under its banner, things like caring for the planet, feeding the hungry, and nurturing children. The reason that it doesn't apply to these matters is because the Bible clearly says that we are to do those things and if you are an uware of scriptural references of those charges I would gladly make them known to you. Many other things fall under this category, things like speaking out against injustice, calling evil - evil, and not allowing and disallowing individual liberties to to harm other people.
Some things do fall under this category, things like are we to be so involved with the conservation of the planet that we couple with non-christians in an effort to save it or is abortion such a big issue that we stop it at any means? And on a lighter note - should we vote? (In Case you're missing my train of thought this is what I am saying so far - Christians wonder what their role in this elections is, theylisten to a lot of people but what matters is what does the Bible say? The Bible is a book that was aware of and concerned with the notion that government plays a big part in this world and the world that God is building. The Bible is also a book that has a social element to it, but ultimately that social element is deeply rooted and impossible to be separated from proclomational evangelism. The bible is clear on some social issues but not as clear on other social issues. This is what I have said thus far)
Abortion should be an easy one to answer - we stop the killing of babies at any means necessary, save killing another in an effort to stop abortion. Voting should also be an easy one to answer, we have a social/biblical resposibility to influence society. Elected officials chart the way in which this society should be run. Now you can argue the case that real change is from individuals, that is, change yourself, change the world and there is much truth to this point of view. To this point of view people will say voting isn't important and knocking on my neighbors door to say hello, Jesus loves you, is the real method of influence. There is also much truth to the mentality that the bigger picture is just as important. In fact the reason you change yourself is to change those around you, no Christian can rightfully argue that he changes himself just so he can be better than those around him. So you should ask is voting a big picture in the bigger picture. In America the answer is yes, it is such a big part of our picture we have it penciled in something we call the Constitution of the United States. This document, framed from the idea that there is a God, gives us the principle by which our country is organized. Everyone sees voting as an important societal role and if you don't then anarchy is your rule of thumb and have a nice day. Here's proof positive - who wouldn't vote on issues of marriage, abortion, taxes, criminal law, decency issues, and the like. So if voting is an important issue, why is there question on whether or not a Christian should vote and the answer is that neither candidiate is seen as a messianic figure sent to save the United States, even though one has been called as such. And neither one should be for that matter, the president's job isn't to save me, it is to enforce national law as given in the constitution. He is the commander in chief of America's armed forces, he can sign things into law and veto other laws, he appoints advisors and judges, he pardons and he makes treaties.
So voting for the president is one person's decision to change the world on a smaller platform, and the rejection of voting is the rejection of one man makes a difference. When you vote you aren't just voting for a man, you are voting for a system, a way of thinking. When you vote for president you are voting for or against abortion, you are voting for against marriage as between one man and one woman, you are voting for capitalism or socialism, you are voting for locking up those who have broken laws with no regard or giving them a treatment that doesn't really focus on their condition, you are voting for freedom of speech or the suppression of it, you are voting for a lot of things other than the man when you vote for president. So you either vote for which candidate supports the issues that are critical to your philosophy of life or you don't vote, and prove what? You don't care? You're above the order of the United States? Unfortunately, in this noble pursuit a man is really voting for both, he is not voting for neither, (yes I know that's a double negative but couldn't think of any other way to say it).
A lot of things cloud the issues that presidential hopefuls stand for, but a reasonable man would ask do they cloud or make clear what the president is really about. Such as if a married President tells the American people that he is for the integrity of the office of the President, but has a young intern under his work desk giving him sexual favors it makes you wonder. On one side you got people say don't let his sexual life cloud his expertise of government, on the other people would say it is impossible to see his expertise in government without seeing the girl under the desk! Currently you got the same issues and questions in regard to Senators McCain and Obama. Regardless of who it is, when a man is running for a leadership position, the first thing you notice is his flaws and the reason is because all men are flawed. It shouldn't be a shocker that neither Obama or McCain isn't perfect so what you got to do in regards to character is ask yourself which one clouds my ability to see this man as President of the greatest country in the world.
In regards to which one is more suited for the job, make yourself aware of what the position entails and see which candidate is better suited. Here are the roles - protecting the constitution of the United States; do you believe the Constitution is living or are you an originalist? Commanding the Armed forces of the United States - which one is more experienced to act in this capacity, which one has a working knowledge of the US military. He is to sign treaties - which candidate has foreign policy experience that would give him the knowledge to do so. He is to veto laws and sign laws into effect - which candidate would do away with/enact the laws that matter the most to you. He is to do a lot of other presidential things and the major question in choosing the right candidate is which one will do what is right, not which one is a better picture of the job.
(Summary - Voting is a little way to make a big difference, it is your responsibility as a citizen of this country. Voting for the president is agreeing/disagreeing with many different things, not just the man because of the nature of the job of president. Not voting is giving a vote to both candidates, because someone will win. Character is important but NO man is perfect. When deciding a president you have to choose which one will do the right job according to the beliefs you hold most dear (not all beliefs because the only one who will fully agree with you is you), not which one is a better picture for the job.)
So here's the part I've been waiting for. From a Christian perspective I think McCain is the only choice. Is he the lesser of two evils? Yes, but the same case could be made for you as well. Here's the reason why - McCain is the only choice for commander in chief, he has experience, battle line experience and Obama has none, (and by the way the bible is in no way promotes pacifism, read Joshua and Revelation). McCain has been around the block a few years in matters of foreign policy, he's not the junior senator from Illinois and it is why the age factor matters. He is also a nationalist (moderate view not genocidal maniac view) which means he is concerned for America and the ideologies of America and will not let European influence dictate the direction of this country. It's why people get their panties in a wad when Obama is running around seeking the support of godless European nations. McCain is for capitalism, which means work and be rewarded - its a biblical thing, (not the greed associated with capitalism, (its a flawed system but better than communism and socialism) but that a man must work to eat). Anything else promotes lazy, stagnant, and enslaved people and a dictatorship - just check history. McCain is an originalist, he is tough on crime (which is the only way to go in a nation that has differing views of soul treatment), he is a lot of things that I believe matter to a well ordered system that makes Christianity possible, (not perfect, just possible, and again he ain't my Messiah, I just want to live in a country where it is possible to promote the Messiah).
Yet those aren't the main reasons why I'd vote for him, not even the top reasons, they are in fact the bottom. He has lots of flaws - his running mate should be home taking care of her children from a biblical perspective, he is border line liberal in some matters, and many other things but there are two issues that seal my view as a Christian everytime. Even though many liberal minded biblically unaware churches and "christians" would say they aren't that big they are the biggest issues that should govern your choice to vote as a Christian even if you disagreed with the candidate on everything but these two issues - abortion and marriage.
Here's the bottom line on abortion - Obama is a candidate strongly supporting pro-choice, McCain is a candidate strongly supporting the pro-life movment. Regardless of what the media has spun from him here is a quote from NARAL Pro-Choice America, (National Abortions Right Action League) one the most, if not the most, liberal organizations in support of murdering babies, "When it comes to the presidential candidates, the choice for pro-choice voters is clear. Obama has a 100% pro-choice record. McCain's record? 0%." McCain has a lower rating from NRLC than past republicans but he is fully endorsed by them, no questions. Obama is co-sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act and against care for born alive babies after a failed abortion. No sense going into full detail about this but which side of the coin the candidate is on is clear. Palin is so pro-life that she is against abortion even in the case of rape. Biden has a low rating from NARAL but as low as you can get from NRLC.
On homosexual marriages - he is against it, is in favor of California's prop 8, low rating from HRC. HRC says of McCain - opposes same sex marriage benefits, supports don;t ask don't tell policy, supports state ban on same sex marriages and civil unions betweens homosexuals, opposed adoption by same sex couples, opposes GLBT protection in workplace, supports the defense of marriage act. Their candidate of choice - Obama.
So enough on convincing you what side their on and on to the reason why these two issues should be the top issues for Christian voters even though many people think that saving a tree is more important than saving a baby, or gettin' paid is more important than defending the god given institution of marriage (sounds cliche and Focus on the Familyesque, but many people, including one of the top people from the supposed NAE agree with this line of thinking). The one thing that is a clear institution from God is the family. It was the first thing that God instituted and the first covenant he entered with man. The one thing that is a sure sign of a blessing from God is children. If the Church in America ceases to defend this, our society is doomed - yes I said doomed and the reason is because these are foundational issues to any society - a healthy view of family & marriage.
Fine you want to save sand flies in California by reducing the speed limits on intertstates that cross their natural habitat (true story), fine that you are against the war in Iraq because American kids are there - I am too, fine you want to make sure that every one has health care, but if you're a Christian, and believe that Christianity has a social agenda - how does that not start at the most innocent and important aspect of our society - our children. I'm talking to people who believe that life begins at conception so if you believe that then you believe the warnings that God has given in scripture for those who harm children, those who murder children, and even those who don't come to their aide.
Why is homosexual marriage a big deal? It redefines the norm that God has given. It says screw you Christian God, we want to do things our own way. It says that the god given norm isn't the only norm, and there is not only another way - there is a better way - no Christianity in matters of family.
Kill kids and redefine marriage - kill stability for the next generation coming up. Fight issues other than those and you tell your children that there are bigger issues to fight for than them. Allow homosexual marriages and you make marriage, which is religiously rooted in the big three religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism), the straw that broke the back of religion.
How can you tell your children that you fought for the stock market (when God says he'll take care of your needs) but you chose not to fight for the life of their religion and the stability of it that comes with marriage.
If you redraw the lines of marriage you redefine the lines of society and open up the gates of hell for untold evils to spill forth because God has clearly and unashamedly said that his plan for humanity includes a lasting relationship between one man and one woman, it is the most important issue. Family is the backbone of his will pre-fall and family is one of the backbones of his will in salvation history post fall.
You wanna attack Christianity and destroy it completely - make the break down of the family irrelevant in a christian society and watch morality die, watch children raped by the public schools, watch homosexuality be just the beginning for indecency, and watch the judgment of God fall ever so quickly on the American Church because she failed to protect the most innocent members of its society and let Godless people destroy the first covenant/institution because there were bigger issues.
Me, I'm voting for McCain, not because he's perfect, not because I am for the war in Iraq, not because I like Palin, not for any other reason than he is the most pro-life candidate available and because he is trying to sway society in the direction of a biblical norm in regards to marriage, and because he is, he makes Christianity possible - again not perfect, just possible.
(I must admit that because of the length of the article that the end of this wasn't as strong as I'd like because I started to get tired of writing, so I'm sure that I will rewrite or welcome input on why abortion and marriage is a big deal)
