My friend Sam recently posted his thoughts on politics on his blog Static Truth. Check out his article here. With politics on my mind lately, I felt the need to do the same, so I share these thoughts, hoping they are of help to someone else.
My Political Manifesto
Scripture:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
From "It Is Well with My Soul" by Horatio Spafford
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
From "It Is Well with My Soul" by Horatio Spafford
I have never been active in the political world. I grew up with one side of my family on the political right and the other on the political left. With opinionated people on both sides of my family, it is easy for me to get frustrated with politics. When asked about my political views, I generally avoid siding with either of the two major groups and say something on the fringe like "libertarian," "individualist," or even "anarchist." I once even told someone I was with the Green Party.
It seems that no matter who is in office the time, there are generally three groups of people. One group thinks that the president is a messiah who is going to save the world. At the same time, another group of people thinks that the current government is going to usher in the apocalypse. The fence straddlers like me just seem to float on through.
I find it interesting how faith affects the political views of different people. Two Christians can look to their faith for answers and end up on completely different ends of the political spectrum. With the many issues involved, from the sanctity of life to social justice, this is understandable. When I went on my first mission trip in college, my campus minister got into a heated political discussion with our liaison in the ministry with which we were working. One was on the left because of her faith, and the other was on the right because of his faith.
People on the right and on the left can be quite passionate about politics. I would like to ask, as Christians, how much should politics matter to us?
If we look at the history of Israel in the Bible, we can see that the Israelites found themselves in numerous different political situations. When the Israelites received the Law and with it the call to be God's people in the world, they were nomads in the desert, seeking the promised land. They would go on to settle Canaan and, after years of struggle, establish themselves as an independent nation. Under the reign of King Solomon, the Israelites built the Holy Temple and even became a political superpower. 1
Corruption caused the nation to split into two. 2 Both nations were eventually conquered, and the Israelites were taken into exile. Even in exile, their call to represent God never changed. The Book of Daniel contains wonderful stories of people who stayed true to their calling and of how God's hand of protection was upon them. Later on, the Israelites were allowed to return home, to rebuild, and to rededicate themselves to God. For the rest of their Biblical history, they would be subject to foreign empires, some more benevolent than others.
In the Bible, we see Israel as tribes of nomads, as an independent nation, as a superpower, as a group of exiles, and as a province of an empire. In each of these situations, the Israelites were always the Chosen People of God, and their call to represent God in the world never changed.
Politics change; nations and governments change; but the things that truly matter never change. No matter who is in office and no matter what kind of regime rules this nation, I know that my Father is the Lord Almighty, that my family is the community of faith, that my citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, and that my calling is to show God's love to others. Furthermore, I know "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation" will ever change these things.
I am not trying to promote political apathy. Our elected officials deal with many different issues, and their decisions affect many people. Whether you find yourself on the left, on the right, or somewhere in between, if your love for others leads you to political activism, then please follow your convictions. At the same time, realize that whether or not things end up the way you believe they should, our relationships to God and to others should never change.
Perhaps the government will never fix the health care system. Even so, we are still called to come together and bear each other's burdens. Perhaps someday we will find ourselves under a fascist regime with no regard for civil rights. Even so, we are still free from sin and guilt in Jesus Christ. Christ calls us to inner peace, even in the midst of "wars and rumours of wars." 3
Politics and nations change, but God never changes. Whatever your political views and whatever type of nation you find yourself in, may God's unchanging love give your heart peace.
Notes:
3 - Matthew 24:6
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