Christians & Politics - Asking The Right Question
55For the past three decades, professing Christians in this country
have been bombarded with information, speeches, advertisements, voter
registration drives, sermons and many other oddities imagined only in
the context of convincing a particular segment of the American
population of their duty to become involved in the American political
process. With the increasing number of influential religious leaders
committing their resources as well as the resources of the church or
organization they head into the political fray, loyal followers began
to march in step as others hesitated. It wasn't long before many were
posing the question, "Should a Christian be involved in politics?"
The debate, at times heated, tended to polarize those involved.
Further clouding the issue was the invoking of the sentiments of
certain Founding Fathers during the American Revolution. With quotes
in abundance, many were made to feel unpatriotic and ungodly if their
actions didn't meet the zealous standards set by our forefathers. The
success of their efforts and sacrifice depended upon the commitment of
those currently engaged in political battle. Upon those imposing
examples were heaped the religious fervor and zeal of churchgoing folk
during that momentous era. How could a person withstand such an assault
when God's approval was coupled with American national political
activity?
The answer to that lingering question lies in the fact that the wrong
question has been asked all this time. Instead of asking, "Should
Christians be involved in politics?", the question that people of God
should be asking is, "Which nation's politics should I be involved in?"
That is the real question for every Child of God to ask themselves.
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Thank you so much for your comments. They are greatly appeciated.
You make an interestng statement that I would like to address.
You state that you and your husband ask the same question in prayer. You then state what your "feelings" are related to that question. Are feelings to be our standard for determing our actions in this life? I ask the question not to denigrate your comment, motivation, or feelings, but to remind you that The Word of God is to be our standard for conduct in every area of our lives, even politics.
The truth is that the Word of God has been twisted by many to say things that God never intended. But we individually still retain the responsibility to study the Word for what it says, not what men and their traditions say.
I invite you to read more of what I have to say in other posts. I have more to come.
If you have a question, please pose that question. I very well could address the issue or question in a post, though it may not be immediate.
Once again. I appreciate your comments.
Blessings,
Ben
When I say 'feelings', what I mean is the answers we get from God in prayer and Bible reading. They are our convictions based on the Bible. I agree with you that our view on everything, including politics, should be solely based on the Bible. And that is how we go about living our lives. The Bible is the standard we should all live our lives by. You can really see how God's Holy Word has been twisted if you go to the forum and look under the title 'Religion'. So many there do not believe the Bible and make fun of it. It hurts very much to see my Lord and Savior to be talked about in that way. It's sad to me to see this nation in such a state that is it in today.
What I'm specifically referring to is what Jesus mentioned as "teaching as doctrine the commandments of men." And he was dealing with the religious leaders of his day.
Todays religious leaders many times do the same thing when it comes to how they handle the word of God. Half Truths can seem very convincing, sometimes, when couched in the right setting, but they remain only partial truth.
To me, these type of leaders do more damage to the cause of Christ than pagan and atheists because sincere people are following them.
Are you sad because of the condition of the nation of America or the nation of Christ? Or both?
Both. I know we as a nation are not what we should be and also as Christians as a whole, we are also not doing everything we should be doing for Him. I agree with you about the half-truths. The majority of people are like that. But a half-truth is also a lie. Like my husband tells our son, there is no half-truth, it's either truth or it's a lie. No gray areas. It's black and white. That's one of the reasons for homeschooling our son. We want him to know the white from the black. Public schools tend to teach alot of gray or even black here in our area. Most regular church going people are in church around 4 hours per week, yet the kids are in school about 35 or more hours per week. So, what gets taught on Sundays and Wednesdays etc vs Monday - Friday, they are getting more of the gray and black than the black vs white they can get being homeschooled. I know you see my point since you homeschool your children. We are convited to do what we do. And He will always bless when His children obey Him. It's almost impossible to find a political figure that stands for everything the Bible says. That is sad. I hate to see our children growing up in a nation with godless leaders. We are very prayerful about this upcoming election, which our church is also and I'm sure Christians around the country are. You are also right in that those leaders do more damage than someone who just outright tells you where he stands even when s/he is wrong. God says if you are lukewarm He will spew you out of His mouth. I never want to be lukewarm. And although I cannot judge a person's relationship with God, only God can do that, we can see the fruit they produce. So many accuse Christians of judging. But, I don't feel that I am judging, when a person says they are pro-choice. They are saying that and I know what the Bible says about that. Do you understand what I mean? I cannot ever support a person who is pro-choice. I pray for more Christian leaders to come forward and take positions in our country. We need that so badly. So, I guess to answer your question, I feel sad for both the USA and Christians everywhere because I don't feel we are doing enough and being strong enough in speaking out for Him. I include myself in that because I am human, but I do strive daily to be more Christ-like. It's so great to find other Christians on here. It's very encouraging to have people here to talk to that understands where we are coming from and what we are striving for.
I understand the encouragement factor. Sometimes it can be discouraging when it seems there no one else out there who agrees with you or understands you. Fellowship, even of the online variety, is still fellowship.
As far as the condition of this country, there are definitely reasons for this. For one, God's people refuse to live holy lives according to the clearly revealed Word. Secondly, when they refuse to hear God and His Word, they usually look elsewhere. In this case, the political realm will do nicely. So, they spend a huge amount of resources trying to reform the political mess that has always been there. And God says that when you refuse to follow His Laws, He will provide you "laws to not live by." That's exactly what we have been getting and will continue to get until we turn back to God. Sadly, the only thing they will reap is the same frustration they've experienced for the last four decades.
But, this repentance will probably not happen until the leaders start preaching the Word Of God as it is clearly stated in Scripture with no modifications, rationalizations, excuses, etc. There's a whole lot more gray being taught in Sunday Schools and other church activities than you think.
I do know what you are referring to when it comes to children and schooling. But I must confess one thing that is rather alarming. I have never had an unbeliever say anything negative about homeschooling my children. The resistance has come from Believers. And I don't mean just a little bit. Interestingly enough, I've never been given the opportunity to discuss the details of homeschooling with these Believers because they don't want to discuss it. They just desire to condemn me for not going along with the status quo.
So, I continue my walk with Christ, trusting Him to conform me to His image. And He is faithful!
Blessings,
Ben
allshookup 3 years ago
"Which nation's politics should I be involved in?" That is a question my husband and I ask ourselves and God in prayer. I feel we should be involved in the nation we live in = America. And we feel we need to be involved in the issues that effect us and our family because the same ones that effect us effect everyone. Our pastor preaches about these issues from the pulpit. Why? Because we, as Christians, have been sitting idly by and letting things be done/undone that we should have been involved in and have gotten stopped. Our nation is now suffering because we (Christians) have not been involved enough in politics. I hope that more and more Christians will be getting involved in politics. It's our responsiblity to do that. Also, I believe we should be interested in the politics of other countries and what they are doing because some of them effect us. We believe wholeheartedly that we should always stand with Israel at all times, no exceptions. Some issues that are close to my husband's and my hearts are: Abortion, teaching Creation as truth vs evolution in schools, protection of Americans being free to own and use firearms, being able to worship God freely as our forefathers fought for us to be able to do, taking sex education out of schools (only teaching abstenance in Health class. We feel strongly that sex education is the parents' responsiblity). Those are just some that we feel strong enough about that those issues are what we use to decide who will get our votes.