Editor's Note: We realize that during this election year it is hard to escape the onslaught of political commentary. The purpose of our blog is not to push politics (although politics is one of Arthur's passions and he loves to discuss it with anyone and everyone.) However we have decided in light of recent events to share our thoughts and concerns. We know that many who read this many not share our political viewpoints, which is fine. This subject is something that Arthur (and Alex) feel strongly about and if we are sharing our lives through this blog we should share the tough stuff we are wrestling and discussing. This political post is a 1 time deal (Arthur is allowed one political rant post on this blog each year). What that being said, here we go:
Let's get one thing straight from the beginning: Philippians 4:13 does not mean that Christ will enable me to do anything I want no more than Romans 16:16 mandates that we kiss one another during our church meet and greet. In high school athletics, we sometimes treated Philippians 4:13 as proof positive that victory was within our grasp, but it is clear now that we were abusing the text. It is no light thing to use God's word as a tool to manipulate or coerce, but I see many examples of it done by the very people we venerate as Christian leaders. Each instance is abominable, but I want to focus on the use of the Bible to justify political stances.
In the same way Philippians 4:13 has often been misrepresented, I am confident that Romans 13 is not an example of the Bible prescribing a government whose sole function is the protection of its citizenry. Perhaps that should be the sole function, perhaps not, but that passage teaches submission to the governing authorities and not Pauline political theory, and yet I know people who would scream about the misuse of Scripture in Joel Osteen's prosperity gospel who would swallow that argument wholesale.
Instead of God's Word transforming us, we have busily set about transforming God's Word; "On the sixth day, God created man in his own image. Man has been trying to return the favor ever since." We have claimed the title Christian, therefore our preferences must be Christian as well. For a variety of fascinating historical reasons, a large section of the evangelical movement tend to align with the Republican party, and while we can quibble over how much evangelicalism shaped the conservative movement or vise versa, the historic link between the two is undeniable.
In an unprecedented example of the Republican party shaping the values of Christians, evangelicals this primary season are one of the most consistent backers of a man who has made fortunes exploiting gamblers in his casinos and women in his clubs. Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, recently tweeted a photo of himself with Trump with both showing the thumbs up sign, a picture of Trump on the cover of Playboy on the wall behind them. It is clear from Trump's numerous speeches that he sees vast swatches of his fellow man as beneath him; denying the divine image endowed by a Glorious Creator.
I am livid. Let's make this perfectly clear: the worst possible thing that can happen for the health of the American church is for Donald J. Trump to become its standard bearer. Hillary Clinton couldn't do that sort of damage. Assuming for a second that she is devising all sorts of persecutions for the church, which I highly doubt, if the church lives out its function then people will look on its suffering and praise God in the day of visitation, as Peter writes. Tie our identity up with a man like Trump, win or loose, the justified contempt of the world will not reflect well upon the Kingdom of God, which, we should note, is not the United States of America. It is to that Kingdom that our allegiance must lie.
Religious freedom is a huge issue, but we must not chase after a man who wants to prioritize the rights of one group over another, even if that group is ours. Demographically, we will not likely be the majority religion in the United States by the end of my lifetime, so we better start setting a precedent for how the majority religion wields power in our society. As Teddy Roosevelt said, "A man who will steal for me is just as likely to steal from me."
Particularly, if you are worried about radical Islam, don't venerate a man who treats women like objects the same way particular factions of Islam do. Educated women treated as co-heirs in Christ will do more to combat radical Islam than any immigration policy that denies the divine image in the most impoverished and needy, the very people Christ speaks of as the "least of these."
Maybe you can't support Clinton, fine. But no one was requiring evangelical leaders to find some way to justify support for Trump. Consider this hypothetical situation: Trump is running as a Democrat (because let's face it, he policies would allow for that) against a Republican Laura Bush, who has a resume identical to Clinton's. Bush's approval ratings among Republicans (and evangelicals) would top 80%, and Christian radio would be exploding with criticisms for the godless Trump and the debauched party he represents.
I feel deep shame for the actions of the Body right now. This is not abstract, this is not difficult to read. Don't shut down your critical reasoning just because someone delivers a Bible quote. You cannot gauge if people really love Jesus by their preferred fiscal policy or political theory. One's devotion to Jesus does form a worldview best described by Lewis:
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics."
Remember your allegiance to Christ and forsake all others, including the GOP if the path of Christ leads that way. Never forget God's love for all people and his sacrifice, and let us love one another the same way, so that it may be truly said, Omnia Vincit Amor.
No comments:
Post a Comment