Preaching in a Time of Politics
Mark Galli, one of the ever increasing evangelical trumpeters for the ancient-future faith, has the voice of reason at this time of political season.
He speaks to pastors in his article "Tempted by Politics":
Do you want to be politically relevant? Then gather
your people together each Sunday and lead them to worship the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords. Remind your people through hymns and prayers
and proclamation that there is a Leader who can do something more
significant for the nation than protecting their investments or
providing cheap health insurance.Gather your people not as Christian Democrats or
Christian Republicans, not as members of the religious Left or
Religious Right, not as evangelicals for the environment or
fundamentalists for business — but simply as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Remind them of the most basic truths, like this one: If "the nations
are like a drop in a bucket, they are regarded as dust on the scales"
(Isa. 40:15), how much more their elections?
Amen. May we look to the Kingdom, and not to the "democracy" as our hope for a bright, bright future.
If as a Christian you do not do the same thing Nov. 5th as we have done on Nov. 3rd and Nov. 4th you are mistaken. God is providence, he holds the world in his hand. As Paul encouraged us by saying "do not worry about tomorrow," we too should not be thinking about what tomorrow will bring, because how ever much we like to think "We, the people" we are nothing without God, as a nation, and more importantly, as a Kingdom that supersedes allnations. Remember, those of you who put so much stock in American politics, that every nation will bow to the coming king. Even America.
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This is a great post. What Jesus was telling his amazed followers–and what Paul keeps saying when he proclaims Jesus Lord–is that the state is NOT lord, and to call ourselves American before we call ourselves Christian may be cultural, but it’s certainly not spiritual.
What you posted is all true, but we are also called to do what is right in God’s eyes today. We are called to support the morality and freedom we have through Jesus Christ and the scriptures. This means that we have a resposiblility as Jesus followers to be good citizens. It has become more and more apparent to me how “Good Citizens” can be defined very differently. I find the one side says: “Too be a good citizen you must do as I say” and the other side says the same thing. This is true in politics and it seems to be true in the mind-set of some evangelicals today. Freedom does not mean coercion, but giving of our time, talent and treasure willingly. If someone feels that stewardship of these resources are not directed properly, well that may make me sad, but my only judge is Jesus. And morality too can only be based on God’s Word. If God calls me to take a stand on certain issues, but calls you to take a stand on other issues this does not mean either of us is wrong. We are all parts of one body and God uses us differently, based off of the personality and talents He has given us.
Also, I find this passage to be a proclamation that is personal. Paul is saying that we must not worry personally for ourselves. In other parts of the scripture we find Paul concerned about the different churches he has seen start up, but he does not have that same concern about himself. He is content whether having plenty or little, whether free or in prison.
I do not worry about tomorrow for myself but I am concerned about what tomorrow will bring for my children and grandchildren. I will do what I can, with my voice and my vote, to be the best citizen I can be today.