Religion, Politics, and Why I Stopped Voting Out of Force

There's been a lot of talk the past few days over people's political views. And for the past few years everyone's been up in arms about political stances, so I figured I'd try to either find common ground or take out all of the trash. So let me start out with a few disclosures

1. Our politics and doctrine should mix. I don't think these are two separate entities. However, I think our doctrine should impact our politics, not vice versa.

2. I'm going to use Scripture. A lot of people want to throw Scripture out and never use it when they have a political discussion. And since I believe that Scripture isn't just our highest authority, but is our final authority, I will appeal to it quite a bit.

3. I'm going to be very Lutheresque this time so if you think this will be too much, just stop reading now.

We often want to get hung up on the issues or positions of politics and never want to let the Gospel affect them. If you were like me, your parents probably raised you to be good, sweet, wholesome, Conservative kids. And if you are like me, you eventually went and sought to form your own views and opinions. I pray that when it comes to your political convictions, you seek out the counsel of Scripture and the influence of the Holy Spirit.

And let me be very clear: I don't consider myself a Republican or a Democrat. I'm consistently independent, though I lean right. I think it's important every election cycle to prayerfully consider the options and vote for whom you think God will place in office.

But there are some who would say otherwise.

To some people, to vote a certain way is the unpardonable sin. To some people, a vote for Barrack Obama would be a vote for the ruin of our society. A vote for ANY Democrat is to want and desire the kill infants across America. That Christ would look at our voting record at the Great White Throne and say, "Well you had faith in me, served me, loved me, delighted in me. But darn it, you didn't vote GOP back in 2012. I just can't have you enter the Kingdom."

Now let's be really smart here. There is not one shred of evidence for that line of thinking in Scripture. No not one. I don't think that just because most Democrats support gay marriage and abortion rights that the whole lot of them are hell bound sinners, nor are those who vote for them.

Do I disagree? Yes. Should we fight for the rights of a child to be born? With everything within us! But to vote for them is not a sin that will cost you eternity. We've bought into a bunch of papal bull that says "Christians are Conservatives, Liberals are Heathens." What kind of Pharisaical crap is that? "Jesus wants you to come to him, only if you're going to change how you vote." Scripture to back that thought up? I posted it under this paragraph



The funny thing that I've found is that many on the Christian right have a pre-mill theology but want a post-mil society....by force. Think about that for just a second. Who has the greater imperative to place Christians in office: the guy who thinks society will eventually get worse and worse or the guy seeking to press the Gospel to the ends of the Earth? But most Christian Right thinkers want to go to war with anyone who even looks at us (or Israel) in anything other than the most possible amount of respect. I just want to watch the Gospel take root and grow.

But here's the thing we really need to grasp: No one, Republican, Democrat, or Ron Paul will save this country. Our government is run by fallen humans, and will continue to remain broken until Christ returns. We can fix the country and our government about as much as a dead man can get out of his grave.

But how should we as Christians react to the government? I think there a several things for us to see that dictate our view on government.

1. Government and the governors are dictated by God for God. 

Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
(Daniel 2:20-21 ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
(Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

This is pretty clear cut but I'll explain it for the sake of those who don't like the idea.

God has ordained government for His own sake. He places people in authority as He sees fit. I don't just believe in a God who sees what will come to pass. I believe He dictates it.

remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
(Isaiah 46:9; Isaiah 46:10-11 ESV)

 "But Jay, that means that I'm just a big ole puppet. I don't have any say in the matter. I don't want to worship a God who won't let me have any say in the matter."

 A God who bows to human desires is not worthy to be called "God" at all. So let me be really clear. Whoever is placed into a position of office has been placed there by God. Is there anything that happens that God has not wanted to? Anything? Can YHWH be thwarted by His creation? Why then do we think that our vote thwarts the plan of God? That when we go to the ballot boxes God is not sovereign over them? How small a God that is; who does not decide how things operate.

That impacts the second point

 2. Because those in power have been placed by God for God, we should respect and submit to them.

This does not mean we have to agree and support them. I do not agree with Obama on much of anything. I do not support his campaign for reelection. But, I do respect him. I gladly and humbly submit to the authority God has placed me under. And I think that we should all do this.

 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
(1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)

 Notice that twice Peter spoke about submitting to and honoring the national authority. Those whom God has placed into such a position are due our respect and humility, not our scorn.

 Remember when we were all up in arms when people slammed Bush, called him a moron and a selfish greedy jerk? Someone who just wanted to step on the rich? Remember how frustrated we got when people wanted to just spit on him, curse him, and pleaded that we get rid of him? How are we any different in this administration? The roles have just reversed, and we think that we are doing the Lord's work. But if we are to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s" does that just stop with money, or does that have to bleed down into respect and submission?

 At the end of the day, we must remember that we are not American's, we are citizens of an eternal city. Our King will return to make all things right. But until then; we must respect the secular authorities.

I'll leave you with what one friend said in a discussion:

 "Thankful that nothing slips through God's great sovereign plan for His people. He truly knows what's best for the day He soon makes all things new and perfect. Whether it is someone that's easy to "accept" or "support" or someone who is not and thus calls us to continue in His obedience to submit in an even greater way. Get over the religious jargon and the fact we think Jesus might be a southern republican and chase after Christ and obey. Love each other and point them to Jesus and the Gospel.. Not to yourself and not to or away from others. "

 SDG