As Christians, I hope as we engage in this election season, we are doing so with a theological filter not with a political filter. How do we think through these issues when we are confronted with a dog's breakfast of options for our presidential considerations. In this election season, I don’t know of many excited Christian voters. I will as many, go to the polls with a clothespin on my nose and with the same excitement and anticipation I have changing one of my twin boy’s dirty dippers.
So, how do we biblically view this stinky decision we must make in November?
There are basically three schools of thought Within the Christian Evangelical Community.
- Vote the lesser of two evils (that has worked so well for us in the past).
- Don’t vote.
- Vote for a third party candidate.
I admit, as of this date, I have not sold out to one of these camps. As I will explain later, I have a hard time understanding how any Evangelical Christian has made a decision yet.
There are high-profile Christian leaders/theologians that are coming out with their view on this election season. I think it is their a attempt to help us wrangle with the terrible choices we have. Most recently, a high-profile Theologian, Wayne Grudem has stepped in the foray to give his opinion that voting for Donald Trump would be the moral option. He basically says that Donald Trump is a good candidate that has some flaws but voting for him is a morally good choice.
http://townhall.com/columnists/waynegrudem/2016/07/28/why-voting-for-donald-trump-is-a-morally-good-choice-n2199564
There have been a slew of other high-profile Evangelical leaders/theologians that have had the opposite view and in some cases have come out against Wayne Grudem’s View. Here is one of them from the Gospel Colaition:
https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/evangelical-history/2016/08/02/wayne-grudem-evangelicals-and-the-trump-option/
Here are a couple of others weighing in with their views this election season:
https://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2016/07/albert-mohler-russell-moore-donald-trump-christians-voting/
One thing that I see that is instructive for us a head line
As I was I reading while gathering my thoughts for this blog I found a head-line that was labeled:
“Christian leaders blast Wayne Grudem for his defense of Donald Trump as a morally good choice.”
I highlight the word blast because that is one thing in this political season with Evangelical Christians that appears to be going on more than anything... a lot of blasting!
Last time I checked on non-essential issues, Christians could come to different conclusions on some things. It doesn't mean that our debates aren't spirited, but we must move forward in dialogue with love for our brothers and sisters. This election decision is not an issue of separation or division. Quite simply this is just an issue of a difference of opinion. If we cannot disagree agreeably over this issue we are in big trouble! Let's get back to what this really is about. This is a presidential election, and while I understand the significance of politics, I also understand Christians have made politics more significant.
Is politics an issue we ignore as if there are no consequences involved in this realm?
The answer quite clearly is: No!
Does it mean that Christians isolate themselves and do not engage in the political sphere?
Again the answer should be: No!
Doesn't mean that we don't vote?
No!
But all of this does mean that Christians must realize that this is a government institution ordained by God for one purpose:
(Over-simplification warning...lol)
The protection of people. This is accomplished by punishing the bad guys so that we can go about our business as we see fit.
As Christians we recognize an out-of-control government can violate this biblical precept.
Are there consequences to a bad president? We recently have 8 years of proof! So Yes, there are consequences!
So back to the point I was trying to make with this blog...
If Donald Trump is elected, if Hillary Clinton is elected, or if Gary Johnson is elected:
1.) There will be no change in anyone's Eternal destiny.
2.) It will not change whether your children will love Jesus
3.) it will not ultimately earn you more crowns!
To be clear... government is a temporal institution.
There is one King who has granted authority to governments, both good and bad, on this Earth until this King Jesus returns and conquers, crushes, consummates and then makes perfect again that which is totally corrupt... Forever!
We must not forget this perspective. But I fear too many of us have lost our balance on this issue as I read the posts on social media.
We need to ask ourselves the question; “Why would I get so upset when somebody disagrees with me?” I think the reason is... that I care a lot about the issue. When it comes to politics, Evangelical Christians, in particular, care-a-lot!
If you're reading this blog now, you need to examine your heart, as I need to examine my heart. We need to figure out if we're getting overly worked up by other believers and their opinions about what to do in this election.
Let this guide us in regaining our perspective in the realm of government , its role, its limitations and it's value.
Is our focus on eternal things? This is precisely what we are to be thinking about. As we refocus on eternal things this is where our treasure will be because that is where our heart is! If we are so worked up about an election and we lose our focus and energy towards souls, we are in big trouble. Doesn't matter who wins the election.
If and when as Christians we do this, we will get consternated about the right things!
Like...
False teaching ....people that pervert the gospel.
And...
Bad theology that permeates Evangelical Christianity largely as a result of the New Apostolic Reformation.
http://africannewsupdates.com/2016/07/13/prophet-sets-21-church-members-fire-trying-demonstrate-shadrach-meshach-abednego/
The one thing I will say to Evangelical Christians about this election:
If you have already made up your mind about this election, you are wrong. I firmly believe that we should be kicking and screaming all the way to the voting booth this election cycle. I don't believe Christians should have come to a firm conclusion already. And I am worried if they have.As I have stated, I do believe that Christians can come to different conclusions on what to do, but if anything has manifested thus far... it is how much a rift there is within the Evangelical community over what we should do in this election. This is exactly why I think we need to take a step back, refocus, and not be so firm in our voting convictions that we are divisive on this issue.
And if you want to disregard everything I said in this blog, know one thing, if you are proselytizing Trump more than you are proselytizing the gospel, there is something wrong! Please repent and get back to the business the Lord has given us.
Many blessings in Christ Jesus,
The Systematic Maniac
