Christians and Politics

Where do we draw the line in political disagreements?  For instance, there are those in conservative political circles today who make comments such as "the Kenyan in Chief" and "the African in the White House."  While I will put aside the arguments people make in regards to whether these comments are racist, (I personally think people who utilize arguments like this intend certain racist implications) I do think Christians need to think about whether such comments should ever be heard coming across our lips, or seen coming across our keyboards.  Regardless of whether you support or dislike any leader or President, don't you have a Scriptural command to submit to his authority as leader and to show him the respect due him as the one God has placed in charge of the country? (Romans 13:1-7, pay special attention to verse 7, "Respect to whom respect is owed.")  Christians do not have the freedom to say whatever we like, we have an obligation to obey Scripture in regards to the words that come out of our mouths.

James says that the tongue can set things on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. (James 3:6)  What did he mean by that?  Simple, our hearts are not pure.  Christ says that from the abundance of a man's heart he will speak. (Matthew 12:34)  Therefore, recognizing that we are undergoing sanctification, even while we are not yet perfect, we must be slow to speak.  Our hearts are still idol factories, as Calvin put it, and therefore they are prone to lead us to speak devilish words as devilish idols fill them, unless we take the time to first bridle them with by the power of the Spirit of God.

Speaking hastily and disrespectfully of our leaders leads to our disgrace.  Those who we might have had the opportunity to speak the gospel to are turned away because we are so busy denigrating the President, that we do not realize they still hold him in respect.  Even if they do not hold him in respect, they may still think that the office of President is such that it is worth respecting, regardless of the one who sits in the chair.  Is our personal animus or anger toward any individual worth losing the opportunity to speak to someone about Christ?  (Yes, I think this admonition should apply to those currently in the position, and those who previously held the position.  Are we any more justified in calling Bush an idiot than we are in calling Obama a traitor?)

In addition to this, our words demonstrate that we do not trust the sovereign God who establishes all authorities.  In Ephesians chapter 1 we read that Christ has been placed high above all authorities and has all things under his feet.  Is the American electoral system then able to thwart the will of God?  Can we possible vote into office someone who God did not intend so that his will is not being accomplished?

Some may say, in response to all this, "Does that mean that we should support the anti-Christ when he appears?"  We ought to always pray for all of our leaders.  Scripture does not give us any indication that there is anyone we ought to exempt from our prayers.  Likewise, if the anti-Christ has authority over us, then in every way that we are permitted to do so from Scripture, yes, we should submit to him (that is, in every way that we can obey him without disobeying God, we would be required to render obedience).  This does not mean we submit to him in everything, it does not mean that we agree with him at all, but it does mean that we recognize that God has given him authority for a time, and we must submit to God's good will in recognizing whatever authority he has put in place.

Consider the relationship of Pharaoh and the Israelites.  Could God have commanded Moses, "take your people and flee, do not regard Pharaoh as having any authority!"  He could have, but he says that he raised Pharaoh up for the very purpose of displaying his might.  God wanted that Pharaoh (whichever he was) to have authority at that time so that the Lord could demonstrate his might over all things in bringing Israel out of Egypt.  If we are spiritually Israel, then why should we assume that God would never want to do the same with us?

Note also that in Revelation it is said that those who overcome do so through not loving their lives.  They overcame him by the blood of the lamb.  The martyrs in heaven, who die for the faith, they are the victors.  It is not the "Christian rebel" here on earth who overthrows a government through weaponry and violence who is given accolades in the throne room of heaven.  It is the one who is faithful to Christ, who shares the witness of Christ, and who dies honoring God who is seen as victorious.  (As I spoke with another brother about, this does not mean that men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who tried to assassinate Hitler, we wrong in using violence in their situations.  I think the particularly situation in that place and time was such that Bonhoeffer did what he thought was the most moral thing he could because of the horror of the reality he was faced with.  And I think he was right.  But such situations are so far from the norm that giving justice to such considerations would require a whole other blog post.)

Politics is important.  God has given Americans a way by which the average person may exercise some level of authority in how we are governed.  We should never take that for granted or say, "I won't vote because I trust God will cause the person he wants to be elected."  Such a fatalist position is never encouraged or defended in Scripture.  But, at the same time, our words ought not be offensive when we speak of political opponents.  More important than any election is the kingdom of God and spreading the gospel here on earth, and we must watch our tongues to that end.

What is the value in calling the President an impostor or a fraud?  Why only insult or denigrate, when there is opportunity to build up?  Remember, we are called to be people of encouragement, not people of discouragement.  There are appropriate ways, and times, for making your disagreements with a particular politician or position known.  But, is it worth it to damage your witness and lose the opportunity to represent Christ just for the sake of blowing off some steam?  Let us act wisely in regards to what we say and how we say it, particularly in regards to such a divisive topic as politics.