Politics or the Bible - Not Both
As a believing follower of Jesus Christ I am astounded, simply astounded, at how many professing believers are publicly backing Newt Gingrich. Now in full disclosure I am a non-participant in the political process so I do not have a “dog in this fight” but I cannot help but see some incredible things as this election year goes forward.
For many years the Republican party has given lip service to the abortion issue, even though men like Rick Santorum have always spoken much more passionately due primarily to the Roman Catholic Churche's obsession with abortion. So that issue is somewhat moot since it isn’t going to change. But how can a believer endorse someone who has proven he has no fidelity at all? Of course there is forgiveness but that is between him and God, but regardless how intelligent he thinks he is or how clever he is as a debater, that man should not be a leader.
The Scriptures give some pretty high standards for being an elder. So do you not think that the principle of high standards should carry over into politics, especially if you believe God is in politics? (I disagree) But it has been absolutely breathtaking to see believers who believe in moral issues completely ignore a man’s open pattern of infidelity and deception. But as I listened to preachers defend their support I realized it was based primarily on issues of national security and economics.
Of course both Gingrich and Romney complain about the governments “attack” on religion and matters of faith. I guess these verses don’t mean what they say?
Matt.5:10-12 - Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Don't worry, the evangelicals whine every bit as much. The entire narrative of the Christian faith seems to indicate no free ride, and in fact, persecution should be expected. But this is politics. People get heartburn because Romney is a Mormon but they can easily elect a serial philanderer? Strange days indeed. Adultery no longer carries the moral weight it once did. And because there is not one evangelical in the race believers are forced to choose the lesser of many evils. If it wasn’t so sad it would almost be comical!
It is most unusual to see evangelicals take up sides with the Roman Catholic Church. I guess these verses are just poetic philosophy?
II Cor.6:14-17 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
But the fallen world beats the political drum and those who profess to follow Jesus dance to their beat. And in the process believers by the millions are yoked with unbelievers along the way and while ignoring commands to the contrary and their gospel calling, they participate in and support a fallen process that is as humanistic as New Age crystals. But the crystals do not have something politics thrives on: an obscene and nauseating amount of money wasted upon manipulating people and castigating your opponents.
I guess it's only going to get better/worse. I can only hope for a brokered convention because if that happens all the divisive and personal attack rhetoric will seem innocuous compared to the wheeling and dealing of a brokered convention. I will have my popcorn ready. But I must admit, even though I get a fleshly thrill at watching such utter nonsense, I still grieve when I see professing believers and preachers being interviewed on the convention floor and in the midst of a carnal circus.
Stay tuned.
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As a non-participant in the U.S. electoral process, I am just an observer, because as a christian believer, I just can't believe what my eyes have seen these past few years.
The exploitation of the gospel to influence voters - by politicians; the pharisee-ical tv networks that claim they stand for truth, while bashing others. Wealthy professed christian voices inserting their agendas on talk shows and endorsing candidates. It is a circus. But a sad one.
I remember once my pastor speaking about leaders who go astray. How they repent and receive God's forgiveness - and how it would be wise for them to discontinue in leadership. If they truly are repentent, they'll stay out of the scrutiny of the public and lead a private humble life, devoted to serving others without fanfare. But there seems to be no shame anymore.
A candidate can offend and offend, and instead of retreating to a life devoted to one wife, one family, they go all out and feel entitled to hold public office and preach to others on how others must live. This doesn't work. I agree, I don't see how believing church leaders are asking believing members to support such politicians. By doing that, they are placing a King on the throne that they imply is their candidate of righteousness, who carries the banner of the cross.
And what's up is down, what's down is up, white is black, and so forth. There is a scale on the eyes right now. What is good they call evil and what is evil they call good.
Again, I'm not involved in the process. But what I've observed since 2008 is this: The sitting President, who in my view, has acted professionally, gracefully, and moderately, has been continually verbally clobbered, not just by political opponents, but by CHRISTIANS. He has never promised a Kingdom on earth, has not exploited the gospel during his campaign for the christian base. He has campaigned as a secular candidate hoping to be successful in a very secular job.
It grieves me when I hear professed christians call others the "anti-Christ". It also grieves me when a sitting President at a prayer breakfast is prayed for and takes a verse from the bible, to edify the group, in encouraging the group to try to be good stewards of what they have been given, and that act gets distorted and misinterpreted by said professed christians to undermine that man. When Jesus' disciples were offended by a man who casting out demons in Jesus Name, yet who wasn't a part of their group brought him up to Jesus, didn't Jesus say, "For he who is not against us is on our side".
So these professed christian critics are the same ones who endorse christian candidates who USED their gospel message to gain - power, votes, and donations.
It's evident that we are living in the times where evil is called good and good is called evil.
It is unseemly.
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