On a friends facebook page, there has been a discussion on whether Fox News should be the voice of Christianity and if the Conservative Party really should be known as the Christian party. A few months ago (back in March I believe), I blogged about a Christian voice. I stated my concern with Beck and the Right Wing has been the blending of Christianity with Americanism--syncretism. One person who was in the discussion, assured me he is not blending his faith with his politics and went on to tell me I am in open rebellion because I have voted Democrat at times. I am not a party line voter. So yes, I vote democrat and republican and independent because no one party holds the Kingdom's voice. But I laugh, syncretism would not be as dangerous if it wasn't subtle and attractive to God's people.
It got me wondering though. Why are Christians so susceptible to someone using Christian-ese? Throw in God, faith, hope, charity, and suddenly, you are obviously a Christian and you deserve my vote. Speak against that candidate and Christians question your Christianity. Why are we so willing to sell the voice of God's Kingdom to one party? (I am aware that in some areas the one party is the democrats and in other areas it is the Republicans, and still now the Tea partiers.)In my opinion:
1. Its a power thing. We like to be in power. Get the Christian in the White House and in Congress. The only problem is: we have had this scenario. There have been plenty of times the "Christian Party" has been in power. Abortion remained legal under them. All of the "Christian values" they were voted in for, seemed to take a back seat. But we were in power and it was comfortable for us.
2. It is much easier to legislate morality than it is to do it Jesus' way. Oh, we are trying to save our country. Christ called us to be fishers of human beings. If we outlaw the "big sins" of abortion and homosexuality, we won't face the judgment. Or if we help the poor, we will not face judgment. But we weren't called to make Christian nations. We were called to make disciples of all nations. Disciples cannot be legislated into existence. But making disciples is a messy business. It means I have to get to know people personally who are different from me. I might find someone who has had an abortion or someone who is homosexual who loves Jesus with all their heart. I might hear a story which breaks my heart and my political agenda meets a real person whose life is broken. I might see Jesus in those broken people. And hear Christ's call to love them as they are. What would I do then?
Why do you think Christians want to have one party be the voice of the Kingdom?
Great post! You are right on both points.
ReplyDeleteChurch and politics are scary bedfellows, and I for one have become almost oppositional when I hear people throwing around Christian rhetoric in the political arena. All my warning bells sound, and I wonder what the politicians real agenda is that he wants to lure me in on "values" rather than proposed policy.
And on the other side, no you can't legislate morality. Attempts to do so are the ugliest times in church history. Christians have not only murdered those of other faiths, but other brethren in the Lord whose doctrine or politics were out of favor with those in power.
Nope, the founding fathers were wise to keep politics and religion out of each other's business.
Sorry this is so late in response.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one who hears the warning bells when politicians throw around Christian rhetoric.
I guess what I struggle with is --yes our government tries to keep politics and religion separate--but I am not suppose to be compartmentalized. As a Christian, my faith must inform all of my attitudes and decisions, how I vote. But I am not sure there is one way to vote as a Christian.