November 10, 2006

Thoughts on the Elections

Being a missionary in a foreign country means watching US politics from afar, which provides an interesting perspective. I was very interested--and not a little saddened--by the results of the midterm elections. I understand that sweeps such as this are not uncommon historically. Nevertheless I am concerned that this represents a further shift away from a biblical worldview in my home country.

My internet was out all day Wednesday, so I only found out about the full scope of events later on through the Brazilian news reports on TV. That morning, however, as I had my devotions in a little cafe near the university where Itacyara studies, I came across the following passage from Jeremiah 25:

Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them." (ESV)

As I observe the US from afar, it seems to be a culture that is "staggering and crazed". There are obvious steps which should be taken, but nobody wants to take them. They are lurching towards oblivion...and are oblivious.

In discussing the election results with one of our older Brazilian pastors, he asked me why, in his many years of association with missionaries, he had never met one who was a Democrat. I tried to explain the socio-economic reasons for this phenomenon, and he seemed satisfied with my explanation. Later on, in relating the conversation to one of our missionaries, he gave the following answer: "It's because we're Christians."

As I reflected on that answer, I realized that it was not entirely wrong. Christians--at least ones who think biblically--rightly view abortion as the modern holocaust. We view homosexuality as a perversion--and special rights for homosexuals as absurd. Whether or not we are dispensationalist, we understand the special place Israel has in God's plan. We believe in the sound financial principles set forth in Scripture. We realize that civilization will ultimately collapse without a strong foundation--and we know that the strongest possible foundation is the Word of God, as proclaimed in churches throughout the land. In the Scriptures we read of the depravity of man, and the role of government in counteracting said depravity. We see the church and the family as the fundamental agencies for effecting positive social change.

For these reasons, most thinking believers are conservatives. And most conservatives align themselves with the Republican pary--the party of Lincoln.

This is not to say that the Republican party is essentially Christian. Or that to be a good Christian, one must be a Republican. I am just making an analysis of why the cars of the much-maligned "religious right" are much more apt to sport a bumper-sticker featuring an elephant than one featuring a donkey.

One of the dangers of this alignment--I feel--is that many Christians spend way too much time being Republicans, and far too little time being Christians. As I mentioned in my comments on the Ted Haggard scandal (which, quite interestingly, has disappeared from the headlines since the election), we as believers need to focus much more on developing holiness in our own lives, and in preaching the Word in every possible way and in every possible venue. This is what Christ called being "salt" and "light", and must be our first and foremost priority.

This will effect the way we--and ultimately, others--vote.

Posted by Andrew on November 10, 2006 6:46 AM.