POLITICS

First of all, I do not intend to endorse any candidate or position.  I just want to express my opinion, beliefs and a couple of thoughts about the political process, church involvement, and its relation to the upcoming elections.

If we look at the history of American elections, especially Presidential elections, there is one real familiar result.  Except for Washington's two elections, all campaigns have been dirty and sleazy.  For instance, in the election of 1796 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the candidates and their supporters were both uttering statements that were treasonous.  The difference today, we have so much more media, television, websites, blogs etc. all examining every statement, every action in minute detail and then putting their own spin on it.

What would I like to see?  I would really like to know what a candidate stands for, not glittering generalities, but actual specific stands.  Also how a candidate expects to accomplish their platform. We hear candidates promising they will do this and that, abolish this, but a candidate is not acting in isolation.  A President needs Congressional approval, a Congress person needs the President.   Even when the President and a majority of Congress are from the same party they do not always agree.  What does a candidate stand for, how are they going to achieve their goals?  That is what I want to know.  But it is so much easier to tear the other candidate down, to attach labels and unfortunately that seems to be what the voting public wants to hear. As citizens we want the easy way.  We listen and believe the smears and labels, we do not do the research, or worse, if the truth is unpleasant we do not want to hear it.

Okay, enough political rant, what should the church do?  Jesus said to Pilot at his "trial" "My kingdom is not of this world" John18:36.  At an earlier time he said "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" Matthew 17:21.  Paul urges Christians to submit to the government and to pray for the rulers Romans 13:1-6.  Keep in mind the Roman Emperor was Nero, not a nice man.  So, should the church play any role in politics?

I believe everyone in the church is entitled to their own political opinion, whether they are the pastor, a teacher, an elder, or a member.  I do not believe anyone in the church should advocate from their position.  If a pastor wants to campaign for a candidate fine, but not from the pulpit.  A teacher can campaign for a candidate, but not from the classroom.   What should the church campaign for?  The Bible.  If we as Christians are knowledgeable about scripture we will use that knowledge to decide what candidate, and especially what issue to support.  Will we always agree?  No, we debate, discuss and then vote our conscious.

Greg Boyd, a St. Paul pastor of a mega church said he lost almost half his congregation because he refused to endorse the "correct candidate" he refused to endorse anyone.  He taught the Bible, and its doctrine.  I feel, believe, that should be the correct policy of the church.  Everyone makes their own decision.  The church should teach the Bible, God's word and how it applies to us.  We as church members should listen, examine, take to heart the message, and prayerfully make our decisions.  Vote?  Yes,as citizens of this country we should take part in the political process.  As Christians we should make our decisions using the  Bible, prayer, discussion, and our God given intelligence.

Make your own decisions using God's word as your, my, guide.  I have had many discussions about politics with other members, we do not always agree, but we listen to each other and we come away more informed. That is the way it should be.
Lee Saffell