Dear Trekker,
Politics and faith intersect most emphatically at the ballot box! As citizens of two worlds, believers in Christ are obliged to vote their values, their conscience, and make tough decisions. That is the nature of any successful representative government… citizens must be informed, discerning and participating.
So as I take pen in hand this afternoon on the eleventh 9/11 commemoration, I am reminded that ourUnited States of Americais again at a major crossroads where politics and faith intersect. In a few weeks, to not vote is to invite further erosion of individual rights, opportunities, and responsibilities.
Is politics a wee bit “dirty”? Yes, and perhaps that is why the Lifegiver said so little about it. In representative government, it has always been a “contact sport”. Politics too often is the history of rancor, ideological divide and ineffective governing mechanisms. Are American politics sick or broken? A recent survey ofHarvardBusinessSchoolalumni suggests the answer may be yes!
The “American way” is to pursue victory at any cost (or so it seems)! Hence, today, unprecedented monies are being “coughed up” to “force” outcomes. Civility in discourse is clearly “old-fashioned”. Logic and common sense beat a hasty retreat when “strawmen” and ad hominem attacks seem to rule the day. A most disheartening experience for the typical voter today is a five-minute conversation with another voter who happens to disagree. Maybe Winston Churchill was correct when he lamented that democracy was the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried. However, we should not rush to judgment or give up too easily… our present system is still in its infancy in world history, relatively speaking. It can get worse (and will) overtime, we must remember!
Fine Jim, so where does faith fit in? Right in the center of our life and political views, if we understand our citizenship in the Kingdom! St. Matthew’s recalling of Jesus’ words within the Sermon on the Mount are timely here. “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” All these things were the ingredients of life… what we eat, drink, wear, i.e., our earthly needs. Seeking Him and His kingdom is a centering rather than sequential process. Our heavenly Father longs to be at the center of our personal lives, in our families, our communities, our cities and states, our nation, no less. When that takes place, “in God we trust” is thrust into the center of our politics. When our two citizenships interact from a central core belief, we may have expectant, healthy relationships. When they don’t, rancor sets in with those who “don’t think like us”. Bitter acrimony comes quite easily. “Out of the heart of man” can flow the worst. James 4 is a chapter all wise trekkers should be reading periodically. Read it now!
Not only rancor but ideological divide may become as wide as the Grand Canyon. Make no mistake, trekker… this year’s 2012 national election is as much about the role of government in society as it is about jobs and the economy. Who is your Savior… God (and you helping Him build) or government? God is good… but is government? Government is and must be in a fallen world… but the donkey and the elephant naturally do not lie down together. Whether it is good government or bad depends largely on us, for we the people are the government! Be aware trekker… how we view government directly impacts the political structure we produce. The so-called “welfare state” is a comparatively new term in history. It flows directly from our view of the role of government. Likewise, education, our system of taxation, foreign affairs (such as nation building)… all these stem from how we view government and give light today to “ideological divide”.
Personally, I believe our governing mechanisms have grown too cumbersome, too far-reaching, and extend beyond the basic purpose of government… to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the “Blessings of Liberty”. The great mistake in my lifetime is too much dependence on government. After two world wars in the last century, across the world we have turned to governments for “quick solutions.” In theUSAwe have sought to legislate everything, and have dampened individual ingenuity and responsibility in the process.
The Lord’s statement, “Render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and to God the things that belong to God” speaks volumes and cries out to be understood today. Citizenship in two worlds must be consciously acknowledged every day of our lives. We must not confuse “to whom we report”. All things do not belong to Caesar, but some do. Taxes are to be paid. How much and in what form, we must decide. In our day, taxes for social services likely have gone too far, displacing church and non-profit agencies. Not good. But all should render taxes to Caesar!
You and I must be active as salt and light in our government forms and functions. This is a practical explanation of why I gave 31 years of my life in service to my country against all foreign and domestic enemies. Perhaps we need not more public sector jobs. Should bureaucracy reduce its appetite for control and jurisdiction? Need we greater citizen responsibility and decision making, and more independence from government hovering mechanisms, rules, and regulations? Yes, a reduction in the role of government could be quite beneficial. Trekker, without doubt, beliefs do have important implications for our lives and general welfare.
Political parties are founded upon ideological beliefs. That is why this election presents such a clear choice. This is why this election may be a most pivotal event in the history of theUnited States. One of the tragedies of present dayAmericais our elections simply have become primarily about personalities. It should not be … sadly, I fear it is true.
Trekker, we have an obligation to vote, without rancor, for the candidate that most reflects our worldview, positioned within our faith. As we do that, we will get the government we deserve. Government should never be seen as a savior; we have ONE! “For God and country” can be our theme as we enter the polling booth. Enter we must, if we are to “render to Caesar”.
Your friend,
Jim Meredith
