Politics are Seductive
St. Augustine once said, “The Church is a whore, but she is still my mother.” After another debate and another Sunday, I conclude that the church (in the United States) is still a whore. I do not understand why those in the Emergent Church bash the Evangelicals for going to bed with the Republicans when they are so quick jump in bed with the Democrats? Each time I watched the Presidential and V.P. debates both conservative Evangelicals and “liberal” Emergents were there cheering on their savior of choice over facebook and blogs. Why are politics so seductive?
Do we have to pick a side?
My pastor for whom I have much respect is a crazy Republican and I get a great big dose of it every Sunday. I can give him a pass in some manner because he comes for the traditional conservative background. Since the Evangelical talking heads sold their soul to the Republicans in the 70’s the majority of God-loving, God-fearing pastors have assumed a strong Republican stance. This was not necessarily a negative thing because for many they were and are defending the rights of the unborn. I too am absolutely pro-life. In the 2000 and 2004 elections the homosexual agenda took off and has just added fuel to their fire. These two issues have blinded the Church to a larger picture of other core Christian values.
My Emergent friends on the other hand supposedly see the larger picture. They realize that poverty, health, education, war, and the environment are also important issues to God. Many of the emergents are frustrated with much of traditional Christianity and the country club mentality that has infected the Church in America. They are out to do things differently. However, I am not seeing the authenticity of their proclamation in these elections. How is jumping ship from one party to another doing thing differently?
A friend of mine was telling me that one of her friends used to always voice his frustrations with the religious right using such a heavy hand in the pulpit and through their media venues to tell people how to vote. Now her friend is campaigning for Obama, trying to get young Evangelicals to see the “larger” picture and how Obama is the right savior for the next 4-8 years. Another example comes from a strong figure within the Emergent crowd, Steve Knight, who recently wrote an article/blog expressing his increasing suspicion about when life actually begins. So rather than trying to see a larger picture he is now formulating justifications for leaving all Republicans issues null and void.
Is one really more important than another?
I believe that abortion, homosexuality, poverty, environment, war, health, education, and much more are very important issues for the Church. But I think we need to really consider our actions and the importance of our involvement in politics. First, do we have a right to govern morals and laws outside of the Church, or should the Church instead attempt to model and portray these morals and practices in love? Second, how do we say one issue is more important than another? If we don’t start taking care of the environment, their will be nothing left our children. My understanding is that more children die of poverty-food and medicine, than do to abortion. I could be wrong, but I do know that poverty is the main reason for abortions. Third, by picking a side we demonize the other side. We create division amongst brothers and sisters, the body of Christ, and that is a horrible example to the rest of the world.
What about the individual seeking Jesus?
I always feel sorry for the democrats that come to my church. If you are a democrat and attend the church that I attend, you will leave thinking you are rebellious or you will leave pissed off and will never come back. The goal of the church is not to elect some superficial manipulative politician, but to promote the good news of Jesus Christ. This goods news is salvation for all regardless of political party. What happens if a democrat comes to church seeking to find life and love because the world has beat them up. War has taken their child, spouse, or parent or the lack of hope for a future caused them to have an abortion. So they came seeking help but were told that unless they support the war which has taken their loved one they cannot be a part of this love of Christ.
Today’s political prophets
I am neither Republican or Democrat so that would make me Independent I guess, but I would rather consider myself a foreigner to this process because my hope is not in John McCain, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, or Joe Biden. My hope is in Jesus Christ. My way is His way. I do not seek power, but choose to serve with love. At least I try. I believe that God has sent prophets for this time and their names are Greg Boyd and Shane Claiborne. I believe the Church would do itself a great favor by wrestling with the messages of both. Greg Boy did a series in 2004 called The Cross and the Sword, which was the basis for a book he wrote in 2006 called A Myth of a Christian Nation. The sermon series can be found on his church’s website. Claiborne’s book Jesus for President is another great outlook on the Kingdom. However, I am a little disappointed in one of Boyd’s recent blogs where he admits that Obama is very attractive and exciting but concludes that Jesus is still the only answer. Seemed to me to be a back door endorsement but like I said politics are seductive and we are whores.
Lord, I pray for us all.
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