How does a Christian make sense of this political circus?

The more I talk to people these days about the presidential election, the more I hear a common response. "I can't wait for this whole thing to be over." Many of you may be able to relate to that sentiment. I certainly can. But our desires are not to be, at least for now. So this political process still requires our attention.

This past Sunday I was facilitating a group discussion, in which we were talking through different questions and issues related to the Christian faith. (By the way, that conversation will continue this coming Sunday. If you're at all interested in wrestling through objections to the Christian faith, shoot me an email and I'll get you the details.)

Early into the discussion, the question was asked, "Is there anything in the Bible which suggests that Christians should get involved in the political process?"

This is a good question, and unfortunately, not one that enough Christians genuinely consider. We talked a bit about politics, government, and some of the biblical passages which speak to these issues, including Romans 13:1-7, which talks about how God has established the governing authorities and the respective roles authorities are to play in a society.

The guy asking the question ultimately concluded that if God essentially established the institution of government, then Christians should presumably involve themselves in the most basic of civic engagement. I would agree. In fact, one of the other members of the group made the argument that the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States should provide the necessary motivation for American citizens to express their voice in the political process. (I would add a further element, that not only should American citizens participate in the electoral process, but they should make a concerted effort to be an informed voter as well.)

Genuinely attempting to become informed on the issues can be difficult, however, given the myriad of issues and the varying nuances related to each one. But it is not impossible. As Abby, one of our regular TDD contributors, inquired a while back, if a Christian is genuinely interested in developing a biblically-based political worldview, there is a way to get a better sense of what the Bible has to say on the issues. (There's more in Scripture than you may realize--on everything from the economy and energy to health care and immigration.)

In fact, I recently ran across a very interesting little book entitled, Make Your Vote Count: What the Bible Says About 25 Key Political Issues. It is comprehensive enough to give those interested a well-rounded biblical foundation for the major political issues, but succinct enough (only 89 pages) to be able to read in a relatively short period of time.

Even if you don't have enough time to get it before this election next week, it's worth having as a future resource. Because like it or not, politics will never be over, even when it merely goes underground until the next election cycle.

Comments

[matt]

JC,
I'm quite proud that my question made your blog. I'm "this guy". Since our discussion I've grown more and more angry with myself for not voting in this election as our talk inspired me to look deeper into it from a spiritual aspect and from an informed voter point of view. Wish we would've talked sooner. Hope the Q and A goes well.

[Jason]

I am going to vote but here is a question that I posed to my youth guys about faith and politics. Since we where given free will to chose our ways. Shouldn't our political decisions allow that same opportunity to free will instead of placing a president who my have the same conservative beliefs and not allow the opportunity of free will/choice.

We had a good talk about it and I was very proud of their responses.

[andy]

"...like it or not, politics will never be over, even when it merely goes underground until the next election cycle."

which will be next fall '09. remember when the campaigning for this election started?

i've had enough.

[John]

Matt, great to have you aboard TDD. I put your question up because it's a good one. :)

No worries about missing this election. It's water over the dam, and as I wrote above in this post, we will all have countless future opportunities to engage in the political process. As I said last Sunday night, if the only thing that comes out our conversation is an increased motivation to get involved, then much has been accomplished. Your situation can serve as a very valuable learning lesson for the many other Christians who find themselves in a similar spot, and in that sense, it gives your current situation that much more value. See you this Sunday.