Read through my recent blog regarding the book Republocrat.
Here is the question, "What level of involvement do you think a Christian ought to have in politics?"
Maybe a follow up question is, "Can a Conservative Christian vote for a Democrat?"
The first question you ask is extensive. As Christians we are to model Christ in a way that makes us better citizens. In our country, better citizens are conscientious voters. So Christians should be more conscientious voters. That is the extent to which most of us are called to be involved in politics - though there is plenty of value in getting more involved as one is called.
ReplyDeleteBut the bigger issue to me is: what is politics? Despite the fact that we live in the Information Age, no one can be an expert in the entire scope of issues in today's political world: from our wars, to the economy, to health care, to the environment, to freedom of religion. There are only a few who can understand the depth of any one of those issues, let alone all of them.
Yet the "party lines" force us to choose a set of answers - and not answer them individually.
My faith as a Christian makes me concerned about the poor, specifically the mal-distribution of wealth. But my faith also makes me concerned about moral issues, like putting an end to abortion. What does that make me in today's party line?
The party-line mentality has forced us to choose one side and to caricature the other. Should I vote for the candidate who might put a stop to abortion but will cut medicare and medicaid to those who need it the most - or should I vote for the candidate who advocates for abortion but has a somewhat sound policy for increasing aid to the poor without increasing spending?
Voting becomes a form of gambling. I wager that the likelihood of Candidate A putting a stop to abortion is greater than it is for Candidate B to help the poor - and so I vote A.
Unfortunately, issues like abortion are looking less and less like they will be fixed anytime soon - and issues like health care, the economy and the environment are being addressed in the forefront. So, as much as I would love to get candidates in who will fight to end abortion, I can't.
(Meanwhile, this happens: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/novemberweb-only/53-31.0.html )
But it all goes back to my original point about what is politics. I am not an economist and I am not a health care specialist. So I do not know our economy needs right now or the solution to health care. I have heard economists from both sides speak and completely and utterly contradict each other. So I can't take expert's opinion into account either.
What I do have, however, are my concerns. And I am more concerned about the lack of quality health care to the poor and sick and unemployed in this country, than I am about those in the $250,000/yr tax bracket.
And so...as someone whose faith leads him to consider the poor - the fatherless and the widows - of our society - and as someone whose faith keeps him from valuing wealth and possessions - I vote for those who at least try to work toward solutions to the very real concerns I have.
No matter who they are.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I agree with lots of what you are saying. In regards to the economy it is pretty apparent that both parties have been unsuccessful in control of inflation, spending and money supply.
The bigger issue is probably the regulation of the banking industry and the home loan and credit card industry. Debt is killing both America and Americans.
It seems like the government just thinks it's OK to print more money. That may work for the short run but it is disastrous in the long haul. We have push some much cash into the economy locally that we are destroying the value of the U.S. $ overseas. Our missionaries are facing unbelievable inflation in the countries they serve and now they face a devaluation of the dollar. So it's a double blow for them.
We will eventually see the results of it here because the price of imports will go up, the cost of doing business will go up, the bad debt of our society will go up, etc. etc. etc.
In regards to what is Politics? I've got a great big book (see my review of Grudem's book on Politics) that can help answer that question.
But the real concern is one you pointed out. Many of us feel as though our vote doesn't really count because no one seems able to champion any type of real change. So many are becoming apathetic in regards to voting. But that is exactly the worst possible thing we can do.
I found myself not liking Dr. Trueman (Republocrat) but I'm not sure if that is because I don't want to believe him or because I believe him and it really frustrates me.
Anyway, the real change for politics will come in the form of the Supreme Court. So, the biggest thing we can do as voters is continue to vote for a President that will bring the type of Judges we agree with into the Supreme Court when vacancies occur. That is huge and maybe worth a whole other discussion.
Anyway, thanks for participating. I hope others will as well.