So many people have asked me lately, how could we end up in
America having Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton become the candidates for the
presidency? Who would have guessed that this could happen in America?
Our political system has been polarizing for years and it
has now reached extremes in its polarization.
The manifestation of that polarization I believe is Donald Trump and
Hilary Clinton. I have often seen the
Republican Party as focusing on masculine values like accountability,
responsibility and fiscal responsibility, and that independence, freedom and
self sufficiency is a large part of their mission. Where the Democratic Party is much more
feminine with values like inclusion, care giving for those in need, equity and government
support for these goals. Mom will take
care of you and dad will push you out of the nest! How did we get this polarized political
system and is it healthy? Is it our only option? Are we stuck?
Os Guinness in his critique of American culture says that
polarization, “false antagonisms” or “either/or” thinking undermines the health
and spirituality of our nation. He believes that polarizations are a large part
of American culture.(1) When a mom and dad fight over whose values are right or
the best they undermine the health and functioning of their family. Competitors
make for poor partners! When a couple loops - is emotionally reactive and
polarize rather than join and work together for the greater good the family
deteriorates. When arguing and fighting
is normalized the family becomes unhealthy.
Several years ago I was asked to lead the city prayer vigil
after the January 8th shooting which involved Gabriel Gifford. We had the service at the court house and it
was heavily covered by the news media.
The most common question from them was, “was this shooting a result of
political conflict?” I responded that it
was mainly from a mentally ill person and that assessment got me little
press. However as a therapist I also
mentioned that unresolved tension increases the likelihood of the marginalized
to act out. Diversity creates tension in our culture, but great leadership
unifies diversity. So our political leaders need to be real about their
differences but respectful rather than vilifying differences. We need peace makers for our communities to
thrive. There are issues that need to be defined as wrong and the politicians
need to define their convictions on these issues, but vilifying an issue is
different than being judgmental or critical of a person. Several political
leaders after the shooting confessed their sins of hostility and being
judgmental with one another and pledged to be “civil.” There was some repentance that came out of
the tragedy for us locally.
The other night I was watching the news and a discussion
arose about the dog fighting between Trump and Rubio. Part of the critique was the interviewer
asking John McCain about the fighting.
McCain stated that the candidates were giving up their integrity. The interviewer said that those who fight and
enter into nasty exchanges gain more votes. McCain retorted that to gain the
votes they have to compromise with their integrity. The interviewer confronted McCain and said
because you would not fight this way you lost the election and he responded by
saying, “but I didn’t lose my integrity.”
Leaders have to have a handle on good and evil to lead or they will hurt
us bringing curses rather than bring blessings.
“Listen you leaders of Israel!
You who are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones
who hate good and love evil.” (Micah
3:1-2)
The primaries are about people who want to be public
servants courting the American public so we will vote for them to be our
servants. We need to gain a confidence
that they have the power, competency, integrity and the ability to take charge so
they can serve well. We need to believe
that they have the character to be trusted, and not abuse their positions of
power. We really need to know their
record of service more than promises and great rhetoric. Substance is much more important than image
or emotional appeal for good service.
God uses governments as a part of His plan and rule in that it is His
servant, but His reign is preeminent not political systems or leaders. (2) Too many Christians define faith politically
today rather than spiritually. Timothy
Keller says, “…Christians should never identify too closely with a particular
party or philosophy.” (3)
When Nehemiah picked leaders for the stability of his nation
and city he picked people who “feared God more than most and were faithful.” (4) Maybe as a democracy we the people are at
fault for the candidates we have. Maybe
we have produced this political system with the evil that is manifest in it and
that we need cultural reform to gain political reform. Maybe we need to look to God as our political
leader more than man. God in His
sovereignty can use anyone He wants to use to lead or rule and He does. He has used a donkey and can surely use an
elephant. (Daniel 4:17 …the most High
rules over the kingdoms of the world. He
gives them to anyone he chooses) In scripture and history we have had many
types of leaders, even in a theocracy there were good and bad kings. The
righteous ones were the best for the people.
We need to vote for good and godly people to lead us!
Diversity is even a part of the Christian Community; it is
surely a part of the faith community and even more a part of the American
community. We are not all the same! Yet God rules over all, loving and caring
for all of His creation. He does not
force conformity but creates and invites diversity while drawing us into faith
in Him. Are the candidates manipulating
us towards conformity or using control to gain votes or are they respecting
diversity within the greater community?
Have we as
Evangelicals defined what characteristics a mature godly political leader
should have? Are we committed to prayer and service in our country? Are we
seeking His will? Do we as Evangelicals know what the Kingdom of God requires
of those who would be political leaders under the rule of our King? 6 (Micah
6:8) Are we supporting those who are godly and have integrity more than those
who have image and lack substance?
- Os Guinness, “Fit Bodies Fat Minds Why Evangelicals Don’t Think and What to do About it.” Pg 30
- Romans 13:1-7
- Timothy Keller, “Generous Justice.” Pg 163
- Nehemiah chapter 7
- 1 Samuel chapter 8 (I have a short Bible study on this passage on the blog site)
- Micah 6:8
If you want more about voting as a person of faith in this
election go to Dr. Ben Carson’s www.myfaithvotes.com
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