With the final days of this hostile election season upon us, at long last, the rhetorical clamor is getting more and more insane by the hour. Disappointingly, but no longer surprising in this Country, some of the most shocking stuff I'm reading and hearing is sourced to Christian voices. And the lunacy of some of it is downright depressing, because it reflects Christianity by such a ridiculous light that the legitimacy of the Faith cannot help but be damaged.
But ... whatever it takes to win, right?
That's about how superficial it has become, if you ask me. Christians reducing the richness of their faith and teachings of Christ and Scripture to the confines of political utility. And no matter how sleazy and sordid the means by which it is attained, victory is the ultimate goal.
After all, if that man or this woman is my will, that's only because they are God's will for us all.
Along with such theological stupidity, I have been seeing the same propaganda in things like "Voting Guides for Christians," shared widely via social media, email, regular mail, robo-calls, and text messages (oh ... the text messages).
For the most part these "guides" are about as vapid as a meme, only they're nestled in the trappings of something more comprehensive and official looking.
So, after successfully avoiding any political posts throughout the year, I felt it was time to allow myself a single political indulgence. And with it, I present to you my considerations for the Christian voter.
This is not exactly a voting "guide" per say, but rather a guide for approaching voting. A hand, if you will, for piloting through the turbulence created by fellow Christians and the high-pressure nonsense they often employ to create the high stakes, sky will fall, sense of doom if you don't vote this way or that.
Thus, it's a centering, albeit cautionary, reminder for fellow believers, who like me are disheartened by the current silly state of affairs in this election season, and are particularly troubled by the baffling antics of so many within the American Christian Community.
I pray this is useful.
Beware of those who suggest a particular candidate is a more (or less) “godly” choice by couching their political ideology in the teachings of Christ, or his Word.
Evaluate options based on how they conform to and reflect Christ, in his totality, not by some supposed “biblical worldview” that begins with an ideology and then picks and chooses select parts of Scripture to adorn itself with, as a guise for being “biblical.”
Beware of those who portray this season’s political candidates, or this Country more broadly, as though they are the fulfillment of biblical types or prophecies. None of it’s true.
He is not a “Cyrus” figure, as some of his followers claim. Nor is he the boastful horn of Daniel’s vision, as some of his enemies suggest. She is not Revelation’s woman clothed in purple and bearing the chalice of abominations, because she wore a purple top one day. Neither is she a Barabbas figure standing as the opposite choice against a “messianic” hero.
And that “light of the world, city on a hill” thing in Matthew’s gospel? America is not it!
Beware of those who present you with anxiety over choosing their candidate, because the outcome of God’s will for the world, America, or your life depends on their being elected.
This is not the case. It’s never the case. The outcome of God’s will is rooted unshakably in his being. If you fully trust that God is sovereign over all things and faithful to his promises, then who gets elected poses not even the slightest bit of resistance to his ultimate will being achieved exactly when and as he wants it.
Beware of those who spout propaganda along these lines: “You can’t vote (insert party) and be a Christian.”
Yes, you can. Read the Gospels again, paying attention to the actions of charity and love that Jesus prioritized as righteousness and obedience to God. Use those markers as the basis for assessing how a Christian is to live, and then vote your conscience.
Beware of those who allege that voting for the lesser of two evils is a “Christian duty.”
It’s not. In fact, voting ... period … is not a “Christian duty.” Again, Jesus is pretty clear about what Christian “duty” looks like, and engagement in the political processes of the “state” is not among them, as far as I can tell. Nowhere in the New Testament is there a place that says taking the lesser evil of two wicked paths amounts to taking a righteous one.
Beware of those who conflate Christian morality with culture warring based on political identity.
American values, whichever way you interpret those, should not be mistaken for Christian morality. That does not imply they do not, at times, intersect. However, it is a grave mistake to see that intersection being on only one side of the aisle.
And taking that one step further … beware of those who try to sell you on the idea that a righteous Christian priority allows for culture warring vicariously through immoral politicians and/or immoral means.
As it relates to morality in our cultures, our fight starts with our own heart and our own life. It involves, first of all, picking up our cross and following Christ. That implies our first opponent to conquer is the burden of our prioritization of self, as it stands in the way of pursuing Christ. Our "self" ... meaning our lust, pride, prejudice, self-centeredness, and jealousy ... is the thing represented by our cross.
By that, it should be evident your neighbor’s stance on immigration, their gender identity, sexual preference, or leaning on social issues, is not your cross. Nor is it, then, your battle. All that is the terrain you need to learn to navigate so you can get your ass in proximity so as to love them, as you do your SELF.
And for all my charismatic “armor of God” loving friends. Wear that armor in defense of yourself in the fight against the demons keeping you from following Christ, not for conquering and subjugating your neighbor—who (again) your Christian duty is to love.
Now, if your conscience deems it best, and with all this in mind and heart, go and vote.
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