Is God Republican or Democrat?

I got home from our campus ministry meeting just in time to watch the 90-minutes of self-promoting ambition on TV. Shortly thereafter a debate of our own broke out in our house. I have not been so distraught over voting as I am this year. I will offer more on this later. Because of the trust God has given me in guiding and leading members of HIS fold I want to be certain to choose my words clearly, humbly, and wisely when speaking about the upcoming election. But I promise I will not simply ignore it; nor will I recommend, endorse, or speak for or against a particular candidate. The presidential election is a very important issue that impacts all of our lives, so we must have a place to discuss and work through our convictions. Some of it will make us uncomfortable, while some of it will help bring clarity. Some people who are brothers and sisters in Jesus will perhaps have a different political opinion than you, while others may agree with you. But both are still family in God's kingdom. We must get ready for this. We cannot avoid the tension this election is going to bring. It is already present, but it will get stronger.

Lets agree on one thing for sure... to pray.

What should we pray for? Good question. The best place to receive that answer is to look to Jesus... which is precicely what I want to do when considering how or if to cast my vote (yes, I said "if").

I will be praying that God gives us clarity through His Word, and a spirit of unity in light of the darkness of divisive and destructive politics.

By the way, the question in the header was meant to be tongue-in-cheek... I hope you didn't think I was going to actually answer it.

Comments

[chad]

In the past I’ve been asked the question that many people frequently ask during the presidential voting season. “Are you Democrat or Republican?” I used to answer this question with a mild amount of contempt or just with a tragically witty remark. I can say this much, I’m a registered Democrat but I’ve never been a political person. I’ve grown up around politics and all I’ve ever seen of it is the dank underbelly of illogical party partisan dogma. There have been times in my recent existence where I have felt physically sick to my stomach every time I would hear a political argument. As I sit here typing this a thought occurs to me. I think from now on whenever someone asks me what political persuasion I am I’m going to proudly respond, “I’m a Recratican!” No no microsoft word, don’t put that red line under that word, that’s what I meant to say. I simply want what is best for everybody so if that means that sometimes I have to side with the Republicans and sometimes I have to side with the Democrats then that’s just fine by me. But I will forever refuse to draw political lines in the sand because the moment I stop listening to the counsel of others is the day that I might just miss the wisest piece of advice I’ve ever heard. I think the problem with politics is the same problem that many other institutions, organizations and individuals in the world are plagued with. That problem seems to be one of discernment. How do you decide who’s right? How do you decide which side has the best plan? How can you trust one word over another from individuals that you may or may not really have a reason to trust? Where do you go for unbiased political opinions? (is there really any such thing!?) I’ll probably be finishing Proverbs sometime in the next half hour and many of the lessons that I’ve learned there have much to say on the very topic in question. There is much of Proverbs that just seems to scream common sense and practicality. In other words, keeping an eye out for the greater good but still do what is right. I’ve believed for many years now that both religion and politics have a strikingly common problem that they have yet to overcome on a large-scale basis. It seems like both groups, and here I’m talking within the confines of their own structures, spend most of their time talking right past one another but never to one another. And if they do begin talking to one another then ultimately somebody ends up talking down to the other. I think that ultimately what needs to happen in many of our fields in life is that we need not be in such a rush to be heard but rather in a hurry to listen and develop true working relationships through patience as well as understanding. Relationships where people doggedly pursue truth and never be so bold as to say “I’ve got it all figured out.” Life is an ongoing learning process and we need one another to help grow in that learning process. We must do what we can to find truth in these two men we call “leaders”. We must lay aside the donkey and the elephant to exchange them for common sense and wisdom. Solomon wrote in Proverbs, “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” It is my prayer that God would lay wisdom upon all our hearts as we approach the polls this year. It is my hope that we would learn to do what is right rather than what is “loyal”. Perhaps the answers to all those questions above are much more simple than we might think. For me the answers to all those questions above are simple: God is the answer and it is there that we must begin.

[chris]

Good word, Chad. "I think that ultimately what needs to happen in many of our fields in life is that we need not be in such a rush to be heard but rather in a hurry to listen and develop true working relationships through patience as well as understanding."

I agree. Pride causes this "talking past one another" to happen. Humility is what gives us the strength and wisdom to shut up and listen.

Unfortunately there is great lack of humility in our nations politics. What is it that Proverbs says about "pride?" It goes somewhere... before something...

[Des]

You have said a lot Chad. I can't think of anything to add. Thanks for your thoughtful post.