Christians & Politics?

John 17:20-23, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Our Father surrendered His Son for the sake of re-establishing unity or the familial sense among humankind and between humankind and Deity. That divinely inspired unity is only available through the surrender (death) of self (selfishness and conceit) and in place of self substituting Christ (selflessness and humility).

The election cycle has begun. Once more, the electorate is being enticed to invest themselves in a political organization and a candidate. Having lived through as many of these adventures as 61 years allows I have come to several conclusions. These pronouncements aren’t particularly important; however, they add context to the final point, which, taking the above passage to heart, is vital. First, we are no longer (if we ever have been) presented with candidates. The political parties offer us slickly packaged products. Substance is limited to the almighty sound bite. Even taking a stand the good politician equivocates so as not to totally offend a potential voter.

Second, the late Nelson Rockefeller’s observation that “they are just campaign promises” is a insight into the political machine’s integrity. Reflect upon the years and think of the candidate that most attracted your allegiance. What did they really change? John F. Kennedy was a marvelous orator gifted in concept, delivery and particularly extemporaneous remarks. However, review the assessments of his presidency prior to that awful day in Dallas and it is clear he accomplished little. Whether your candidate wins or not, what really changes?

Several brothers in Christ have shared with me their excitement for “their” candidates. The exhilaration is evident. Each brother is investing time, money and effort in their “man” or “woman.” They are ready and willing to debate issues and qualifications with anyone – including a brother or sister in Christ. This introduces the vital issue, discord in the body of Christ arising from human politics: ‘Tis the season. We, the elect of God, are willing to divide the body and in the process destroy our status as the elect of God. This we do for the sake of electing an imperfect human. Politicians want power. Our God has power – that Almighty God thing. He keeps his promises – every single one. He gives His Son that we may fellowship. Candidates unleash upon us torrents of empty promises for our votes. We are too ready to trash the former for sake of the latter.

In his treatise on Old Testament Theology (volume 2, pages 281-2) Walther Eichrodt offers a few challenging thoughts: “…the right political decision is one of the God-proffered help, by which the courage needed for the adventure of faith both can and should be kindled…the individual is called to abandon his protective framework in order to affirm by free self-surrender the new and unexpected will of God in his particular historical situation. Only the conviction of being called and sustained by God himself makes it all possible for men to transcend the limits of merely human potentials (i.e., politics) in order to walk with the enigmatic God of the universe along the giddy paths by which he strides through history.”

Christians we purport to be. Allegedly we are people who rely totally upon our Lord and Savior. A people who by faith have surrendered self that Christ may live in us. A people who are one with Christ and thus one in Christ. Who is my candidate? The One who elected me and you to be together with Him now and forever. Please let not politics jeopardize our vital sense of family. Let us remain united under the umbrella of His enduring love and mercy.