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Christianity Today, October, 2008 |

Can We Come to the Party?

Never confuse access to politicians with influence on policy.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 10/27/2008 09:22AM

"I know you can't endorse me, but I want you to know that I endorse you." Nothing solidified the alliance between evangelicals and the Republican Party so much as that 1980 comment from Ronald Reagan ...

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Discerning believer

Posted: October 29, 2008 12:55 AM


This would be an appropriate article link to the above CT article: Janet Porter's article "You cannot be a Christian and vote for Obama." http://wnd.com/index.php/index.php?pageId=79276 Also, for all the Christians who plan to not vote for either McCain or Obama (including some friends), please know that a no-vote is a vote for Obama. We need you now to stand your ground for Jesus Christ.

Cynical2

Posted: October 28, 2008 2:34 PM


Maybe if we get blamed for one more election, we'll learn . . . or not!

OpenEyes

Posted: October 28, 2008 11:05 AM

The US is facing a serious crisis in economy. It this crisis could not be resolved in good hands, then it may chain to a global recession. Evangelical voters have to think about the job description of being a president. I totally against abortion and gay marriage, but do not think that if the US collapes and global economy collapes, our vote for pro-life will help most people in the world, especially the poor. The wealthy may have savings to pass the tough time, but middle income and poor will face a great crisis struggling for living. I feel that when Evangelicals only care about abortion and gay marriage issues in regards to the job description and qualification of a president, it is funny to say that Christianity is to teach people to live a wise life in a holistic way. It shows that Evangelicals cannot and do not care about other issues other than abortion and gay-marriage when it comes to a broad scope of global economy, and US's economic and political position in the world!!

Joshua Frye

Posted: October 28, 2008 10:15 AM

I agree with Mr. Hermit... but I don't believe he is pointing enough fingers. There should be another finger, pointed at the Democratic party, which has failed on more Biblical notions than just Abortion or Homosexuality (which seem marginalized because they are not as "problematic" as his poignant issues). Mr. Hermit, Obama is also going to take us to war, didn't you listen to THOSE parts of his speeches? And let's not forget the biggest finger.... which should be pointed at the voters, ourselves. Eight months ago, we had an option for some candidates who were truly "christ-like", but we allowed ourselves to be led by media interests to choose between "viable" candidates. Christ cannot win, because nobody will vote for Him. What a tragedy.

Stefan

Posted: October 28, 2008 7:31 AM

There is another way to put this. In this country, evangelicals claim to be followers of Christ, but cannot seem to resist making deals with Caesar. Of course we need to vote in accord with our consciences, but it is never just as simple as that. Many Christians, including many Church leaders, seem to feel irresistible urges to cozy up to those in power in the hopes of persuading the politicians to promote religious values. While the impulse is understandable, this is dangerous regardless of which political party we collaborate with. A common result is that we get manipulated to serve political interests, and receive little in return. A much graver danger is that we end up becoming part of the political system ourselves, and as lobbyists, influence peddlers, or politicians, we use our religious values to promote ourselves and our worldly agendas that differ little from those we oppose.

thedeena

Posted: October 28, 2008 12:16 AM

I guess unless you've been there, i.e., your mom wanted an abortion but was unable due to law, you don't get it. Had Roe v. Wade happened just 10 years earlier, I wouldn't be here to cast my vote. So, call it what you want, it smells of compromise to me and breaks my heart that CT fell for it. No, I don't like our other option, but I refuse to give away my vote to a person who lacks integrity when it comes to issues of life. Jesus wouldn't want any less from me.

A Hermit

Posted: October 27, 2008 8:58 PM

Social justice movements of the past have not been supported by conservative (most often white and wealthy) Christians of this country. From labor unions and working conditions, to civil rights, to protecting the environment from greedy exploitation. ALL life on earth (creation) is threatened by militarism and weapons of mass destruction and their expense; on greedy, mindless 'economic development' that destroys our life support system (the environment); on policies of wealth creation that favor the wealthy and powerful minorities over the poor (and lead to more abortions). Most wealthy Christians live lifestyles that are complicit in the sins above; yet Christians can vote on narrow 'family values' issues (abortion and gay marriage) and avoid their responsibility for the mortal sin they are complicit in in their own lifestyles. The Democratic party has more consistently voted against corporate greed, militarism, and for economic policies for the poor.

Laura

Posted: October 27, 2008 8:28 PM

It seems as though this author is just looking for anything to support joining the democratic party, even though their position has not moved one iota as it pertains to abortion. Just because someone listens to you doesn't mean you should join their cause. It is not about being included in a party just because they listen to you that is important. It is about standing up for what is right according to what our Lord says and being separated for His purposes, not joining something or participating in something that is contrary to what Jesus teaches.

Cynical

Posted: October 27, 2008 4:10 PM

I enjoy total access to politicians because of my position and influence in my community and beyond, but I never misunderstand their need to be seen with me, as I make my positions clear to them. The problem is that, beyond local government, so much compromise is made that hardly anyone has much character left by the time they climb over everything that stands in the way of election, or re-election. My opinion is that there's not much difference in any of them anymore. I'm really tired of voting for (hopefully) the lesser of two evils. A government that is determined by recipients of government largesse, will fail. We are well on our way.

Roy	Posted: October 27, 2008 4:01 PM


CT hit the nail on the head. Supporters of both parties are guilty of looking the other way as long as they can get their photo opps. I believe that CT has been as fair as possible politically, despite a great deal of pressure to support one side or the other.

John G.

Posted: October 27, 2008 3:52 PM

It is far too easy to be swayed into the lust for power. We already have a King, and belong to another Kingdom, once which will supersede the kingdoms of this world. But if conservatives are naive in one direction, liberal evangelicals such as Wallis and Campolo are naive in the other direction, if they think that the Democratic Party has moved one iota away from its support for abortion. They see and hear only what they want to, and are simply looking for any little excuse to tout and support the Democrats.

Colleen

Posted: October 27, 2008 3:40 PM


I agree with you, ibunnie...Maybe the "slow fade" to the apostacy.

Roberto

Posted: October 27, 2008 3:40 PM

CT - No need to pretend you are being neutral. You have boiled politics to one issue, abortion! And by the measure, while you pretend to be neutral, you have indirectly supported McCain. Politicians since Regan have bamboozled Evangelicals with the promise to overturn Roe. v. Wade. Nearly 30 years later, they are sadly falling for the same trick. You may point to Palin, but as Gov. of Alaska she has done nothing to restrict abortion, something she could do under Roe v. Wade in the second and third trimester. She'd rather talk about energy policy. It saddens me to see CT, who should be leading Evangelicals forward, having its foot stuck squarely in the past, falling for the same party line, all over again.

Dave	Posted: October 27, 2008 3:07 PM


Evanglicals are too easly bought. Hand shakes and endorsements mean nothing. Power gets results. Neither party cares what we want they just want our vote. Real power not only sits at the table but comes away with some victories. We need to stop giving the benefit of the doubt and start asking that we see some real results for our elected officials.

Carolyn

Posted: October 27, 2008 12:19 PM


A very timely caution. Charles Colson, out of his abundant experience, has made similar points in the past. Access is one thing; influence is another. Power, political power is something else again. I'm not sure that the record of evangelicals seeking, much less using, political power is a very edifying one. Ralph Reed is a case in point.

ibunnie

Posted: October 27, 2008 11:57 AM


How does that Casting Crowns song go? "It's a slow fade when you give yourself away." Is this the beginning of Christianity's slow fade into irrelevance, or just the continuation of the assimilation into the pop culture that began as the progressive/Emergent movement? And to think, I was moving that direction myself.

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