Leader's Insight: 2008 More Questions

Editor’s note: Is it 2008 yet? No. 15 months to go. And if we heed Gordon MacDonald’s advice, during this long election season we will be asking serious questions of all the candidates for public office, especially those running for president of the United States. Gordon’s column two weeks ago prompted much response from Weekly readers and visitors to our blog, Out of Ur, where we directed the conversation.

The debate raises the larger question: How politically active should Christians—and in particular, church leaders—be?

If you haven’t time to read the lengthy replies, we offer here some highlights to stimulate your thoughts, conversations, and assessments of the issues and candidates.

Mike posted: Those issues do bring up a growing problem with the American Church; we are looking for a president to do the work that we should be doing. My vote boils down to supporting the candidate that most supports the Church’s freedom to act on its principles and beliefs, to mobilize and serve, to live and freely proclaim God’s values.

The reality is that there are candidates who think that the church is a problem rather than a wonderful resource for love and good deeds. Let’s find a president that will encourage us to do our job and whom we can encourage to do theirs.

Let’s stop hoping for a new savior when we’ve already got one living in each of our hearts.

Martin posted: This list was obviously slanted to convince readers to vote Democrat. While I respect the writer’s convictions, I believe that it is extremely harmful to the church and contrary to the gospel’s message to brand Jesus as either a Republican or a Democrat. I think that Jesus would be against torture, abortion, racism, and gay marriage, and thus I feel that, as a Christian, I can’t fight too much for one particular party.

Danutz posted: Christians don’t need to ask candidates these questions. It will be obvious because they will have a (D) at the end of their name. If these seem like new ideas, then it probably means you have been a Republican. The last 25 years has led Christians to have the mentality that voting Republican is part of their Christian responsibility. I was as guilty as anyone.

Don’t spend the next year trying to get Republican candidates to say things they don’t believe in or shift the party to the middle, just switch parties! Come on in; the water is fine and Jesus is already swimming.

Mark Goodyear posted: Politically active Christians face a paradox, even if our main political action is simply casting a vote. Jesus fought this same battle with the Jews who wanted his kingdom to be flesh and blood. He kept telling them, “My kingdom is not flesh and blood.” But they didn’t get it. We still don’t. And yet … we still have to elect a leader who is flesh and blood.

As Christians, how do we choose the leaders of our American kingdom who will also help build God’s kingdom? I have trouble believing we do that by just voting pro-life. Or pro-environment. Or anti-war. Or pro-security. But I still don’t know how to do it!

Denise posted: Jesus railed against the “upright and moral” people of his day. Let us stop obsessing about the outside of the cup, the counting of spice seeds, and get to work on the giant planks in our own eyes. If a politician would stand for even half of the ideas presented by Mr. MacDonald, we would all be living in a world closer to the Kingdom of God.

The American Christian has become the Modern Pharisee. We are the ones that Jesus is calling to repent. We are the whitewashed tombs.

Chris M. posted: I am an evangelical, and yet, amazingly I am deeply concerned about the poor. I am deeply concerned about those who are in chains. However, those with the (D) next to their name belong to a party which has a plank in their platform that unborn human beings can be sacrificed on the altar of choice. That is not an altar at which I can worship. I will take my chances trying to rally the (R) folks to the causes of justice and righteousness.

Ben Powell posted: Politics is not the answer, the Church is. No party represents the Church or Jesus Christ, that’s as clear in my country [Australia] as it should be in yours. Vote for who you see fit, seek God and pray, and understand that your vote might be different to someone else’s. They might even both be right under God. The global Church needs America, not simply for your politics; we need you for your love for Jesus and your commitment to follow him no matter the cost.

Rick10 posted: We are too focused on politics to do what the Church of Jesus Christ should be doing. It was never the intention of the founding fathers that the U.S. government should be the moral police or should promote one religion over another. Having said that, who do we vote for?

It’s called prayer. God is in control and has the big picture that none of us can see. Ask him for direction, do the job as the Church that he has told us all to do in Scripture, and trust him for the outcome.

Tim Moore posted: Since so many U.S. believers have a different understanding, let’s extend grace to each other. Not that many Christians are against the poor or for ruining the earth. We just have different ideas on how to deal with it. Let’s maintain unity on the essentials, but a little more love with those who have a different list. The key point I get from Pastor MacDonald is the importance of our leadership not being driven from our essential message: Christ, and him crucified.

Andy posted: American Christians typically don’t think, we react. Show us enough pictures of aborted American babies and we vote Republican. Show us enough pictures of dead Iraqi babies and we vote Democrat. Anyone who can look at both sets of pictures without feeling incredible disgust, sorrow, and anger lacks heart. Anyone who thinks voting Republican will end abortion or voting Democrat will end the deaths in Iraq lacks wisdom.

We must do the hard work of informing ourselves about the issues so we can make good decisions. This is especially important for ministers.

We also need to get involved locally. Many of my neighbors live at or below the poverty level. I don’t think voting (D) and throwing more money at the problem or voting (R) and ignoring the problem will help them.

Kevin DaVee posted: Christians were taught to submit, even to Nero. God certainly doesn’t guarantee us a “righteous government or nation,” but demands our individual devotion regardless. I will not be disappointed by America, because I have not placed my faith in it. Meanwhile, I’ll submit to authority, and yes, pray for God’s influence on that authority.