Christians and Politics

[McFearless]

Dear Donmech,

I study political science in Copenhagen and I have been struggling with the issue of Christianity and representative democracy.

I'd like to part my answer to your question in two so I can address the "being square with God part" and to address the "voting part" separately - so I can later combine them to clarify what I've found.

1. The beauty of grace is that it is free. We Christians always think of the "being square with God"-part as if it was something we achieve by works or struggle. I read this book once (Classic Christianity by Bob George) - he explains how we transform when we are born again. He uses the image of a caterpillar transfiguring into a butterfly and says that the same thing happens when someone is born again. And explains that a butterfly might be a butterfly acting like a caterpillar but it is still a butterfly in the eyes of God. Furthermore he explains that we are - in that sense square with God, even if we are total idiots, which makes the gospel even more beautiful. We are saved through faith in Jesus and not judged on the basis of our actions.
Knowing that I'm saved regardless of what I do, makes my heart even more hungry for truth and kindness.

2. Is it right by God to vote for the democrats?
Would God vote for any Democrat or would God vote for any Republican?
- I don't think so..

I think that Christians should be engaged with society in other ways and stay away from politics. To me people can have what they want - I just want Jesus and no politician can give me that. So I'm not voting before God tells me to and I don't mean in a selective manner, where I pick out different laws or bible quotes and put them on my own scale as a measure to chose between the lesser of two evils. If God wants me to vote I'll vote, but then he also has to tell me who I should vote for.
Democracy is about state building and compromising so regardless of who you vote for, you wont find anyone who is not willing to compromise and get some right for a little wrong. To me that is not in the spirit of God and I believe that we should stay away from voting all together and make society better through charity and love.

God bless you

 

[Zmouth]

Just a simple question, however, maybe not a simple answer.

Proverbs 1:22

Can a true Christian consciously vote democrat and be square with God, considering all the immoral and unscriptural viewpoints that the modern day democrats attach themselves to. For example, how can a Christian pull the lever for a democrat when their position has been overwhelmingly for abortion, or gay marriage? These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Does anyone have an opinion about this subject? Does it really matter or does God hold us responsible for siding with the wrong crowd? If I vote someone into a position and they pass unscriptural laws, am I just as guilty as if I did the act?

Though, when a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes.

 

[Adstar]

Politics is not the domain of the true Christian.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are of God.
We are to obey the law of the land and to be good citizens, that is all.
But we should not get involved in political activity.

My kingdom is not of this world.

The world belongs to Satan. It is corrupt and violent.
No political choices or activism will save the world from itself.
Rather the whole point of Christianity is to become separate from the
world and not to conform to worldly values, passions and lusts.
We are to be ambassadors for Jesus and the gospel.

If you have voluntary voting then don't vote.
Here in Australia we have compulsory voting so I need to turn up
at a polling booth and cast a vote. But I do not take it seriously because
they are all as self-serving and worldly as each other.

Your job is to be a light shining bright in a dark world and to preach the
good news of salvation.
This world will burn regardless of who is in the White House.

I am in total agreement..

I am Australian too and yes we have to vote.. I turn up to the booth on voting day to get my name ticked to avoid the fine for not voting, then grab the voting papers and fold them up without marking them and drop them into the box as i walk out...

 

[JaumeJ]

Anyone who believes Jesus Christ will follow His Example and Teaching.

He is King, ergo our only politic would be Our King, Jesus Christ.

If we know Him we will follow His example having
nothing to do with politics of this age, giving all glory to Him

Anyone involved with the politics of this age as
a legitimate arm of faith in Jesus Christ does not know
Jesus Christ; he may know world leaders though.

 

[notuptome]

Anyone who believes Jesus Christ will follow His Example and Teaching.

He is King, ergo our only politic would be Our King, Jesus Christ.

If we know Him we will follow His example having
nothing to do with politics of this age, giving all glory to Him

Anyone involved with the politics of this age as
a legitimate arm of faith in Jesus Christ does not know
Jesus Christ; he may know world leaders though.

Pr 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Still the same today. God controls politics. Politics are not a terror to good works.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Depleted]

In my view no.....and I have heard believers say they will vote for the lesser of two evils.....I say why vote for any evil......my question is....why do we need to vote for any candidate.....where does it say we have to participate....render unto Caesar is applicable unto taxes....and lest we forget....when Jesus said that...Rome was using tax money to support legions that conquered, killed, murdered women, children, Christians etc.....so....there is a fine line and one must bear their own conscience.....but to your original question.....I do not see how any so called believer can support a party that murders babies, promotes sexual immorality, transgenderism etc......

I voted for Trump, because I did not want an incompetent criminal as Commander in Chief.

Since you can't support anyone, why worry if some other guy supports the party that openly says they are pro-abortion, pro homosexual marriages, etc., instead of the party who still supports it but never says it until after they're elected?

 

[JaumeJ]

When reading the Word in the entirety, the only King I ever consider is God.

The mention of being King is in the OT and, of coure in the NT. There is mystery here, perhaps, and perhaps it is far more simple than mysterious.

When Israel asked Samue,l for a king, God gave Samuel permission to grant them a king while declaring He is their King.

And so Jesus Christ is our King! Conflicting? Again, Isaiah 9:6 sheds all light needed ont his subject.

I will never be especially fond of any politician, but of the people, political or no, yes.

Pr 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Still the same today. God controls politics. Politics are not a terror to good works.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[dcontroversal]

I voted for Trump, because I did not want an incompetent criminal as Commander in Chief.

Since you can't support anyone, why worry if some other guy supports the party that openly says they are pro-abortion, pro homosexual marriages, etc., instead of the party who still supports it but never says it until after they're elected?

Who said I did not vote?

 

[beastslayer1970]

One of the greatest tragedies in Church history of the USA is when men like James Dobson, Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell thought God said they could and should do anything in the attempt legislate morality.

This opened the door to corrupt politicians on both sides of the aisle, bit mainly conservative democrats and republicans to get quick easy votes and they have been using the USA Evangelicals to get easy votes ever since.

The fact most evangelicals in the USA are blind to this fact says volumes. The GOP has never been the churches friend and Trump is not the churches friend. The USA has at no time in her history ever been a Theocracy, despite the many Bully pulpit pastors that claim she has/is.

 

[crossnote]

Just a simple question, however, maybe not a simple answer.

Can a true Christian consciously vote democrat and be square with God, considering all the immoral and unscriptural viewpoints that the modern day democrats attach themselves to. For example, how can a Christian pull the lever for a democrat when their position has been overwhelmingly for abortion, or gay marriage? These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Does anyone have an opinion about this subject? Does it really matter or does God hold us responsible for siding with the wrong crowd? If I vote someone into a position and they pass unscriptural laws, am I just as guilty as if I did the act?

I think many who vote Dem are living in Elsie Densmore la la land. Once upon a time, there was Truman, Kennedy (even Franklin) but since then that party has succumbed to Jadis, the White Witch of Narnia and have been turned into a corrupted fossil.

 

[KelbyofGod]

Politics is not the domain of the true Christian.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are of God.
We are to obey the law of the land and to be good citizens, that is all.
But we should not get involved in political activity.

Although i appreciate you more than I've let on so far (because you do have the Holy Ghost and readily stand up for him. ) yet I will suggest you are taking the idea a little farther than what is true. If we are to pray for the cities we are in (Jer_29:7) and our rulers (1 Tim_2:1,2) then we are getting involved at least in some way in the political affairs. Also consider Joseph, Esther and/or Mordecai.

Also, through praying for my own town and specifically the rulers thereof, I was elected mayor (without desire for the office, and without campaigning). This was a surprise to me (and our church) but I could see where God had prepared me, and when I asked "Why" he brought a specific prayer to my remembrance as the reason.

To give some back-story...Praying and receiving has been somewhat easy for me since God taught me how, and I very much enjoy the benefits. But I also felt selfish because I know how to get it to work for me, but not necessarily for others...so I was trying to pray for others. I started praying for the town, its rulers, and eventually the mayor. I thought to pray for them to receive like things as I'd been given. So I started asking God to give them wisdom and such as he'd given me. Then I remembered how I tend to feel comfortable allowing people to have SOME, as long as they don't get as much as or more than I have myself. So I decided to pray without holding back. And I said "God give them every bit as much wisdom as you've given me." <-- it was that particular sentence that God brought to my remembrance. and he said "You didn't say I couldn't put you in AS the mayor." ... Which meant, by default, that the mayor (and council) would automatically receive the benefit of exactly as much wisdom as I had... because I WAS the mayor. (It's also an inside joke because I'd said something like that to him in another prayer).

So I served my terms and left when God had someone else elected instead of myself. And if you are wondering...Yes, it was a good run and we accomplished much.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

Matthew 22:16-21
They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Doesn't matter who you vote for.It's spiritual Egypt/Babylon.I find it weird when politicians say that their party is God driven,or some other statement like that,when money,power is the figure head.

 

[Zmouth]

Matthew 22:16-21
They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Doesn't matter who you vote for.It's spiritual Egypt/Babylon.I find it weird when politicians say that their party is God driven,or some other statement like that,when money,power is the figure head.

You know why Jesus called them hypocrites don't you?

There's a penny in it for you if you know the answer to the question "Whose image and superscription is this?"

 

[NayborBear]

Politics is not the domain of the true Christian.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are of God.
We are to obey the law of the land and to be good citizens, that is all.
But we should not get involved in political activity.

My kingdom is not of this world.

The world belongs to Satan. It is corrupt and violent.
No political choices or activism will save the world from itself.
Rather the whole point of Christianity is to become separate from the
world and not to conform to worldly values, passions and lusts.
We are to be ambassadors for Jesus and the gospel.

If you have voluntary voting then don't vote.
Here in Australia we have compulsory voting so I need to turn up
at a polling booth and cast a vote. But I do not take it seriously because
they are all as self-serving and worldly as each other.

Your job is to be a light shining bright in a dark world and to preach the
good news of salvation.
This world will burn regardless of who is in the White House.

Psalm 110King James Version (KJV)

110 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Yeah? Just another "Brit." with his hand on the range, telling all the "good lobsters?" "It's alright!" "Looks like you all, are getting cold!" "It's for your OWN good!"

 

[crossnote]

Doesn't matter who you vote for.It's spiritual Egypt/Babylon.

So you would have just as well voted for Hitler as Paul von Hindenburg in Germany 1932?

 

[tourist]

God wouldn't vote for anyone. He alone appoints all those in positions of authority, regardless whether this person is perceived to be good or bad, to suit His ultimate purpose which is to benefit those that He loves.

 

[Socreta93]

"He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself." - C.S. Lewis

 

[crossnote]

God wouldn't vote for anyone. He alone appoints all those in positions of authority, regardless whether this person is perceived to be good or bad, to suit His ultimate purpose which is to benefit those that He loves.

True, God sets up rulers and tears down rulers but also he guides the means by which they are set up (voting or dictatorial rule etc.).

Rom 13:1
(1) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

 

[shrume]

God wouldn't vote for anyone. He alone appoints all those in positions of authority, regardless whether this person is perceived to be good or bad, to suit His ultimate purpose which is to benefit those that He loves.

Do you believe God is responsible for putting Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Un, etc, into power?

Can you explain how those wicked leaders benefited (or benefit, in the case of Kim Jong Un) those God loves?

 

[tourist]

Do you believe God is responsible for putting Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Un, etc, into power?

Can you explain how those wicked leaders benefited (or benefit, in the case of Kim Jong Un) those God loves?

Nothing happens by chance with God. This is a fact.

Based on what the scriptures say, yes, I believe that God is responsible for putting all leaders into power. A more descriptive and accurate term may be 'allows'. Personally, I can't see how the monsters that you listed benefitted anyone but God had a reason for doing so or He would not have appointed these people. It says in the book of John that God is love, so yes again, it has to ultimately be for His glory and benefits those that He loves.

Romans 13.1
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

1 Peter 2:13-17
For the Lord's sake, submit to all human authority, whether the king as head of state, or the officials He has appointed.