Christians and Politics
Just some questions swirling around in my head.
1. How do we as Christians fit into politics? Should we run for political office? If so, what should our political views be?
2. How do terms like “fiscally conservative” and “socially liberal” play into our everyday lives? Does social liberal mean caring for others?
3. How can a Christian claim to be Pro-Choice?
4. Can we separate our call from God and our call of man? Should we?
May 19th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Good grief, do you think you could have just stopped at the first one or two. That is too much swirling up there.
I was a child of a father in politics. I don’t remember much about the stances he took except to rid an office of the corruption. Not sure I still understand what happened but I do know my friend’s dad lost his job and someone attempted to kidnap me for something my father was doing. He stirred up a big mess when he was elected.
I hear folks claim their views but then I see them state them as views only when elected and move to the pressure of the people or the senior officials or the money. I used to think I wanted to be President but I have no desire to do that anymore. I know that I am not someone who can change a nation or a state or even a city. I can only take the approach to change a life for God when the opportunity arises. That is where I separate myself from the call of man for my call from God.
May 20th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I don’t want to have a “tone” here, so these are my short answers:
1) We fit into politics nicely if, we tell the truth and keep our word and do not cotradict scripture or church teaching.
2) The system of justice must be upheld for everyone, particularly the overlooked or abandoned. The church needs to take back the “walefare” role from the government.
3) A Christian CANNOT be pro-choice.
4) Many do but, we should not, didn’t Jesus teach us to love God and love our neighbor. We separate these two commands and we should not, they go hand in hand.
May 20th, 2006 at 10:17 am
that would be “welfare”….sorry
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:03 pm
I agree with Cami, just one of those questions would be enough to deal with! I think that we should run for office if that is what God calls you to do, individually. It can be a very honorable thing to do and it is definately service to others, if done right. Our political views, like everything else, coincide with the Bible (I know that this sounds really childish and over-used, but that is the best way that I can say it.) The social issues are a little bit more difficult. I think that Tim is right when he said that the church needs to take back the welfare role. I think that when the government does it, althought the desire is to help (and it does many times), I think that a lot of times it just enables people to take advantage of others by not working, etc. The Bible is very clear that if you are able, and don’t provide for your family, or work, then God is REALLY not happy! The church, on the other hand, should be in touch more with its members, and the community in order to “screen” (for lack of a better term) people as far as needs, etc. The only problem is that churches tend to think that they are not being “Christian” if they say no, so that can be a problem too. As far as the choice issue, I really don’t see how a growing Christian that is in touch with the Holy Spirit inside can be pro-choice. Of course there are denominations that are ordaining homosexual ministers and I don’t understand that either . . . but that is a different conversation! As far as the last, just go back to the two greatest commandments . . . as they say, “’nuff said!”
May 22nd, 2006 at 3:35 pm
I am REALLY bad about throwing around blanket statements but I also enjoy disproving them. I went a round or two with Tim on his statement that a person could not be a Christian and be pro-life.
As my thoughts left my mouth I had to admit (to my self) that my argument was pretty lame. I was NOT arguing in favor of being pro-choice but rather trying to leave room for the occasion that someone could be a believer and just not have a good understanding of that issue yet. But then in the world that we live in, I’m convinced even those who deny it still know deep down that to be pro-choice is to be anti-life …. On whatever end of that issue you choose from abortion-to- euthanasia.
So I’m just wondering maybe instead of focusing on the word “pro choice” the key word to zoom in on is Christian.
A Christian is far more than just someone who prayed a prayer once and maybe even got baptized. A Christian is more than just someone who goes to church. By definition it even goes farther than a follower of Christ.
A Christian is someone who LIVES according to the teachings of Jesus; someone whose life manifests the qualities or spirit of Jesus.
There were a lot of people who followed Jesus around from one miracle to the next, even from one teaching “session” to the next. Today there are alot of people who still follow Jesus around – wherever they expect He might show up at one church or another, a Christian concert or conference. Even today, just as during his earthly life, there are still fewer to press in beyond the miracles and the great teachings times, who press in for understanding, who press in to know Him more deeply, to press in and ask the questions and be changed by the answers. If a person does that then there life will DEFINITELY be impacted, and changed. For the person who does that, their life will increasingly manifest the qualities and spirit of Jesus; they will LIVE according to his teachings.
So in that sense – by that definition of a Christian, I think I have to agree that a person cannot be a Christian and be pro-life.
as for the rest…..whatcha thinkin about running for? I’d probably vote for ya!
May 22nd, 2006 at 9:15 pm
Ordinarily I’d just let it go knowing that most of you would know that I
mis-spoke but this is too important an issue to make that assumption.
This is just more evidence that anything with a sharp blade, engine or a keyboard should not be operated by sleep deprived people!
What I meant to say in the following 2 statements was “pro-choice”
NOT “pro-life”
I went a round or two with Tim on his statement that a person could not be a Christian and be pro-life.
So in that sense – by that definition of a Christian, I think I have to agree that a person cannot be a Christian and be pro-life.
May 24th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Deanna, the only thing I would run for is the hills. But thanks for the encouragement.