Chris and I just walked back from Mt. Rushmore where we had lunch and watched the rally in preparation for the important vote next week. Let me first say that I am very, very pro-life, that I believe marriage is a life-long covenant relationship between a man and a woman, and that I believe that legalized gambling perpetuates poverty. These are three of the issues that are being voted on in South Dakota next week, and the issues of most concern to evangelicals. I also believe that Christians should exercise responsibility in voting on these issues with a goal to protect unborn lives, uphold the biblical concept of marriage, and oppose laws that facilitate the cycle of poverty.
But there were still some troubling things about the rally.
First, it was repeated in various ways and forms that America will lose its privileged status with God if we don't legislate righteousness. It was righteousness for the sake of prosperity rather than righteousness because we follow Jesus.
Second, there was a lot of mingling of nationalism with generic teaching about God. Many Old Testament verses about God's covenant with Israel were repeated in the American context. We were regularly urged to 'conquer the land' (complete with verses from the book of Joshua).
Third, there was a lot of fear-mongering of what would happen if we don't get involved politically.
Of all the speakers, Dr. Dobson was the most responsible. He spoke reasonably, presented the facts, outlined a clear course of action and refrained from linking white, middle class, American culture with the kingdom of God. However, at one point he read through a list of issues facing Americans. When he mentioned being pro-life there was applause. Good. When he mentioned biblical marriage covenants there was applause. Good. When he mentioned support for the American troops in Iraq there was a standing ovation. Huh?
I'm not debating the rightness or wrongness of America's involvement in Iraq (I'll leave that for another day!). But the fact that this issue would generate a standing ovation revealed to me what this is all about. It's a culture war. It's about defending a concept of what the American way of life should be like. And we believe God is on our side. I agree with the moral positions of those who gathered at Mt. Rushmore, but I don't share their motivation.
I'm not afraid of what will happen to America. I'm not afraid losing economic, political or military power. 'Some trust in horses and chariots, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.' God's work will continue. He can even use exile (marginalization) and persecution to accomplish his means. I'm not afraid that the church will be destroyed. Jesus promised to build his church and if the gates of hell will not prevail against it, why do we fear the Democrats? These rallies trouble me because the fear tactics weaken faith in God and encourage us to trust in man. They trouble me because linking the success of a particular political agenda with experiencing the continued blessing of God is not only the message of certain Christians, it is the message of Hezballah as well.
If you are voting in South Dakota, vote for life. But do it as a disciple of Jesus and not to 'take back the land' or usher in the kindgom of God. Do what the speakers this morning encouraged you to do, but don't do it for the reasons they gave.
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2 comments:
"I'm not afraid of what will happen to America. I'm not afraid losing economic, political or military power."
That's a good point ... I would tend to believe that the majority of leaders at the rally would agree with that sentiment in that God will always provide and He is stronger and more sure than any of these things. Having said that, I'm not sure that they're anxious to be the servant who squandered his talents either. If I were a leader at the rally, my concern would be "are we as christians being good stewards of the opportunity and resources provided in this country?"
The United States is a great country, with much to offer the world, with much to sacrifice, and with much to be accountable for. As history would have it, we are a nation of laws. The proper introduction of those laws takes place through legislation adopted by those in government, by those who receive the greatest number of votes. We have an obligation to vote in such a way that advances the kingdom of God, regardless of the fact that those receiving our vote may not be believers or regardless of how misguided some who are voting with us may be. It is not putting trust in politicians or in the economy rather than God, it is merely being a good steward of the legal system that was endowed to us by our Creator.
I wasn't there at the rally and I'm not able to discern the motives of the speakers, but my assumption would be that the "fear mongering" was more of a reminder of what we will be held accountable for than what we stand to lose personally. Maybe that's not the case, again, I wasn't there.
As to the applause at the point of mentioning our troops in Iraq, I'm reminded of a quote by Mel Gibson (I know, you're thinking "drunk anti-semite", but this was in the movie) in "We Were Soldiers". In the movie he portrays a colonel who is praying with one of his soldiers in a chapel prior to being sent off to battle. He says, to loosely quote, "Lord, protect us from the enemy and hear our prayers ... and ... oh yeah Lord, please ignore their heathen prayers and help us destroy the #@$%ers ..."
You're right ... both sides may feel that their god is with them ... this may be a "culture" war. A war where we have one side that is trying to free and protect those that cannot do for themselves and one side that is trying to create a subordinate population, constantly punished and abused. Do we have a responsibility to protect the widows and orphans with our resources? Even if those resources amount to misguided politicians? If we are poor stewards, do we stand to lose future allocations of "talents"? If we are to obey the leaders God has placed over us, and we have a say in who those leaders are and what their values should be, shouldn't we be afraid of not being involved in this God-approved process? Some may call it fear-mongering, I call it a recognition of consequences.
Thanks for your comments, and congradulations on being the first to leave a comment on this blog! I get personal emails sent, but it's nice to see some dialogue here.
I fully agree in responsibility to vote according to the will of God regardless of the motives of others, and I fully agree with the positions taken by the speakers. If I lived in South Dakota, I'd vote as they encouraged me to vote. As you pointed out, voting responsibly is an issue of stewardship.
What I might take issue with is the statement, 'We have an obligation to vote in such a way that advances the kingdom of God.' Jesus announced that the Kingdom is here and he invites us to join it. We do not advance the kingdom of God, we enter it. It is the idea of advancing that may distort our priorities in ministry. (Some translations like the NIV translate Mat. 11:12 to say that the kingdom of God is advancing forcibly, but this is not the most accurate translation. NASB and NKJV are closer to the actual meaning.) The kingdom of God is in the hearts of men and women who have submitted to the rule of God.
I struggle with the idea that we can bring about the kingdom of God through political means. Living in Islamic countries for so long influenced my thinking on this. This does not mean we don't vote righteously, it just means that we do it as followers of Jesus and not to bring about His kingdom. Discipleship - helping people live personally under the reign of Christ - is the way the kingdom manifests itself in this world.
Dallas Willard's 'The Divine Conspiracy' has also influenced my thinking on this.
My problem with some of the speaches yesterday was that they implied that America is some type of 'City on a Hill' (though no one used those words). The people of God are the city on a hill as we live as an alternative to the power structures and values of this world.
Granted, the people who spoke were trying to rally votes and would most likely agree that we can trust God in all areas of life. And hopefully we remember that while we must vote responsibly, ultimately the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. Discipleship, not political activism (on the left or the right), is the Church's unique contribution to the world.
Thanks again.
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