Post Election Thoughts

As we await the final votes to be tallied  from Tuesday’s election, here are few thoughts I came across on faceook, that are worthy of our consideration, as we  view politics and government from a Christian worldview.

Jim Denison, from his column The Denison Forum shared these insights about the relationship between culture, politics and religion.

In a democracy, we are tempted to invest politics with the same power and authority we have assigned to science, asking our leaders to “subdue reality” to the wishes of those who elect them. But politics in a democracy cannot solve our greatest problems because leaders are elected by voters to do what voters want, and voters are just as fallen as the leaders they elect.

What, then, is the answer to our deepest challenges and needs? Richard John Neuhaus observed: “Culture is the root of politics, and religion is the root of culture.” This is why renewing America requires renewing America’s religion.

I often quote from George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address because this observation is so critical for our nation: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports” (my emphasis). Here’s the problem: in our secularized, post-Christian, even anti-Christian culture, many would divorce religion from morality. As I noted recently, more Americans think morality should be based on “what you feel in your heart” than any other source, including the Bible.

Doy Moyer, Gospel preacher and Chair of Liberal Studies at Florida College posted this observation and challenge.

“It is clear that America is not united. And it isn’t the political division per se that is the real problem; it’s the moral division. There is no moral consensus because there is no moral standard. For decades our nation has drunk deeply from the well for subjectivism, humanism, and moral relativism. And now we are proudly bloated on our own lack of values. But it’s not just America. It’s the world.”

“Yet, fellow Christians, what else do we expect? Do we think that the world, for all its denial of God and godly values, will suddenly restore itself? Will the philosophies of mere men result in that which glorifies God? Hardly. And never will it be so.”

“Make no mistake. We will reap what we sow. But now here is the challenge for us all. Will we sow the word of God? If anything, Christians ought to be even more acutely aware of their God-given responsibility to spread the kingdom of God. The problem of this world is the problem of sin, and that will be manifested in all areas, including the leaders we choose and the lifestyles we accept and glorify.:

“Now, more than ever, the words of Jesus should be ringing in our ears: ‘Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God'” (Luke 9:60).

My preaching colleague and fellow blogger, Roger Shouse offered this needed exhortation from Jump Starts Daily.

“We must be prayerful towards our leaders. We may not like them. But much too often we’d rather complain about them, post mean things on social media about them, talk down about them than pray for them. Can you imagine praying for a Caesar? Take your pick of them. None of them would fit our liking. Yet, the apostle urged, begged, pleaded, with brethren to be praying for them. I wonder if our times would be better if we prayed more for our leaders?”

So, my friends, let us live for the Lord. Be the Good News. Share the Good News. Be light. Be salt. And pray.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman