The Elephant (or Donkey) in the Room

Thinking politically.  We can hardly get away from it this season!  So where do we start?  We hope to have our politics thoroughly baptized in a biblical mindset.  Still we find that serious Christ-followers can often come down with divergent political positions.  One  reason: just how the Bible speaks to our society on parties and policies is often not as clear as we’d wish.

The Old Testament has plenty of precedent and law for a “theocracy” – a country given freedom by God’s deliverance and governed by a divinely appointed king.  (And still, Israel’s history shows too many unsuccessful administrations!)             

Many of Israel’s laws were specific.  From the Ten Commandments and hundreds of others, we see a society called to justice and freedom and goodness, along with protection and help for the poor and disadvantaged.  Certainly standards for any people.   As the prophets declare accountability for other nations. 

But we in the USA find ourselves in a different situation – a democracy, welcoming residents from all kinds of places and beliefs.  Most of us would agree that some Old Testament law, reflecting these principles, still applies for our nation.  But which other laws (beyond those regulating diet and Sabbath and foreign religions) are intended for the state?  Or for the church?

The New Testament period comes under a vastly contrasting government.  Mostly, a dictatorship often hostile toward the Christian movement.  Still, believers were called to respect and obey the rule of law (except when there was a direct conflict with our first loyalty to Christ).  For even a political system so at odds with Christian faith, nevertheless limited crime and kept the peace.  So letters of Paul and Peter say to pray for the government, without instructions for improving it.

In such a diverse democracy, strongly informed by biblical principles, what do we look for in leaders?  “David shepherded them with integrity of heart and with skillful hands” (Psalm 78).  Character and trust matter.  As well as the wisdom of experience.  And policies that give opportunity to the majority while protecting the minority.  With as much governance as we need, but not too much!  And preserving peace, here and around the world.  Believing that the good Lord can preserve us despite the weaknesses of whoever is elected.  As his people respect one another, while demonstrating a goodness that goes beyond the law.