I highly recommend that you watch John Piper's, seven-minute video entitled: Thoughts on Voting and Politics. I've embedded the video at the end of this post. I've also provided a link to Justin Taylor's remarks about Piper's video. While both are pre-election commentary, they are still critically relevant.
I am enrolled in two classes in seminary at the moment. One is a theology class on the doctrine of God. I have just finished a study on the doctrine of God's providence. I am also taking a class on the so called, "silent years" of the Jewish people; the intertestamental period. It covers that period in which Israel fell into captivity and found herself living among the influence of paganism, the incursion of Hellenism and finally Roman occupation. Ultimately, their city, their temple and their national identity was destroyed. Why? In short, because they failed to obey God. They repeatedly turned to idolatry in spite of the prophets' warnings. Using biblical language, they prostituted themselves.
So how is this relevant for us in light of the election? The concern is that our newly elected President and Congress are altogether hostile to a Christian world view and ethics. Issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and the installation of an extremely liberal Supreme Court are matters of grave concern. The responses are varied within the Christian community. Some are exuberant having supported President Elect Obama. Other reactions range from indifference to despair and anger. Many remember Romans 8:28 which says, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." But is it enough to simply rest in that assurance? Romans 8:28 is not a license for idleness. Rather it is an encouragement and warning against fear and anxiety. So then, is there a proper Christian response?
We would be mistaken to look at history like that of Israel's and that of our own as merely the chronicling of events. Rather, history is the outworking of God's providence over time. Regarding providence, one theologian states, it is God's directing of all things to their appointed end.1 We are not deists that believe that God has no active role in the events of history. Nor are we fatalists that subjugate all events to an impersonal fate, as though we have no part in their outcome. To be sure, God chose the leadership for America and we certainly played our part - good and bad.
That said, one would think that we might learn from our history. I couldn't help but consider points made by both Taylor and Piper. Taylor, in agreement with Piper, remarks, "Politics can easily become a source of idolatry. We are dual citizens with a higher allegiance to the City of God. If our candidate loses, we should not grieve as the world grieves." I would add that we should not fear as the world fears. The question must be asked, have we, the church in America, prostituted ourselves and placed our faith in everything but God alone? Have we shifted our allegiance from God's kingdom to that of the world's? I am speaking of our actions prior to this election. I believe we have. Consider:
- We have placed our faith in political might rather than in the sovereignty of God
- We have vigorously pursued social change through political activism at the neglect of changed hearts through the love of Christ
- We have fought to protect our comfort, but have been unwilling to step out into darkness to be light
- We have failed to reflect the Gospel in the pulpits of our churches and in the pulpits of our lives
- We have stopped preaching truth, but instead made inspirational speeches to help us feel better about ourselves
- We do not preach holiness and obedience; we are more concerned with attaining knowledge and/or filling our pews
- We have bought into the lie of fear. We have Christian organizations to foster it, rather than fostering the truth and the hope we have in Christ
- We have concerned ourselves with life in America, and have forgotten about life in the Kingdom
- We would rather listen to Rush Limbaugh then to John Piper or many of the other numerous teachers of God's word
- We will spend hours watching TV or surfing the net, but can't spare a few minutes reading Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis or much less, our Bibles
- We, fathers, ignore God's clear commands to raise our own children; we have delegated that role to youth pastors, school teachers and to our wives who have essentially become single moms
I could go on. If there is any question as to whether we have stood on the corner and whored ourselves away,the answer is a clear, yes!
For eight years we have failed to use political influence redemptively and we neglected kingdom advancement. It is no surprise that Christianity in America is declining while other religions have grown, all on our watch! 2 We have shifted our focus from the Gospel and the advancing of God's kingdom to issues of the world.
And so it would seem that God in His infinite wisdom has handed that power to another who will lead us - Barak Obama, God's servant for these times. In a sense, conservative Christianity has been exiled. Perhaps we should seriously consider Piper's assertion that issues like abortion are not those for which we will be judged, but that they ARE the judgement.
The main issue for all Christians now is this question. How do we respond? Will we respond fearfully (as some already have) or will we repent, turn from idolatry and make the Gospel our passion? Will we be consumed by a renewed and intensified political activism or by the Great Commission? Will we be absorbed by the desires of this world or, by the grace of God, will we strive to live lives of holiness? I pray our response is the latter on all counts. I hope we realize that by stripping from us our idol of political might, God has freed us to participate in His redemptive program; what an honor! Let us not despair but be joyful; let us not fear but be encouraged; let us not be angry but instead let us rejoice for God has handed us a great opportunity to partake in the advancement of His kingdom. Will we answer that call or will we remain on the path leading to exile?
This week our pastor encouraged us with this great truth:
Jesus still sits on His throne!
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
1 Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 4th ed. (Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1941), 166.
2 There are mixed opinions and reports on this trend. Some would claim that Christianity is on the rise. I suppose if one counts the Oprah Winfrey form of Christianity we could agree that it is growing at monumental rates.
disclaimer: I do not condone the notion that as Christians we have not the right nor responsibility to exercise our civic duties to partake in the political process. On the contrary, it is both necessary and required of us.
John Piper's Heart in the 2008 Election
Justin Taylor Comments on Piper Video