A political junkie goes to church
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I have also become more involved in this election than I would have ever imagined for myself. I have gone to rallies, shook a candidate’s hand and spent a few hours canvassing neighborhoods and writing postcards to voters. I have even hung signs in my office and my yard.
Does this interest and engagement with politics interfere with my faith in God or being a disciple of Jesus? Have I replaced my faith in God with faith in a human or our government? Well, I keep asking myself that, testing my motives and where my hopes lie. I pray that I remain faithful to my highest calling that far surpasses being a U.S. citizen: being a child of God.
And there are temptations – as in any area of our lives and especially in such areas of competition – to vilify those we disagree with (candidates or fellow voters), to forget that candidates are imperfect human beings (though they give us ample opportunity to be reminded) or to falsely believe that a favorite candidate winning is the solution. In those moments when I have fallen to temptation, I must repent.
I believe that the Church is the vessel that God works to bring reconciliation in the world and build the Kingdom. I am also aware that who the country and local communities elect to be president, governor, representative or a local judge do matter to our lives here on earth – particularly to people on the margins of our society. Examples: who can enter this country, what quality of education is available for children, how much we pay in taxes, whether we resolve international conflicts with force or diplomacy…and I could go on and on. My reading of the Bible leads me to believe that God and Jesus paid particularly attention to these people on the margins, so maybe I should too.
What I have come to know for myself is that I need to be engaged in this process, despite its flaws, weaknesses and faults. And when it is over, I also know that my role as a Christian will be to speak truth to power, seeking greater justice and peace in this world that the Kingdom of God may be realized – whomever is elected.
Yes, faith and politics are certainly connected. I agree wholeheartedly. Recently, I’ve been thinking about the barrier between the church and politics (or lack thereof). I was really surprised this morning to hear the local Christian radio station advertising for certain candidates and promoting certain political views. In my community, large Christian bodies (church, radio) certainly encourage political involvement, but generally won’t go much deeper than that into political issues. This leaves me with more of a question than a comment… what place (if any) do issues of government politics have in the church? Should we keep them separate or are they inseparable?
Posted by Jennifer Imhoff, on May 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am