Writtien October 2, 2016
Part I: The Christian Vote
In the wake of our nation’s presidential election, one can almost feel the collective panic of God’s church within our country. Who should we vote for? What Is permissible to overlook? How can I vote for a political leader that opposes fundamental biblical truths? Would my vote be pleasing and honoring to God? These questions represent multitudinous concerns felt by Bible Believing Christians that lead to Political Election Voting Insecurity Syndrome. P.E.V.I.S occurs when Bible Believing Christians feel overwhelmed by the nuances of everything that goes into voting well. As a result, we develop a frozen posture towards politics. This ultimately leads down a path of voting without confidence; or worse, completely displacing ourselves from participation altogether.
The Complexity of Political Jargon
Statistics reveal that Christians are more overwhelmed with the political voting process than compared to any other period of time throughout US history. In fact, when the elections ensue, it’s almost as if we enter into a temporary parallel universe in which language and ideas suddenly transform into incomprehensible jargon; virtually impossible to absorb. As the political race develops, awkward vocabulary such as ‘out on the hustings,’ or ‘bellwether seat‘ are thrown around rather casually. It’s as if the political parties assume average Americans are using these terms at the local barbershop. Can’t you see? The intentional insensitivity to common American vernacular and the sophistication of political jargon will always eventuate into less engagement from everyday Christian Americans. Unfortunately, vocabulary-based barriers are only the beginning of our struggle to navigate across the political landscape.
The Complexity of Christian Voting on Specific Bills
P.E.V.I.S demonstrably ‘shows its hand’ when we attempt to vote on major social justice issues that are filled with solutional complexities. And while tackling fiery subjects such as ISIS and racial inequality would be time well spent in this post; the unfortunate proverbial blockades that sprout up between people usually stop helpful conversations from developing. Instead, let us cover a heavily discussed subject within Christian circles such as the ‘Pro- life’ agenda. Is not our introductory thoughts centralized fundamentally around opposing abortion? Considering our Christian ethics, would we not confidently vote for bills, political parties, agendas, and candidates that are supportive of pro-life? But is it really that simple? I’m afraid not. We must not approach voting policies with a blasé disposition.
You see, every woman that elects to subject themselves to an abortion is not a promiscuous woman who desires to avoid responsibility. The teenage girl who is ill-prepared for motherhood; opting to abort her baby so she can ‘follow her dreams’; is not representative of the complexities often associated with abortion either. You and I must flee from surface-level thinking and courageously press into the difficult. What about victims of rape? Have we considered the deformity of children in the womb? With advanced technology holding the capability of diagnosing horrible deformities prior to a baby’s inception into our world, should we not afford parents the option to abort their child from a life of unspeakable suffering? Surely the ‘Christian thing’ to do in both examples above would be to grant the mother an abortion right? Otherwise, are we really asking that couple to usher their deformed baby into a life of out-and-out pain and suffering? Are we really prepared to demand a woman to birth and a raise a child that came by way of a violent rape episode? Issues such as these are why there are a host of authentic Bible Believing Christians who waiver eminently concerning abortion. What are we to do? My aim is not to answer this question today, but rather to challenge you to think critically about issues that means so much to our society.
You see, every woman that elects to subject themselves to an abortion is not a promiscuous woman who desires to avoid responsibility. The teenage girl who is ill-prepared for motherhood; opting to abort her baby so she can ‘follow her dreams’; is not representative of the complexities often associated with abortion either. You and I must flee from surface-level thinking and courageously press into the difficult. What about victims of rape? Have we considered the deformity of children in the womb? With advanced technology holding the capability of diagnosing horrible deformities prior to a baby’s inception into our world, should we not afford parents the option to abort their child from a life of unspeakable suffering? Surely the ‘Christian thing’ to do in both examples above would be to grant the mother an abortion right? Otherwise, are we really asking that couple to usher their deformed baby into a life of out-and-out pain and suffering? Are we really prepared to demand a woman to birth and a raise a child that came by way of a violent rape episode? Issues such as these are why there are a host of authentic Bible Believing Christians who waiver eminently concerning abortion. What are we to do? My aim is not to answer this question today, but rather to challenge you to think critically about issues that means so much to our society.
Yet Complexities Run Deeper
Perhaps abortion is a straightforward concept to you. In your mind, you may ruminate that God is decisively clear on this subject…and perhaps He is. But there are other issues of complexities beyond the pro-life agenda right? How are we to make conscientious decisions that address the assessment of health budgets, state, national, and international defense policies? How far is too far when protecting our borders? Should we vote alongside bills that are a conduit to the extraction of illegal aliens…sometimes at the cost of their very lives? Let us not overlook highly complex issues such as welfare policies. Finding solutions to help those who are in poverty is not simple.
Voting is Difficult….Having a Christ-Centered Vote is Even More Daunting
Can’t you see? Formulating and then administering a Christian vote with confidence is terribly daunting for all the reasons mentioned above. And if voting well proves arduous even within an area that many Christians actually agree upon (namely pro life agendas); it would seem unquantifiable to measure the worthiness of a presidential candidate. Especially when considering he or she is the embodiment of an entire host of convictions and agendas that may or may not align with your Christian ethics and morals. Even if a presidential candidate keeps all of their promises (by the way, none have or will ever do so) and there actually was a candidate who completely lined up with your biblical convictions (no man or woman actually does or will)… still, he or she would undoubtedly create new bills throughout their presidency that completely stand at variance with your conscience. So what are we to do?
Political Election Voting Insecurity Syndrome is Plaguing Our Churches Across America
Our insecurity towards voting on political matters with Christ-centered confidence does not come from unknown origins. When investigating where this systemic issue permeates from, look no further than to the church. The church’s taciturn approach to politics pointedly displays P.E.V.I.S; unveiling the systemic quandary surrounding ‘life decisions’ that are not explicitly covered in Scripture. The failure to provide consistent exegetical teaching to the body of Christ is a critical stumbling block; not only when considering politics, but for an entire host of ethical and moral issues that plague our society. The failure of the church to raise people that think deeply regarding the ‘things’ of God has directly facilitated the oscillatory nature of our political convictions. And beware of the danger associated with the church that approaches the political landscape with a modus operandi that is lackadaisical. For when the church abandons their God-given responsibility to serve as truth bearers in all things of God (and everything under the sun is of God), we quickly fall prey to a counterfeit gospel; manifesting itself within a counterfeit church potentially filled by counterfeit Christians.
The Misplaced Desire for Comfort, Safety, and Prosperity Has Blinded Many of Our Spiritual Leaders from Doing That Which They Ought to Do
Now don’t confuse this proclamation. The desire for comfort is a worthy desire. Working towards personal and congregational safety is a virtuous goal. Prosperity should be prayed for. The ability to desire each of these things are good gifts from God. But when good desires become ultimate motivations for our life, we no longer possess the foundational fortitude needed to act upon that which makes us distinctly different from our unbelieving neighbor. Choosing to maintain a silent posture on everything coming from Washington DC is a terrible judgment call for our spiritual leaders to make.
Unfortunately, this issue manifests itself through many of our spiritual preachers, teachers, and elders throughout our churches. As a millennial pastor myself, I can personally attest to this truth. Societal pressure to specifically conform Christianity to mainstream culture has successfully infiltrated the heart of many of our spiritual leaders. While other religions and social parties boldly proclaim their political convictions; modeling to their people authoritative-confidence; Christian leaders often succumb to the P.E.V.I.S, resulting in many electing to disengage from the subject of politics altogether within their congregation.
Unfortunately, this issue manifests itself through many of our spiritual preachers, teachers, and elders throughout our churches. As a millennial pastor myself, I can personally attest to this truth. Societal pressure to specifically conform Christianity to mainstream culture has successfully infiltrated the heart of many of our spiritual leaders. While other religions and social parties boldly proclaim their political convictions; modeling to their people authoritative-confidence; Christian leaders often succumb to the P.E.V.I.S, resulting in many electing to disengage from the subject of politics altogether within their congregation.
“There are too many political complexities for me to preach and teach my congregation with confidence… what if they don’t agree? What if they leave?”
How many of our spiritual leaders quietly preach this sermon to their own hearts? Fearing division amongst their congregation; many pastors are increasingly timid. The great tragedy is that these pastors miss their opportunity to press into a type of God given confidence that comes from a robust understanding of scripture; trusting upon the inerrancy of God’s word. Choosing to maintain a silent posture on everything coming from Washington DC is a terrible judgment call for our spiritual leaders to make. But why is this misjudgment so prevalent amongst our pastors? Because seeking approval from our congregations often usurps the priority and peace that SHOULD come from holding fast to God’s infallible word as our favorable hope above all. Although it feels safer to avoid these topics in our churches…while it may create a more comfortable atmosphere on our campuses…and even though we may experience temporary prosperity from political avoidance…ultimately, we relinquish the opportunity to become influencers within the very arena that directly governs the atmosphere and societal climate of tomorrow’s generation.
Can’t you see? If our spiritual leaders refuse to courageously teach their congregations how to confidently engage in politics as a Christian voter, how are families ever supposed to overcome their political election voting insecurities? Fear within the church perpetuates the fear inside the Christian home, perpetuating the fear inside ourselves personally. Do we not want this syndrome from our churches through our homes to terminate? What can possibly serve as a sufficient remedy? Is there a viable way to navigate through the ethical and biblical complexities that come bubble wrapped with politics? With egregious proclamations spewing from every political camp, how should we as Bible Believing Christians decipher through all the noise? First for ourselves, and then for our children; who represent our future as beacons of light across this murky ocean of political elections? This is my hope for the next two blogs of this series. First to help you learn how to engage and vote with Christ-centered confidence. Then we will thoroughly examine the Word of God as I aim to provide biblical support and additional resources to help you leverage your vote in a God-honoring way. But first things first; let us eagerly anticipate the next blog post as we first explore what this Christ-centered “confidence” is all about in Part Two.
Can’t you see? If our spiritual leaders refuse to courageously teach their congregations how to confidently engage in politics as a Christian voter, how are families ever supposed to overcome their political election voting insecurities? Fear within the church perpetuates the fear inside the Christian home, perpetuating the fear inside ourselves personally. Do we not want this syndrome from our churches through our homes to terminate? What can possibly serve as a sufficient remedy? Is there a viable way to navigate through the ethical and biblical complexities that come bubble wrapped with politics? With egregious proclamations spewing from every political camp, how should we as Bible Believing Christians decipher through all the noise? First for ourselves, and then for our children; who represent our future as beacons of light across this murky ocean of political elections? This is my hope for the next two blogs of this series. First to help you learn how to engage and vote with Christ-centered confidence. Then we will thoroughly examine the Word of God as I aim to provide biblical support and additional resources to help you leverage your vote in a God-honoring way. But first things first; let us eagerly anticipate the next blog post as we first explore what this Christ-centered “confidence” is all about in Part Two.
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
To learn more about The God who’s ready to walk with you click HERE
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!