Monday
Jan232006
Which party is God's party?
Monday, January 23, 2006 at 10:29AM
Warning: controversial political post ahead. The past couple of days, I've had a few people tell me that the Conservatives are God's party for this election. They've also told me that Paul Martin and the Liberals are enemies of God, mostly because of their position on same-sex marriage and abortion. (I have to admit that Martin tends to dismiss and demonize anyone who agrees with him on these issues.) I'm always surprised when Christians get too excited about any political party. Faith should enter into our politics, but no Christian party is going to win this election, nor would I want them to. We live in a pluralistic democracy, not a theocracy, and I don't long for a return to Christendom. Constantine should have taught us something. The people I talk to usually raise two issues:
- Abortion - Marc writes:
There are two different messages that I would like to issue to the Canadian public: 1. To conservative evangelicals: abortion is not an issue in this election or at all at a governmental level. 2. To left-leaning Canadians: abortion is not an issue in this election or at all at a governmental level. How about everybody stops hinging their votes and non-votes on a non-issue?
I'd love to see an intelligent debate on third-trimester abortion one day - something that should be discussed even if you are pro-choice - but in this election, it's not even on the table. - Same-sex marriage - I'd prefer civil unions, but this issue raises questions for me about Christian faith in a pluralistic society.
- "The Bible calls us to live by Biblical standards, not to impose these standards on other people." I often wonder why we spend so much time trying to get those who aren't Christians to live by Christian standards, especially when we have our hands full trying to conform our own lives to Biblical standards.
- "If you want to vote as a Christian, which party represents the greatest window of hope for the poor? That is what is primary in God's economy." Greg went on to say that people who take this question seriously might end up voting for any of the major parties, but that is the issue we should care about as Christians.
Recognizing that we have a kingdom destiny, that we are sown by Christ to be the "good seed" of the new order (Mt 13:38), let us consider how we can adopt a kingdom focus as we relate to the world around us. I believe the hour is upon us—as it came upon Joshua when he looked to enter Jericho (Josh. 5:13-15)—to repent of all partisan, sectarian, and "pet" doctrinal and political persuasions; to humbly regather ourselves unto the person of Christ; and to pray in a simple but wholehearted way, "Thy kingdom come!" For, biblically, this is our primary and transcendent mandate for prayer.
Reader Comments (20)
Good post. It has actually helped me in my decision, which is wonderful. Thanks for quoting me...although now I have a horrible grammatical error permanently recorded on the internet. The first word should be "there're" or "there are". Think I'll go correct it on my blog.
Made the correction here too. Thanks, Marc. Should be an interesting night watching the results come in.
Thanks for the correction, Darryl--you made it before I did!
"Martin demonizes those who agree with him." I think he's in trouble! (sorry!) A great post, Darryl. I often wonder how the world responds to Christians on soapboxes. I'd like to think they just tune them out, but I fear they may turn them off altogether. It's hard to get into a conversation with someone you have a difference of opinion with on a moral issue, when they've already decided where you stand based on what they heard someone else say.
It's amazing to me people would say to you that the Conservatives are God's party for this election. Talk about sublimation and projection! Amazing. Have they studied history? Have they taken a basic policitcal course? Have they read a bible? Do they understand the roles of the four estates? This is a child's thinking. Did thier ideas come from a pulpit? A para church organization like Focus on the Family Canada? Maybe they should read a bio of Paul Martin. He does tend to dismiss those that disagree with him, but that has to do with his ambitions. Amazing and incredibly sad. What do you say back?
I agree the Conservative Party is not God's party, nor is it a Christian party. Ultimately every Political party will disapoint us and the things of God. However, I think having Conservative Christians accept a big tent and throw their support behind one of the major parties is the way to go. Secondary parties accomplish nothing. I'd love to see Christians throw their support behind a Party like the Conservatives, bring their issues to the table (like abortion, traditional marriage, helping the less fortunate, etc) in time they will get listened too. It's showing results in the states. BTW, Focus on the Family and getting ideas from the Pulpitt is bad??? Wow, I must really be out of step, but that it probably a good thing. Take a deep breath Bene.
Bene: I think Martin has made it hard for people who disagree on social issues to vote Liberal, even though the debate is alive and well in the Liberal party. My frustration is there is no one party that I can fully support, so I always have to hold my nose and vote. Such is life. P.S. I haven't had a lot of chance to talk at length with people who think Christians should vote Conservative. They mostly talk. Most of them recognize it's not the church's role to endorse a party anyway.
Jacob: Are you suggesting that helping the less fortunate is a Conservative issue or a Christian issue? I agree if you mean it's a Christian issue. I don't agree if you think it's a Conservative Party issue. They may stick with the status quo on social assistance and reduce taxes a little here and there, but as I understand it the traditional/historical stance of the Conservative Party does not look favourably on welfare states.
Christian issue. Although I don't believe it's primarily the government's job to help the unfortunate - it's the job of Christians to provide this (as well as Spiritual food).
"Although I don't believe it's primarily the government's job to help the unfortunate - it's the job of Christians to provide this (as well as Spiritual food)." I agree this is the church's job, but there is a huge role for government as well, especially dealing with systemic issues that are unjust. I would love a party that is socially conservative, without wanting to impose Christian values, fiscally conservative, and yet concerned with issues of social justice. I can always dream
Why exactly do we want to move away from Christian values? Wasn't our country founded on Christian principles and values? Do we as Christians now have a problem with a government that would encourage policy based on Christian values? Would we as Christians have a problem with a government that would seek to open up the abortion issue or the same sex marriage issue? Would that be such a bad thing, to try and steer the country back to some moral basics and absolutes?
George: I am always scared with a government that tries to impose religion (example: Christianity) on people. There is no such thing as a Christian nation. Christ has called us to live by his values, but nowhere are we commanded to impose those values on others who are not Christians. Also, "Christian" governments don't have such great track records. For instance, my family has a background in South Africa. For a long time, the "Christian" government banned pornography, yet sponsored and enforced apartheid. There are lots of other examples. Some people are sad that Christendom is over. I think it's a good thing and presents a new opportunity for the church. There is a role for Christians to play, and I think they can speak to important issues, but not from the basis of imposing their faith.
So if for example, the Harper government would allow a free vote in the House on issue of same sex marriage, that would be a bad thing as far as you are concerned?
No, it's not a bad thing in itself. But why? Because the issue wasn't debated freely in the past? I can buy that. Because there are other options and other arguments that need to be considered? Okay. But if it's because we want society to have a "Christian" view of marriage? Then I have all kinds of other questions. Why allow common law marriage then? Why no-fault divorce? Why do we expect society at large to conform to Christian standards? People of faith ought to speak out for what's right - but they should never think that laws can accomplish what only the Gospel can.
"But if it's because we want society to have a "Christian" view of marriage? Then I have all kinds of other questions. Why allow common law marriage then? Why no-fault divorce? Why do we expect society at large to conform to Christian standards?" We could go on and on about this, but I would say we have to start somewhere. I'm not sure about the genuinness of Harper's faith, but lets assume he is a born again believer. As Prime Minister he calls up Darryl Dash and wants Darryl to be his spiritual advisor. I wonder how you might advise him if these issues start to come up. Interesting eh? Why are so many Christians so ambivalent about some of these issues. How can a born again follower of Jesus Christ be ambivalent about an issue like abortion. Its almost like its not even thought of anymore, in 2002 there were over 100,000 murders of the unborn in our country. Its absolutely incredible yet I guess now we just shrug our shoulders and say "Oh well, what can we do we just aren't a Christian nation anymore let it go. Thank God for organizations and churches that still make these things issues. I'm believing they are still issues with Almighty God. Do you think His righteous judgment might just be imminent on our nation? Would it surprise you?
George: I would put abortion in a different category than many of the issues you are talking about. I'm not ambivalent about these issues either. I just don't think it's the role of the government to make people act like Christians. Let's imagine: you're prime minister, and tomorrow you somehow pass a law that abortion is illegal, homosexuality is a crime, and you must attend church every Sunday or else go to jail for a year, and you must pray . Will Canada be any more righteous than it is today?
Darryl in your understanding of our faith, are Christians called to discern and define right moral standards and to defend them by righteous means or is it better to affirm political pluralism, irrespective of the moral consequences? May I also put a different twist on the question you asked of George. If I publicly proclaim my opposition to abortion and proactively work towards the saving of even a few babies lives, if I affirm that only the union of one man and one woman can be sanctified by God's people as marriage, if I go to church every Sunday and I pray, am I likely to be more righteous than if I affirmed the opposite points of view?
Paul: In some issues, it's best to bow to political pluralism, realizing that we can't impose our convictions on society at large. In some issues, it's necessary to promote justice, especially to preserve life. In other areas still, we may find that Biblical teaching is readily accepted by society at large already. My point is that it takes wisdom to know which of these three approaches to take. Even when we choose to act, it's often more complicated than passing a law (as we learned during the prohibition). Wilberforce is a good model for us.
Darryl, I have a question. What do you mean by "social justice"? Is this stuff like being tough on crime, have the punishment fit the crime, etc. I've heard the term thrown around lately but don't know what it's referring to. My Hamilton conservative candidate is an agnostic but told me he believes strongly in the traditional def'n of marriage. He went through his argument with me - in a nutshell it was based on common sense. I shared my reason that I don't want the abomination of homosexuality more and more normalized in a land that my kids and grandkids will have to grow up in, plus as an institution of God I believe it's the responsibility of Christians to protect as much as possible. I respected his reason and he respected mine - he had no intention of forcing me to become an agnostic and I had not intention of forcing him to be a Christian.
Jacob: I usually think of it in terms of Isaiah 58:6: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" This would include defending the rights of those who are being unfairly treated and standing against unjust laws. The next verse talks about more of our individual responsibilities (and as churches): "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"