iVoteValues Archives

Elections: Do they matter?

Posted by: Jim Richards on September 19, 2008 Featured Article •

Does it really matter who the next president will be? I know I am treading on dangerous ground venturing into politics. The old axiom for social grace is, don’t talk about religion or politics. Well, I promise not to do either. I am going to talk about Jesus, the Word of God and a Christan’s responsibility in the public square.

Jesus was very pointed about “render unto Caesar.” Although there was a Zealot (Jewish Nationalist) among his followers, Jesus did not foment rebellion. Jesus went to the extent of paying taxes with coins miraculously supplied in a fish’s mouth. Jesus even submitted to the punishment of death under governmental authority. The government saw the cross as a tool of capital punishment. We know that Jesus was paying for our sins by the shedding of his blood. Nevertheless, Jesus endorsed established government. He was no anarchist.

A very significant difference from the forms of government in biblical times and today is that we, the people, have a say in who rules over us. Biblical principles still apply for governmental rule. Since we have the privilege of participating in the selection of leaders, as believers we should seek to influence the direction of government toward biblical truth.

Rick Warren and Jim Wallis are seemingly trying to replace Jerry Falwell and James Dobson. The new guys are emphasizing their interpretations on poverty, the environment, and health care. Evangelical political engagement heightened in the late ’70s promoting the biblical positions on the sanctity of human life and gender roles. Now, same-sex marriage is being declared protected by the Constitution in several states. What were considered hot buttons two decades ago no longer resonate as they once did.

There is no question the environment is important. God has placed us on the planet to be good stewards. Health care falls under the purview of Christian benevolence. We should do all we can to help all we can. The Bible has much to say about the poor. How we treat the poor reflects on our practical Christianity. All of these are worth out attention. Yet, all other concerns pale in comparison to what we believe about where life begins and what comprises a marriage.

You may say that your vote does not matter. It does and so do your prayers. This election cycle demands our prayerful involvement. The Christian’s responsibility in the public square is not to partisan politics. Our responsibility is to vote for people who best reflect biblical values. If you are not registered, then do so. If you were not planning on voting, please cast your ballot guided by biblical principles.

Religion and politics are not to be discussed in delicate company. Jesus, the Word of God and believers in the public square are always appropriate.

This article was written by Jim Richards and originally appeared in the September 8, 2008 issue of The Southern Baptist Texan.

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Don’t Be Driven to Distraction

Posted by: John Loudat on September 11, 2008 Featured Article •

We Americans pick a president every four years, and I suspect that the devil does some of this most effective work during at least some of those years.

I say that not as much because of the particular leader we pick, but because of the way we Americans — including many of who name the Name of Christ — tend to transfer at least a portion of our hope and trust in Christ to a man or woman who is bound to disappoint us, because he or she cannot possibly deliver on many, if any, of the things he or she promises us in order to secure our votes.

The phenomenon is nothing new. I’ve seen it every election cycle I can remember, and, yes, I have grown a bit cynical. Please understand, though, I utterly reject the idea of disengaging from the political process. I have the right as a citizen of this country to vote for the candidate I believe is going to be the best for our nation; and I am registered to vote, so I can, and will, do just that. Furthermore, I strongly encourage each of you to do the same, because it can and does make a truly significant impact on this “land of the free and home of the brave,” a difference I want for my children and grandchildren (the first of whom is due the middle of September, in case you haven’t heard). Still, there are some things no occupant of the Oval Office is ever going to be able to accomplish, and for those things we must trust in the Sovereign of the universe alone.

Conservative columnist Cal Thomas said as much in his column published in my July 29 Albuquerque Journal. The column clearly reveals his preference for the nation’s next leader (which we, being a 501 (c) 3 publication, cannot, nor should we, do), but he also made a very important point: “America’s primary problems are not economic and political; they are moral and spiritual and there government cannot go, with or without ‘faith-based initiatives.’”

We, as American Christians, should remember that this year and refuse to allow ourselves during this election cycle to get so distracted by whom we will be voting for, and whom we will be encouraging others to vote for, to distract us from the only Person who can fix our nation’s ills — one heart at a time — and our responsibility to share Him with people as the only hope of the world. Alas, I think it’s nigh impossible not to be so distracted when every time we turn on our TV or radio news or launch our web browser or email we’re introduced to another of the seemingly unending steam of presidential promises. Because of that, I am convinced we need God’s supernatural help, enabling us to keep “the main thing the main thing.”

The Psalmist rightly observed, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses …”; then he forcefully declared, “… but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7 NIV). May that be said of New Mexico Baptists during this political season, and may we be as determined as ever to share the importance of that life strategy with all those with whom God gives us the opportunity.