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Voting by the Book: Christians, the voting booth and the glory of God

Posted by: Jay T. Robertson on November 3, 2008 Featured Article •

By Jay T. Robertson

Walking into the voting booth, you thought you were clear on how to vote. But as you look over the ballot, some of the initiatives appear “more complicated” than you had thought. With a perplexed look on your face and uncertain thoughts flooding your mind, you begin to wonder why you need to vote. You are not alone. Many Americans are perplexed about the significance of their vote.

As election day draws nearer, many Christians interpret their civic responsibility differently. Some believe they should withdraw completely from the affairs of this early kingdom and only involve themselves in the affairs of the spiritual kingdom. Christians should have nothing to do with petitions, protests and ballots. Instead, believers must take up the weapons of the Spirit such as prayer meetings, gospel tracts and revival services.

Others seem to believe that revival can be ushered in on Air Force One if the right person is elected president. If the political institutions can be “Christianized,” a golden age will result.

But what about the majority of Christians who fall somewhere in between these two extreme positions? Should a Christian vote? Do Christians have an obligation to vote? What does voting have to do with a Christian worldview? What impact does voting have on the glory of God?

Called to shape, transform culture

As Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and are transformed by the renewing of their minds, they are enabled to see life through the eyes of Christ. Spiritual maturity occurs as one acquires a biblical lens through which he sees the big picture of God’s plan. This big picture consists of four frames: creation, the fall, redemption and restoration.

God created the universe and everything and everyone in it. It was very good. The tempter came sowing seeds of doubt and making statements of denial concerning God and His truth. Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie rather than Gods truth, resulting in a cursed universe. But God had a plan to redeem a people for Himself, so He sent Jesus into the world to die for sinners (and we all qualify). Jesus absorbed God’s wrath that should fall on us and He paid the penalty for our sins. Salvation is now available to all who will call on the name of the Lord.

Believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works. By God’s grace Christians are to shape and transform culture. Your light is to shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to God. Believers are to be transformers of society. God does not save people to sit, soak and sour on a church pew. Christians are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

So how does the voting booth relate to the glory of God? If you believe that all of life belongs to God and you have been saved to glorify God in all you do by making a difference in people’s lives, you cannot neglect involvement in politics. Christians often hesitate because politics can be a dirty business, but business will not improve unless believers participate by voting on the basis of biblical convictions and, for some, by serving in various elected positions. Christians should bring a different style and content to political life.

William Wilberforce serves as a great example. He was deeply Christian, vibrantly evangelical and passionately political in the British House of Commons over the long haul in the fight to end the African slave trade. On Oct. 28, 1787, Wilberforce wrote in his diary: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of morals.”

In battle after battle in Parliament he was defeated because “the Trade” was so much woven into the financial interests of the nation. But he never gave up the two great objects God laid on his heart.

Twenty years later, at 4 a.m. Feb. 24, 1807, the decisive vote was cast and the slave trade was declared illegal in the British Empire. Members of the House of Commons rose and turned toward Wilberforce in a burst of parliamentary cheers, while the little man with the curved spine sat, head bowed, tears streaming down his face.

Walking in wisdom

As citizens of earth, as well as of heaven, we cannot complain about the political leaders we have, nor the decisions they make, unless we are willing to elect men and women of integrity who support policies that restrain evil and reinforce goodness. For Christians to make a difference in this world, as salt and light, they need to be involved in the political process, both by voting and by encouraging qualified men and women to enter the vocation of politics.

We simply cannot escape by pointing out the imperfections of leaders. That is the only kind of leaders there ever will be until the Leader returns to rule the cosmos.

Our calling in this world is not to wait for the perfect candidate to be placed on the ticket, but to pick our way through the thicket of flaws we find in a Genesis 3 world by walking in wisdom and voting for imperfect candidates who best reflect a biblical worldview.

The Lord Jesus does not offer us the luxury of disengagement from the political process. Jesus says: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). Even secular Caesar has his claim on our lives because God made human governments His way of running the world.

The apostle Paul writes: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1).

In a democratic republic like the one we are blessed to live in, that at least means we should vote.

Praying through complex situations

There are many ambiguities and complexities when it comes to voting for a particular kind of person as our political representative or for or against a party with a platform we endorse or reject.

Political decisions affect every aspect of our lives from taxation to issues such as stem-cell research, abortion, marriage, the family, war and economic policies. God has commanded us to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find welfare” (Jer. 29:7).

The apostle Paul writes: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Praying for the welfare of our city and for our leaders is being involved in politics. If Christians would spend more time praying to our Father in heaven with broken hearts rather than murmuring and criticizing our political leaders while failing to pray for them, we could see God transform this nation.

Christians are to be a positive, godly influence in their communities.

Believers are citizens of both this world and the world to come, but a Christian’s heavenly citizenship must come first. The Christian’s dual citizenship leads to a tension which requires wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to perceive Christ-magnifying, gospel-fashioned, people-helping, community-transforming ways to live with the knowledge that God supplies us.

Wisdom is needed because so many of the decisions we have to make are not explicitly regulated by specific Scriptures.

Wisdom is needed as you think about having your citizenship permanently in heaven, not in America. How do you live on the earth when your life is hidden with Christ in God, when you are an alien and exile on this earth, and yet commanded to submit to the powers that be, and to love your neighbor, and to make a living, and to subdue the earth? How are we to be in the world and not of the world?

Although we must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, we can never forget that we are exiles wherever we find ourselves and there are thus limitations on Christian allegiance to any political structure, political ideology or even nation or king.

God’s passion for justice

In addition to wisdom, Christians need courage to vote against injustices in our political systems.

God’s passion for justice is clearly seen in the Bible. Amos declares: “Take away from the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:23-24).

Since God is passionate for justice and righteousness, we must have the courage to take a stand and vote in a manner consistent with His desires. We must look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others.

When you walk into the voting booth Nov. 4, the kingdom of God will not be on the ballot.

However, there will be electoral choices that significantly impact the common good. And your choices are important. May you enter the voting booth and make your selections for the glory of God and the good of your fellow man.

This article is reprinted from the October 2, 2008, issue of The Alabama Baptist, the newspaper of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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An Unknown Future

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on October 20, 2008 Featured Article •

So have you made your choice yet? The debates are over. The accusations are flying. The candidates are consistently bashing each other on the topics of energy, spending, taxes, and health care. It’s go time.

It looks like it’s going to be another tight race this year. So in this time of uncertainty, how should you respond? Wait in anticipation? Get out and act? I have two suggestions: pray and vote.

Pray first. Pray for the candidates. Pray for Americans. Pray for our government. Pray for God’s will to be done in this election. Then vote. As an American citizen, it’s your responsibility to get out and vote. And as I’ve suggested before, vote your values, not because you’re following the popular trend.

The Bible says, “Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. … I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow” (Ecclesiastes 8:7-8, 12-13).

We don’t know our future. We don’t know the outcome of the coming election. And we can’t be sure of what’s going to happen when whoever is elected takes office and begins his “reign.” But we do know this. God is in control and He’s given us an opportunity to act in a way that is reverent and glorifying to Him.

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Should Some People Not Vote?

Posted by: Dwayne Hastings on October 15, 2008 Featured Article •

John Stossel, an ABC News reporter known for his work on the network’s 20/20 program, asked the question as he and his camera crew interviewed some newly registered young people at a rock concert: “Should some people not vote?”

While it is an intriguing question, the answer is certainly “no.” While many Americans cast their ballots in ignorance each Election Day, that doesn’t mean any voter should be disqualified because of their lack of understanding of the issues or the candidates themselves. In fact, who among us have not come to a choice on the ballot, particularly in the area of the retention of judges, and voted “yes” or “no” without forethought?

There have been times in our nation’s history when some citizens were denied their right to vote because of their inability to pay a poll tax, a lack of academic education, or their race or sex. Fortunately those times are behind us.

That said, it is our obligation to fully educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates before we vote. For those of us who claim to be Christ-followers, we need to insure that we consider the Bible’s perspective on the issues of the day as we ponder the candidates’ positions on those issues.

To help Americans in getting grasp on the candidates representing the two major U.S. political parties, we developed a useful resource that lines up excerpts from the platforms of the Democrat and Republican party. The Party Platform Comparison Guide, available for download at no charge and in a print edition (limited copies available for sale), contains no analysis or commentary. It is composed of direct quotes (without campaign rhetoric) from the two group’s position statements.

The question is not “Should some people not vote?”; but instead, “Why would anyone vote without knowing what the candidates believe on the issues?”

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The Lesser-Known Vote

Posted by: Cherilyn Crowe on October 15, 2008 Featured Article •

Every four years, three big events impact every American citizen:

We have an extra day in February.
We adjust our television viewing schedules to accommodate the Summer Olympics.
We vote for President.

But, many of us spend more time learning the obscure rules of sports we normally care nothing about than the people whose names we’ll stare at on the ballot on November 4.

By now, you probably know at least something about the candidates for President and Vice President. But, those aren’t the only votes you can cast this year. Every member of the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for re-election. One third of all U.S. Senators will be on the ballot. And, you will likely have some combination of state legislative races, amendments, or city races in your area. I always take great care in selecting who I want to send to Washington, but I also think the “lesser” races are just as important for all of us.

Why do these races matter to me? Jesus tells us the way we treat the “least” of those around us is very important, and it’s a reflection of what we think about Him (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus also recognized the importance of the government leaders (like Caesar) in our lives (Matthew 22:15-22), but he directly dealt with the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-67).

I also know that if I am going to get serious about making an impact in my world, following the international gold medal count won’t get me anywhere. My local candidates may seem like the least important people in this election cycle, but they are my most direct connections to the government. They are the officials I can actually talk to when I want to solicit support for a cause. They determine the zoning ordinances that decide what I can do to my house, business, and church. And, they could become the people on the presidential ticket. Sarah Palin began her political career on the city council, and Barack Obama served in his state’s general assembly. What if your local government official ran on the presidential ticket in the next decade…and you didn’t know if you had helped or hurt their early political career?

I was not always passionate about the so-called “lesser” races. The first time I exercised my right to vote, I went to the polls only informed about the big races. When I got to the booth, there were races and names I knew nothing about. So, I started selecting names that sounded interesting.

Then I stopped to think about it. What if I was a sheltered vegetarian who went to a McDonald’s for the first time. Imagine walking in, looking at the menu, and saying, “Well, I don’t know anything about these food options, but that word ‘McNuggets’ is kind of cool, so I’ll choose that.” Why would I order something I don’t believe in and end up with something I don’t support? I could have taken a few minutes online to find out the menu options before I got there—is that so hard?

I admit it can be more entertaining to learn about the strange rules of doubles ping-pong or the latest shenanigans in the presidential race, instead of what a “yes” vote means on a complicated referendum. But, the other people and issues on the ballot this year will shape your life in ways a President cannot. You have an extra 24 hours this year, so why not use some of that time to know the issues in every race? There will always be time to learn about team handball.

This commentary reprinted with permission from LifeWay Christian Resources. This article was originally published in Threads.

About the Author

Cherilyn Crowe is the senior producer for NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. She produces a variety of topical and political programs, and she was also part of the media circus covering the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University.

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Sorting out the issues before Election Day

Posted by: Dwayne Hastings on October 7, 2008 Featured Article •

Before you step into the voting booth on Election Day, it is critically important that you and every voter get a good grasp of not only what the candidates are saying, but what they aren’t saying.

To help you in this regard and to cut through the clutter of campaign rhetoric, the iVoteValues.com team develops a nonpartisan Party Platform Comparison Guide. This resource, which we have published every presidential election year since 1992, is not a collection of quotes or voting records of the candidates. The next issue of this publication will be released in the summer of 2012.

It is built from sections of the party platforms that have been carefully excerpted. The resource contains no analysis or commentary. While the guide does not cover every issue, it does include quotes from the two party’s postion statements on a host of topics, from civil rights, human trafficking, illegal immigration, judicial appointments and stem cell research, among others.

Given that it is a balanced, nonpartisan resource, we believe it is well within the guidelines set forth under the IRS tax code for distribution within 501(C)(3) organizations, which includes most churches.

While the Party Platform Comparison Guide will give voters a good idea of where the two parties stand on a wide variety of subject areas, concerned voters should read the the actual platforms for themselves. Links to the platforms are available here. Unfortunately, time and space considerations do not allow us to reference the myriad of other political parties that are contending for the White House in this publication.

The Party Platform Comparison Guide is available in digital format and a limited number of the guides can be purchased, in 25-count bundles, from the ERLC by calling (800) 475-9127 or at the ERLC’s online marketplace, familybookstore.net.

To the best of our knowledge there is no resource like this available. Again, it is not a traditonal “voter’s guide,” as you may have seen in the past from other organizations. This resource was developed to give voters a straight-up, above-board glimpse at what the two major parties say on some very important issues. It’s worth a look!

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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.

This article was written by John Loudat and originally published in the August 9, 2008 issue of The Baptist New Mexican.

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The Third Effect

Posted by: William H. Perkins, Jr. on August 26, 2008 Featured Article •

Modern American politics is in a mess, isn’t it? The sensationalized rhetoric and histrionic mudslinging of today probably matches (or exceeds) the dirty politics of bygone eras. An astute follower of politics once observed, “You can’t govern if you don’t win,” but the win-at-any-cost mentality of today has become a dangerous drain on our national vitality.

Pundits frequently speculate on the reasons why this mental cruelty is heaped upon us every two years or so. The main reason seems to be that it works. Twisting the truth and distorting reality have an impact on many voters, apparently in three ways.

The First Effect negative campaigning has is to embolden the hardcore supporters of the candidate making the attacks to support their candidate even more passionately, because their opponent looks like such a bad person. The Second Effect is to discourage supporters of the other candidate, in hopes they will drop away from the campaign. The Third Effect is to create disgust among uncommitted voters in general in the hope that they will be repulsed by the mudslinging and just stay home on Election Day.

The Third Effect seems to be the most important and sought-after, because if uncommitted voters simply stay away from the polls, the attacking candidate has an opportunity to get his/her hardcore supporters to the polls and win the election. This is especially true in the election cycle we are currently undergoing.

Many of the crucial races in the country are up for grabs. Many of the races that will decide which political party controls the reins of government for the next two years are within pollsters’ margins of error. The Democrats want very much to hold on to power, and Republicans want very much to regain the power they once enjoyed.

Given the publicly-stated positions and intentions of the two parties, it’s not an overstatement to describe the upcoming November 4 elections as utterly crucial to the future of our nation. Never have the differences between the two competing national parties been clearer. The lines separating the parties have never been brighter. The voters should be fired up like never before to march to the polls and cast a definitive vote.

That’s where the Third Effect comes in to play. If only that huge middle of uncommitted voters can be driven away from the polls by discouraging news and constant misinformation, the party faithful will have the chance to swing the election their way. The strategy is: if only the people with no political ax to grind can be kept from voting, an election can be won.

A voter can expect that type of behavior from unscrupulous candidates but the national news media, which have already proven themselves so untrustworthy in so many other ways, have pulled out all the stops in utilizing the Third Effect to sway this election. Just about every newspaper, every radio and television station, every cable news program, every politically-active Hollywood star has exploited the Third Effect in this election cycle.

They don’t want us to vote—especially, they don’t want Christians to vote. They know the impact we have had on other recent elections, and they’d prefer we sit this one out. That seems to be the new tactic for dealing with Christian and “values” voters: beat them down with so much bad news and dirty insinuations that they’ll just stay home on Election Day.

True enough, politicians have failed Christians in the past. They have courted us, used the proper code words, spoken to us of their deep faith, and then failed us. That will undoubtedly happen again.

We still must vote, even when the Third Effect is heaped upon us. If we care about the future of this country, we will make it to the polls on November 4 and we will vote. Not to do so is to give up on this great country, a gift from God Himself.

That should be all the reason we need to do what’s right.

This article is reprinted from the August 21, 2008, issue of “The Baptist Record” the newspaper of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

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The Good Citizenship Award

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on August 5, 2008 Featured Article •

The “Good Citizenship” award. I remember getting a few of those in elementary school for my good behavior. It seemed like a big deal at the time—but not so much now.

That seemingly simple grade school reward, which you also may have received yourself, really isn’t so simple today. Peter told first-century Christians to be good citizens of Rome and to pray for their Emperor. And, really, nothing has changed. The same message is true for us—especially as believers.

He said, “Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For it is God’s will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people. As God’s slaves, [live] as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Honor the Emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-17).

Peter told us to honor our leaders and live righteously. Our country and government should know that if they can count on anyone in this world to do something good—it should be the Church, the body of Christ.

Good citizenship isn’t about living a trouble-free, low-key life, hidden away in the shadows. No, it’s about improving our communities through good works, sharing Jesus in our daily relationships through our actions and words, and living in such a way that challenges unbelievers to at least think about God.

Do you spend time praying for our leaders every day? How often do you go out of your way to do good for those around you? We’re blessed to live freely in a nation full of opportunity. How often do you take advantage of that?

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Politics a useful tool?

Posted by: Don Kirkland, Editor, ,The Baptist Courier on June 2, 2008 Featured Article •

According to a recent poll conducted jointly by LifeWay Research and the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, a majority of Americans—though only a slight majority—do not believe that Christians are too much involved in politics.

When the survey figures zeroed in on Americans who attend religious services of any kind at least weekly, that modest majority of 52 percent increased to a more substantial 65 percent of our citizens who find no fault with Christian participation in politics.

And for the record, most Southern Baptist pastors—65 percent of them—expressed their disagreement with the notion that believers are too greatly involved in politics.

The results of the poll, taken at a time of heightened, if not yet peak, interest and involvement in the political process give a timely indication of the level of acceptance by Americans of the role played by Christians in shaping public policy that is not at all surprising.

Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, found the survey “in line with the involvement of people of faith throughout our nation’s history with political issues that have a moral component,” citing the abolitionist movement against slavery and the civil rights movement in opposition to racial injustice as “religiously motivated.”

Politics, which by one definition is “the process by which groups of people make decisions on who gets what,” is not limited to government. It is evident wherever people interact, whether in corporate, academic or religious settings.

Especially as the time for annual meetings of the Southern and the South Carolina Baptist conventions draw near, and often when decisions are made having a major impact on convention ministries, criticism over the prevalence of politics in the denomination is voiced.

Nevertheless, the political process has been and will continue to be a vital and visible component of denominational life for Southern Baptists and for believers from all walks of Christian faith.

Central to—and for that reason inseparable from—the political process is the acquisition and application of power and influence. How the power and influence are acquired likely provides the key to understanding how they are applied, and that will determine in most instances whether the political process works for the benefit of detriment of the denomination.

We as Baptists would be wise to embrace the political process as neither inherently evil nor inevitably good, but rather for its potential as a helpful tool in building the kingdom of God on earth when power and influence are used appropriately by those who seek to be our denomination’s servants, not its masters.

[This commentary originally appeared in The Baptist Courier (S.C.), May 15, 2008. Reprinted with permission.]

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