This is taken from Tullian Tchividjian's blog. He is a Pastor and is Billy Graham's Grandson.
"My friend Josh recently reminded me of these great lines from my former teacher, John Frame, on Christians and political choices taken from his excellent book The Doctrine of the Christian Life."
…in some cultures (like the ancient Roman, in which the New Testament was written) there is not much that Christians can do, other than pray, to influence political structures and policies. But when they can influence them, they should. In modern democracies, all citizens are ‘lesser magistrates’ by virtue of the ballot box. Christians have an obligation to vote according to God’s standards. And, as they are gifted and called, they should influence others to vote in the same way.
This is not to say that political choices are always obvious. Often we must choose the lesser of two evils. Candidate Mershon may have a better view of one issue than Candidate Beates, while Beates has a better view on a different issue. It is an art to weigh the importance of different issues and to come to a godly conclusion. Each of us should have a large amount of tolerance for other Christians who come to conclusions that are different from ours. Rarely will one issue trump all others, though I must say that I will never vote for a candidate who advocates or facilitates the killing of unborn children.
What do you think? Let me know.
By the way, I want to thank you for all the postitive emails I have been getting about the blog, especially recently.
When you vote do you vote,do you vote Republican or Democrat first. Or do you vote Christian first and Republican or Democrat second.
7 comments:
In the past, I have always voted on the issues. For many years I was registered Independent. Therefore I always voted based on the candidate I felt would be a "better fit" in my view to lead the country.
I have been a "pro-life" hypocrite most of my life. Always believing life started at conception, I felt that if a pregnancy occurred in the case of rape or a child being molested, it should be left up to the individual in those cases. I felt strongly that God would judge those cases accordingly.
Without health insurance, and having to be hospitalized a few times in the last year, and being inundated with hospital, doctor, lab, anesthesiologists bills, which I could never repay even if I sold my house, car, and all of my possessions, I have been struggling with who to vote for based on health insurance issues. I cannot buy into a health plan or even life insurance due to pre-existing conditions.
As I have been struggling this year with my decision on who to vote for, I have been praying for God to reveal to me his wisdom and discernment, and through His Word, I am deeply convicted that I will now only "Vote by God's Standards". He is my Health Insurance, and the only Life Insurance plan I need or want.
I totally agree with your position on vote Christian first. My questions is: how do you answer that abortion is the only Christian issue in the campaign? Some would say that government programs designed to help the less fortunate is the Godly thing to do?
JSC
Yes, so do I. I think both parties pander to the poor. And really do little to help.
Give me some examples of either party helping or not helping the poor.
And give me an issue that is more important than killing an unborn baby. If you agree that voting Christian first is right then, Look at the ultrasound of the little baby smiling and answer this question. "Does this mother have the right to abort this child." If she does, in your opinion should I have to help pay for her aboriton.
Please answer these questions and thank you for your comments. Look forward to hearing from you.
She totally does not hav the right to kill that baby. I agree that the moral issues of the day far out weigh the other issues. I believe if we do the right thing by the moral issues, God then can bless our nation economically. I guess the biggest way the parties try to help the poor is tax policy. Welfare is another example. Tax payers are paying for laziness in this country, I guess they think it is OK if we pay for the sins of others. Remember I am on your side. I was just curious on how to handle the left when they say "we have Christian values too."
JSC
I agree abortion is horrible, and marriage should be sacred..
thats why we should vote for McCain who believe in the sanctity of marriage that he divorces his first wife.
Sounds like a great guy to me.
anonymous,
Your comment makes no sense.
Please elaborate.
it is what is called sarcasm, the majority of the "religious right" get on their high horse of hot button issues of abortion and gay marriage, they often do not give the full story....
Call it politics...
But how can a person believe in the sanctity of marriage (being between a man an woman)but not believe it to be so sacred that he himself believes in divorce.
I respect the viewpoint of everyone, and that everyone can have their on personal viewpoints, be it right or wrong with my personal belief.
Now me believing that marriage is sacred believes it is between a man and a woman and is for life.
You may think i am singling out the Republican party, but they are they party that uses those hot topic issues to persuade the evangelical right.
So you probably think i am in the "tank" of the democrats, there you would be wrong, I am an independent, which you have once stated are those who can't make up their minds. On the contrary, I am independent because I do not agree entirely with the positions of either party. SO I don't think I should support something i don't agree with 100%.
Just my two cents. I believe there are a lot of people that find themselves in the same boat as me. They are torn between moral obligations and the social well being of our country.
So, in conclusion, God's will will be done and who ever is president must be the right one, and hopefully better than what was there. And that i believe is biblical Romans if i am not mistaken.
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