Strangely enough, the two most divisive issues, religion and politics, have been colliding recently in our churches and in our newspapers. Here are a few thoughts regarding one of the issues that Christian voters have rallied around in recent years-the term "pro-life."
What does it mean to be for life? Where does it begin, and where does it end? Where is that principle of morality rooted, and how does it shape not only our worldview, philosophy and politics, but also our actions?
Many limit the issue of pro-life to abortion rights or the removal of those rights. As a Christian, it’s simple to look at scripture and see the commandment of not killing-and applying that to an unborn baby. What’s not simple, however, is to take a more comprehensive attitude towards being pro-life: from the womb to the tomb.
Being pro-life affects not only the beginning of life and abortion, but also end of life issues like euthanasia. But what about the many decades of life from birth until the grave? We shouldn’t only be concerned about issues of life when it comes to the beginning and end, but also during the proverbial “dash” in between those two dates.
During the dash, our concern for life should encompass how we see poverty, not only at home but also internationally. It should shape our view of medical care, not only in America, but throughout the world. It should affect our concern for those still enslaved-some by the sex trade, and some by economic policy and unfair trade laws.
For if we say that we are pro-life, we are then bound to carry that principle out to the nth degree. The truth is that we are called to obey more than just one of the 613 commandments found in the Old Testament. Life encompasses more than the taking of it. Life is about what you do and say as you live it. And this is the challenge we are facing as those who bear the name of Christ. For the greatest commandments were to love God with all we have and all we are, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Our philosophy must not be limited to our views on abortion and the sanctity of marriage. Yes, those must be included, for the breakdown of the family leads to the breakdown of society. But we must not be deceived into thinking that a vote for a candidate equals a political change. Nor should we think that if we elect “our” candidate into office, any office, that then we are absolved of personal responsibility to affect change.
No politician can truly love the mother of an unwanted child during her pregnacy. No politician will sit and care for the poor and diseased. No politician will visit those in the hospital or nursing homes to pray with and listen to those who are dying. But Christ will. And He does-but he also expects us to do the same. He expects us not only vote on His Word, but live it out in action during the 2 or 4 or 6 years between elections.
I believe there is a reason that Jesus didn’t call for change in Rome. He expected change to start with us. He didn’t run to the seat of the government and call for legislation to shift morality, he called for us to follow Him. No amount of law from government can return a nation to God-it must begin in our hearts with humility, not with speeches and committees in the halls of power.
Regardless of your vote this year, remember that these principles you are willing to argue and fight over should not only dictate your vote in the booth, but your life throughout the next year or two. Don’t find yourself in the position of arguing for a philosophy that you aren’t willing to live out.
If you want to see the end of abortion, please volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. If you want to see restoration of broken homes, become a foster parent or a marriage counselor at your church. If you want to battle the pains of poverty, help feed or clothe someone. If you want to see better healthcare happen, volunteer at a local free clinic.
Simply put, let’s become doers of the word, and not voters only. For James says if we only listen but don’t do, we are lying to ourselves. If we stand for truth, let us live it out in love, and let the world see what Jesus looks like in action.
Pro-life
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5 Comments:
ok, i agree... but, just for the sake of argument, as we Christian citizens of the United States of America gird our loins and head to the voting booth, what, in your Christian opinion, should we consider as we make our fateful decision? What issue is the dealbreaker? You make a really good point that Jesus did not try to alter the civic government of His day, but He did render to Caesar what was his. Would Jesus vote if it were a civic duty expected of Him? How would He make His decision? It boggles the mind to consider that Jesus would involve Himself in such pedestrian affairs and yet, would He? Let's just say He wouldn't... then, should we? "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen to every prayer made in this place, for I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be my home forever. My eyes and my heart will always be here." I, and many other Christians I know, are not really sure how to be like Jesus as we consider how to vote in this coming election. Since we Christians are the "my people" in the above-referenced verse, perhaps we should pray, then close our eyes and vote. Since God is sovereign, I'm pretty sure He's already chosen our president.
Which issue is the dealbreaker? That's a great question. when we ask that type of question, we get into deciding which issue of morality and sin/righteousness is worth more than others. I think in the 80's it was called "Values Clarification." It's a slippery slope.
Sometimes I think we ask the wrong questions, just as people did in scripture, like when the Samaritan woman asked Jesus which geographic location was correct for worshiping God in John 4, or when the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus into choosing grace or the law with the adulterous woman. Each time, Jesus revealed that the question was the wrong one.
I think that we who are free to choose our leader should exercise that freedom. But we must recognize that we are choosing between 2 sinners. We all long for a leader who will perfectly embody the spirit of Christ, which will only happen when He returns. Until then, we have to choose a leader who isn't Messiah.
The question isn't "which issue is the dealbreaker." I think the question Jesus is asking is more about personal action and responsibility. The question is "Will you live like I would live every day?" You see, most of the church believes it's their civic duty to vote, but they don't bring about change any other way. They think change happens from the top-down. That from a leader and a government, we can bring about change through legislation. Jesus preached a different way, a way that began from the bottom-up. We have forgotten how to lead by serving and how to bring revolution with our lives. Instead we have substituted a vote and some talk for true transformational change.
I'll leave you with a question as well-for all those in countries without the freedom to vote for their leader, how do they bring their country back to the Lord?
... and I still agree with you. But, we don't live in those other countries... and you only addressed one of my questions :)
Here's another couple... are you going to vote? How will you make your decision?
ps... were you even born in the eighties?? :)
You're right. You have 6 sentences that end in a question mark. I was trying to get to the heart of the issue, rather than addressing each one. Hope you understand!
About what country we live in....So what if we don't live in those other countries! If Christ grew up Jewish, spoke Aramic and Greek under a Roman empire, and we grow up Protestant speaking English in America, don't you think His teachings and truth should be greater than the one country you or I live in?
That means we are held responsible to live out the teachings of scripture in whatever country we are in, under whatever government we are born into or live under. Therefore, there MUST be teachings of Christ that we are responsible to uphold and live out that supercede any government.
Let me ask you a question. Clinton was our President for 8 years. Did you honor scriptural command in 1 Peter to "Honor the King?" Most conservative Christians didn't vote for him, and didn't like him. That doesn't mean we aren't still obligated to live out this Christ-life.
I'll try to answer all 6 of your questions.
1. what, in your Christian opinion, should we consider as we make our fateful decision? I think we have to consider the entire teachings of the Word, the heart of Christ, and also the fact that many policies that we look at (economic, tax, etc.) aren't issues of morality but rather issues of our own comfort and personal preference.
2. What issue is the dealbreaker? Answered in previous post-whether we will try to only vote like Christ or also live like Him the other 4 years between elections.
3. Would Jesus vote if it were a civic duty expected of Him? No idea-Jesus didn't usually act or respond like everyone expected or thought. He constantly broke preconceived societal taboos and deflected leading questions.
4. How would He make His decision? Being that He is God, He would have much more insight to who the candidates truly are, not just who they pretend to be as politicians. No one can answer this question.
5. It boggles the mind to consider that Jesus would involve Himself in such pedestrian affairs and yet, would He? We don't know, although Jesus was a little dangerous politically in His day.
6. Let's just say He wouldn't... then, should we? He didn't live under our type of government-this is an issue of discernment. Jesus drank wine-should every Christian then drink wine? There isn't a Biblical command to vote, it's a privilege from our founding fathers and from those who have defended us. If you are an heir with Christ, then what does your relationship with God lead you to do?
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