Reflections of a Political Orphan

(I started this blog post before the election in 2020 but never finished it.  After reading my initial paragraphs, I realized nothing really has changed and it would be appropriate for the 2024 election, provided I could finish it on time!)

The 2024 election season is quickly coming to a close, and just like 2016 and 2020, I again find myself without a political home.

My views on abortion, sexuality, gender, economics, guns, Harris, and the arrogance and hypocrisy of the self-righteous left prevents me from voting Democrat.

But my views on immigration, universal health care, the environment, guns, Trump, and the conspiracy-leaning, closed-minded right prevents me from voting Republican.

What's a man to do?  How do I vote when I find the major platforms of both parties (not to mention the beliefs and lifestyles of their respective candidates) to often be immoral, unethical and unbiblical. It is helpful for me, then, to reflect on who I truly am.

I am a proud citizen of the United States of America.  With all her faults, she is still the best country in the world, in my not-so-humble opinion.  But this citizenship is just temporary.  My true and permanent citizenship is in heaven, and my eternal allegiance is to Jesus Christ.  This status was not attained or decided on by me, nor is it the result of where I was born.  No, this citizenship was bought with an extreme price - the sacrifice of my God and Savior.  His brutal death, sorrowful burial, and glorious resurrection, secured my place in this eternal home that he built for me.

No civilization lasts forever, and the last three elections (not to mention our response to COVID) makes me wonder if perhaps we are witnessing the very beginning of the end of this great and fantastic experiment in self-government, brought on by the inevitable consequence of the human condition that cannot escape it's sinful bent towards self-preservation, greed, and divisiveness.  

I hope I'm wrong.  But if I'm not, it's ok.  Why?  Because we have a hope that is not rooted in how powerful the United States is, let alone who wins this election.  Our hope is in Jesus Christ.  Guys, Jesus has never lost an election!  He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.  And that will not change come November 6.  He is our King, he is sovereign, he is in control, and we have nothing to fear.  I assure you, God is not freaking out.  He is not worried, he is not wringing his hands.  He has put the nations and their leaders in place and they are subject to Him!

Yet I can't help but think we keep forgetting this.  I can't tell you how many Christians I have talked to or observed who exhibit a deep-seated fear of the results of this election.  Christian, this should not be!  It's as if we don't think the gospel is strong enough to stand in this world on its own, therefore we require collusion and capitulation with the political institutions of our day in order to be relevant (and gain a few tax exemptions along the way, of course). Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, history has shown the visible power of the gospel often grows in direct response to the persecution of its disciples, rather than its support (I know, it makes me uncomfortable too).  But that cross, the symbol and event that seems foolish to so many, is the very power of God in our life, and will sustain and keep you through any political turmoil.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating - it is not our job to make America a Christian nation.  It never was.  And our confusion on this point has led to a church in America that is weak, confused, and just one of many consumer-oriented organizations built on supporting the nation-state, hoping our influence will give us perks and punish our enemies (legally, of course).  No, our job is to build "a church that again asserts that God, not nations, rules the world, that the boundaries of God's kingdom transcend those of Caesar, and that the main political task of the church is the formation of people who see clearly the cost of discipleship and are willing to pay the price." (1)

The acknowledgment of this hope gives me confidence in my vote.  I can prayerfully cast my ballot with a clean conscience, even if it is third-party, knowing ultimately God will sanctify my decision and use the result to his glory, whatever that may be.

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(1) Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon, Resident Aliens, 1989, p . 

Trump is a pervert and Christians should think twice before voting for him

The end is almost complete.  Most great institutions often crumble from within, and that is exactly what we are seeing with American evangelicalism.  For so many years we evangelicals have warned about the evils pressing in from all sides.  Hollywood is eroding our Christian heritage!  Planned Parenthood is the devil incarnate!  Liberal judges will take away all our religious liberty!  But apparently, while we were all out hunting dangerous wild animals, we've let the foxes guard the hen house.

How can so many of our Christian and evangelical leaders continue to be avid and vocal supporters of Donald Trump?  I am confused by their justifications, disgusted with their excuses, and baffled by their rationalizations of supporting a man who is racist, lecherous, misogynistic, disgusting, petty, and crude.  He is a liar.  He is arrogant. He is a cheater.

But most of all, Trump is a pervert.  I can use no other word to describe a man who revels in his sexual conquests, cheats on his multiple wives, objectifies women's physical attributes, jokes about sexual assault, and frames his relationship with his own daughter in sexual terms.  I haven't listened to all the recent tapes, I only know the snippets that I have read in the news.  But that is enough.  More than enough.  You don't need to take the lid off the garbage to know it stinks inside.

But none of that seems to matter.  And that is deeply disappointing.  Oh sure, we give appropriate lip service. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and a member of Trump's Evangelical Executive Advisory Board (really?), said the comments were "lewd, offensive, and indefensible."  But of course, he's still voting for Trump.  I guess they are a little bit defensible after all, eh Mr. Jeffress?  Tell me, what happened to traditional family values?

Many of the Christian leaders who are supporting Trump were scathing critics of Bill Clinton's moral failures.  In September of 1989, James Dobson wrote, "What has alarmed me throughout this episode has been the willingness of my fellow citizens to rationalize the President’s behavior even after they suspected, and later knew, that he was lying.  That disregard for morality is profoundly disturbing to me.  What are they learning from Mr. Clinton? What have we taught our boys about respecting women? What have our little girls learned about men?"  Amazing.  The irony would be laughable, if it wasn't so pathetically sad.

Where are the men of our faith?  Where are the men who will stand up and say, this is wrong?  Excuse me, but you don't "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" sexual harassment.  You just don't.  So I have to question the integrity and sincerity of any man who continues with the facade that this is somehow OK, and Trump is the only choice for the discerning Christian.

Hugely popular evangelist Beth Moore recently tweeted:

So, do the one-in-six women who have been sexually assaulted even matter in all this?  Or are they simply necessary collateral in our hell-bent desire to keep Hillary out of the White House?

Let's be clear.  This is not about Hillary Clinton.  This is not about potential Supreme Court nominations. This is about refusal to be the gatekeepers of truth and integrity, as we are called to be. Is God not in control?  Is He not sovereign?  Do you really think he is up there pacing back and forth with a furrowed brow, wringing his hands in fear of a Hillary Clinton presidency?

Remember, Christian leader, it is not your job to keep American a "Christian" nation.  It is your job to protect the holy church.  It is your job to infuse the darkness with your light. It is your job to be an example of what it means to be a Godly man.  It is your job to provide an environment where Christian women are empowered to live out their God-given identity in Christ, not left feeling ignored, hurt, and second-class.  How dare you not take that seriously.