Church and Culture #3: Politics

I know, we’re not supposed to talk politics in church. it’s a taboo subject, in fact it’s even taboo in many homes. We don’t like to talk about politics because it’s a divisive subject. It’s a subjects that divides people, homes, churches, and cultures.

But as much as we try to ignore it. the fact of the matter is we ARE in this world and IN this world politics is how we have chosen to ensure that the needs of the many are met. So sorry We have to talk about it. but before I get down into things some caveat.

I will not at any point be discussing who I might vote for nor will I be encouraging you to vote in any particular way… why? becuase pastors have too much power as it is, frankly I hate when I hear pastors tell people from the pulpit about why they should vote for this person or that person, or to vote this way or that way on particular issues. Now that’s not to say that you wouldn’t be able to guess where I lean, but no pastor should ever tell you how to vote.

Now this that out of the way lets first start with

Why should Christian’s Care about Politics?

Good question! and it comes with a fairly simple answer.

Jesus spent much of his time being counter culture, and if you take a superficial look at his life, you might say that He didn’t really have anything to do with the political structures of the time. you don’t see him protesting or lobbying, or anything like that...

What we do see however is Jesus working and living in such a way that he became the TEMPLATE for much of our politics and laws today.

Furhter one might also notice that on more than one occasion instead of inserting himself into politics and government He chose instead to simply say. render to Caesar what is Caesar's… which is to say I didn’t come hear to change political structures.

So here we are 200 plus years later still stuck with politics because Jesus didn’t change things… He could have you know… he could have come into the world and instituted a new world order. returns society to a theocrasy with God at the head of governement and governing… but he didn’t.

What He didn’t instead is teach us how to live better lives and told us to spread the word.

So does that leave us outside of politics as Christians? I would think not… as the number one forum for setting policies and laws for how we live I would argue that it is imperative that we get involved in politics. I would argue that if Christians DON’T get involved then we have abdicated the major portion of our voice when it comes in influencing culture.

The Separation of Church and State

at this point at least one person should be thinking “but pastor Mike, what about the separation of church and state? If I get into politics and just go about pushing Christianity I’ll be push out and loose my effectiveness”

and to you I would say… hmmm… maybe you’re right… When we as Christians go about PUSHING Christianity in our own selfish ways we tend to loose our effectiveness.... but do you know how we can be effective in politics? by doing what Francis Assisis once advocated when he said “preach the gosple by all means… and if necesary, use words”

As Christians we are all about justice, mercy, kindness and love. those are concepts that everyone understands and also wants (for the most part)

So instead of pushing to remove gay rights we should be advocating for laws that benifit the poor, the weak and the widow.

Instead of lobbying the governement to remove GSA or whatever… why not lobby the goverenment for equal access to school space for all clubs including Christian one.

Instead of pushing for more and more of what we want… why not push for more and more of mercy, kindness, and love in our govenrment… those things don’t have to be stamped Christian even if they are.

The fact of the matter is, if Christianity is going to be an hinderance to being involved with politics then our responce shouldn’t be to try and kick down the doors, but instead to do what Jesus did and show that we have a better way. a way that includes all, cares for all, and looks out for the best for all… and we can do all that without having to beat the world over the head with out Christianity.

Pray for your leaders

Regardless of how involved in politics you get.

Regardless of who you prefer to win

Trump or Clinton

Nenshi or Smith

Harper or Trudeau

once the vote in as a Christian you have 1 job. and Paul writes it in 1 Timothy 2:1–4

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So it’s a simple equation… Did you want Clinton to win? well she didn’t… like it or not your job and my job is to pray for Trump to be the best leader possible.

Did you wish that Harper had won another term as prime minister? We’ll he didn’t and regardless of your feelings towards him your job and my job ad Christians it to pray for him, that his leadership would be all that Canada needs.

Same thing for our city… so long and Naheed Nenshi is the mayor… our job as Christians is to pray for him and hold him up that his leadership would be good and right.

Our job is not to pray that someone would come and kick the bums out… our job really isn’t to protest and say “not my president”… our Job is simply to pray. Father God. you put this person is office in my city, or province, or country and I pray that you would guide them in what ever way you see fit to make the world we live in a better place for all. why?

Well Paul puts it best again in Romans 13:1–7

Romans 13:1–7 NKJV

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Here’s the fact.

Justin Treudeau is God’s Choice for Canada!

Rachel Notley is Gods choice for Alberta

Naheed Neshi is currently Gods choice for Calgary.

just like Donald Trump is gods Choice for America

And you don’t have to like it… just like you don’t have to like any of the things that God chooses to do in is sovereignty....

but as Christians we have to understand that everyone of our leaders is there because God allowed it to be and God give them that mantle of authority.

so when you fight against God’s choice you are fighting against God!

So how should Christians make sure the right person gets into office?

So how should be make sure that the right people are getting into office.

Well first step is GET INVOLVED!

Many leaders in both the US and Canada are elected and many issues decided with lass than half of the people eligible to vote voting! apathy kills the political process.

On of the reasons that the Clinton campaign in the US lost is because many of the people who would have voted for her simply believed she couldn't lose and so didn't bother to get out and vote...

The same happened here in Canada… many of Harpers supported thought he would cake walk to a victory and so they didn’t bother to vote...

the same happened here in Alberta....

So get involved. look closely at the candidates that you have each election and make good proper informed decision but get out there and vote. it is your minimum civic duty!

Standards by which a Christian should vote

So what standards should a Christian apply to chose the right leader?

Let me start by saying one should never vote for someone simply because they SAY they are a Christian… professing to be a Christian should not be the standard by which we choose a leader and the reason is simple....

There are lots of bad Christians out there. Christians that are selfish, mean, and rude. Christians, that would rather take care of themselves then take care of others… and the fact that they call themselves a Christian don’t not necessarily mean that they are qualified for the job… after all I’m a Christian and I by no means am qualified to run for office :)

So Here are some Standards that you Can Judge someone by.

Does their platform look our for others or self?

If you look at a candidates platform do they align with Christ teaching about looking out for and caring for those who are less fortunate?

Do the advocate for Transit and schooling, and healthcare?

Do the want to see more parks and recreation built?

How about housing for those with lower income?

or do the advocate for things that simply cater to those who already have

Jesus spent most of his time in ministry looking out for those who were less fortunate… so you might look for a politician that looks to do the same.

2. Do they balance Justice with mercy?

It’s easy to punish someone for their mistakes.... and in general it’s satisfying. We all like to see a murder go to jail for a long time because they deserve it.

We want to see a drunk driver have his car taken away because he deserves it.

We want to see people punished for the things we do… but on the flip side of that is what do we do to prevent people from doing these things in the first place.

What programs do we have to make sure a drunk driver never gets behind the wheel.

How do we fund the healthcare system, especially mental heath to catch a person before the fall through the cracks and become a murder?

Jesus was often looking at the reason BEHIND peoples sins and looked to bring healing to those situations.

As Christians we should be looking for politicians who advocate for the same

What about Taxes?

But pastor mike… all these things you’re talking about require taxes and I don’t like taxes!

What can I say.... you want real taxation? live a truly new testament existence!

Acts 4:32 shows us true Christian Taxation

Acts 4:32 NKJV

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

This is how Christians should be taking care of each other…

The fact of the matter is that everything you have you have because God allowed you to have it.

He allowed you to have it so that you can Give glory back to Him… not so that you can horde it away for yourself?

When we look at Christianity we see a movement of caring people caring for each other.... and that Caring does cost us something, and it must cost us something or else it isn’t really caring!

and that extends into our world! Look at the good Samaritan… he caring cost him something.

When he took the man who had been beaten to the inn. He payed to have him Bandaged. He PAID to have him put up and he PAID EXTRA to make sure he’d be cared for when he left!

So yes, our governments MUST be frugal with the money that we give them… and it should be spent on the right things… Things like transit and education, roads, and infrastructure. Things that benefit people who might not have to give them a leg up and care for them when they are down...

And if our government is doing that… isn’t it doing Christianity?

Tomorrow is voting day for Mayor of our City....

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