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God is not a Republican -- or a Democrat!

 So reads the bumper sticker I recently received from Sojourners. Is there any chance that it's correct? God, not a member of either political party?

I suppose it's obvious, when you think about it, but so few people think about it (especially church people, Muslim people, agnostic people and even Jewish people). We all want to believe that God (our version of God, the God we believe in) is committed to the same things we are. In fact, many times we think we are committed to being a Republican, Democrat, jihadist, or the Knights of Columbus because of God. God (we think) wants us to be whatever we are.

Look at our current dilemma. Many, many Christians have struggled to figure out how to serve God. The issues in the world are so big -- how can they affect them? But what they can do is improve their own lives. They can quit cussing, reduce their drinking, become a man who cares for his wife and kids, avoid cheating on the spouse. Personal morality, personal ethics -- that is something an individual Christian should stand for.

So, when one political party puts a person into the presidency who cheats on his wife, and lies about it -- then that party cannot be of God! It's simple, it's easy, and we can get back to the ball game.

When the other major political party puts a dry alcoholic who espouses the help God gave him in beating his addiction into office, then people can identify with his personal morality, his personal approach to faith. God must belong to that party! It's simple, it's easy, and we can get back to the ball game.

On the other hand are people of faith who understand that God loves the poor, God demands justice for the forgotten, downtrodden, homeless and hungry. "O.K.", they think, "that politician has the morals of a bitch in heat, but look at what he has done to help people get fed, get homes, get justice. I don't like his lack of morality, but it was consensual. Look at the way he has served God's purposes for thousands of people."

"And that other guy -- very moral, but he hates the poor, disenfranchises the homeless, and blames the unemployed for the fact that companies have moved their workforce offshore. What kind of God does he serve, anyway?"

It's simple, it's easy, and we can get back to the ball game.

In the Christian New Testament (Ephesians 6:12) is an important truth both sets of faith folks forget: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (NIV)

Both parties, Republican and Democrat, are the rulers, the authorities, and the power of this dark world. They are both corrupt! I don't believe that any politician can get into the national power scene without fierce ambition (disobeying the command to humble ourselves and put others higher than ourselves). I don't believe any politician can get elected without serious compromise of values, and possibly without being managed by powers of this dark world who "spin" the truth to dizzying speeds of falsehood.

So what is a person of faith, living as a citizen of the Kingdom of God and the United States of American, to do? Not vote? Not make her or his best understanding known at the polls?

No, of course not. We are all soiled (sinners in the Biblical term) and we participate as soiled citizens. The important thing is not to elevate the dark powers (in our minds and hearts) to equal status with God or to a status above God. Compassionate cynicism expresses Biblical faith better than blind adulation of either party.

 

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