christian principles in politics

(Picture: Renfro kids and Mama and Papaw Martinez at Furman)

I sat in on my grandparents' Sunday school class a month ago.

My grandpa - papaw as we call him, John Martinez - was giving the lesson. He outlined many Christian principles to consider in election year. These principles do not fall under just one of the major party's umbrella, and his lesson really convicted me and challenged me to look deeper at what, as a Christian, I am to stand for in the political realm.

Years ago Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics: Why the Right Get It Wrong and the Left Don't Get It" came to speak at Furman and I told Papaw about this and he went out and bought the book and has read it many times. I have yet to read it but I want to. With this election, I have been challenged all over again. With God's principles, God's word, as my guide, I will continue to explore what God has to say about these matters since what I formerly believed has been shaken up a bit. It's good to be shaken up, so once things settle their foundation will surely be more secure once that foundation is God's word, if that makes any sense. Not that it wasn't God's word before, but the lens was very narrow and I want to consider the other view, the other side, which my grandfather did very well.

John Martinez gave our lesson entitled "Christians and Politics." Some of his presentation came from a sermon given by Greg Buchner in Michigan entitled "Elections, Politics, and Christianity: Hot Topics 2004." Greg says that Christians are supposed to get involved with politics(especially when God's values are at stake)!

Our Bibles tell us that God has ordained the system of civil government to protect the innocent, and to maintain proper order.

Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-15 tell us that Christians are to be peaceful, law abiding citizens.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 tells us we are to pray for and honor our government leaders.

Matthew tells us to faithfully pay our taxes in chapter 22, verse 21.

Work for the highest good of all people comes in Proverbs 3:27 and Galatians 6:10.

We are told in Proverbs 29:2 that this includes working to promote Godly principles in politics and government.

The five characteristics of the Christian voter are 1)they recognize that God ordains leadership, 2)we get involved, 3)we vote, 4)we understand true
freedom, and 5)we keep the real goal in focus.

We, as Christians, are called to be good Americans, to follow and obey our government as long as what we are asked to do does not violate the laws and commandments of God.

Many of our founding fathers were not orthodox Christians yet founded this
country on religious principles. Notable among them was Thomas Jefferson
and James Madison.

In a news release from the National Council of Churches entitled "Christian
Principles in an Election Year" the following were cited:

1)War is contrary to the will of God,
2)God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation,
3)God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the well-being of our global neighbors,
4)God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society, 5)Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth,
6)the earth belongs to God and in intrinsically good,
7)Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers,
8)Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick,
9)Because of the transforming power of God's grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other,
10)Providing enriched learning environments for all God's children is a moral imperative.

WE MUST NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOR AND WE MUST LOVE OUR ENEMIES.

*Not sure why this was in bold. The Sunday school class secretary had typed out the ntoes. No explanation - just big and bold - do not bear false witness and love your enemies. Love everybody.

What does that look like? What would that look like if Christians were more intentional and resolved to love everybody? Isn't that what Jesus did? How does that translate into policy, being stewards of our resources, leadership, international and internal relations? Hmmmmmm.