Paulitics of Moral Celery

Two topics in one post! Wheee.

Politics

Three particular points regarding politics.

Firstly, we cannot judge a Christian based on their political affiliation. Ok, maybe certain ones are more obvious; say, some sort of white supremacy Aryan group. That’s pretty blatantly antithetical to Christ. But let’s take the big ones: Democrat, Republican, Libertarian. There are a few moral issues that I can think of that, I think, that would require greater discussion – e.g., abortion. Can we infer much, though, from the way someone votes or based on a party affiliation? I could choose a representative from, say, Libertarian, who is greedy, adulterous, and perhaps pro-choice. Does that mean everyone who votes for a Libertarian believes that? I could choose a gun-rights-supporting pro-life fiscal conservative Democrat. Are all Democrats that way? I could choose a slimeball Republican who accepted bribes. Are all Republicans like that? The list goes on…

Secondly, and far more strongly, we cannot judge a Christian based on their supported fiscal policy. Is one shown historically or logically to be better for a country in the short or long run? Maybe. But that’s not a Biblical issue and I’m not sure how much bearing it has on my relationship with Christ.

Thirdly, again pretty strongly, we cannot judge a Christian based on their supported social policy (e.g., social programs). I’m socially conservative, but have noticed that at the very least, a lack of compassionate rhetoric exists amongst prominent conservatives, whereas socially liberal folks tend to frequently talk about helping the poor, etc. I’m not talking about end results, I’m just talking about the way the view is presented. The degree of social programs you believe a country should have is not at all a measure of your love of Christ, His church, etc. Interestingly, Christ talked about the poor (and the rich) a whole lot. In some ways, what He talks about seems to parallel more what a socially liberal person would say, rather than a socially conservative. Christ really didn’t seem to like the greedy rich people who took advantage of the poor.

And the main point: isolating, deriding, demeaning, or offending someone, let alone a fellow believer in Christ, on the basis of the above three things is … well, I would not think it particularly Christlike. How does one deride, isolate, demean, or offend? Well, there are lots of ways. Deriding a candidate or elected official that someone else may have voted for. Making jokes about the other “party” in general. Expounding on how logically ridiculous the other side’s fiscal policy is [to you]. Talking about it as though any person with their head screwed on right would not think that way. Perhaps it is good to remember the Bible’s definition of a person’s head being screwed on right – it doesn’t have to do with governmental fiscal policy…

Patriotism

This is a bit unrelated but somewhat related as well… the church is a universal entity. It is not “multi-cultural,” it is transcendent of culture. It’s above it. Christ didn’t die for multiple cultures; he died for people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background.

Also, if a country does well, offers freedoms, does good in the world, etc., it is God who should receive praise, glory, and thanks (of course, thanking people who serve is appropriate, regardless of how they serve – government, church, home, community…).

So. What should we do in churches when July 4th comes around? Especially musically? I’ve been thinking about this and discussing with Katharyn for a while. Here’s some thoughts. I’ll start with negative ones.

Negative: Glorifying America is not appropriate.

Here’s part of My Country, ‘Tis of Thee:

My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

The “thee” here is America, not God. Going on to verse two:

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

You love the name? You love the ground? Your heart with rapture thrills “like that above.”?? I’m not even sure what that last part means exactly, but it sounds like a sort of “this is heaven on earth” … only enveloped in song and contextualized by love of a country.

How about America, the Beautiful. I’m not exactly sure what some of the phrases mean, such as “and crown thy [America's] good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.” However, when the last verse says this:

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

… I’m inclined not to give the song the benefit of the doubt, as it seems to be coming from a post-millennial viewpoint, at least, and seems to be somehow implying that an American patriot dream is to see America with white cities undimmed by human tears. The only place I can think of that does not have human tears is Heaven. America is NOT going to be heaven, and American patriotism is not going to bring Heaven.

Negative: Singing to America in a church service is not appropriate.

I go to church to worship God, not America.

Positive (hooray!): Praising and thanking God for good things IS appropriate.

Unfortunately, I cannot find songs that do this that are patriotic. If you know of one that does not go into other areas, please let me know; all of the traditional patriotic songs I have found are not centered around thanking God. At best, they petition, or mix in America = Israel theology. Singing to God, praising Him and thanking Him for the good things He has allowed us to enjoy – freedom, a beautiful land, plentiful food, peace in our land in our time – totally appropriate. And commanded.

Positive: thanking God and honoring those who have served.

I think it is appropriate to acknowledge those who have served our country and risked their lives. I do recognize that freedom has been bought and is protected with a price. I think that is deserving of honor, and I think the Bible does make it clear that we ought to honor those who deserve it. Giving thanks to those who have served and who have been used by God to bless this country is appropriate. Also, praying for protection, I think, would be appropriate.

Positive: Praying for those in authority.

In Romans 13, Paul certainly makes it clear that we are to obey those in authority; in addition, respect and honor. Paul does not mention agreeing with them when respecting or honoring. A simple reading of Romans 13:7 would lead me to think that I’m supposed to respect and honor those in authority, regardless of whether or not I voted for them or agree with their policies. Paul did not vote for Nero, nor agreed with his policies, yet said that Christians should respect and honor.

Positive: Praying for our country.

Paul specifically tells Timothy to pray for all people, including “kings and all those in authority,” saying that that is good and that it pleases God. Which God? Why, the God who “desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” I don’t think it was on accident that in the same breath, so to speak, Paul tells Timothy to pray for all people (including kings/authorities) AND tells Timothy what God’s desire for all people is. Interestingly, Paul didn’t say to pray for Rome, pray for a government, etc., but to pray for the people – in and under the government. And He didn’t tell them to pray for a leadership change, necessarily. That’s certainly not wrong to do, of course, as long as we remain submissive to God’s will, which may not be leadership change.

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