The Politics of the Phoenix Preacher
As I sit at my desk this morning I’m aware that tomorrow is Election Day and my Oregon mail in ballot is serving as a coaster for my coffee cup.
At some point, I’ll probably vote on the ballot measures , but I won’t be voting for any candidates, as none of them seem to have any motivation for the common good, but only a great motivation to be elected.
There has been a steady stream of candidates or their representatives coming to my door (usually when I’m in the bathroom) warning me of the dire consequences should their opponent be elected.
The election is always framed as a battle between good and evil with both defined by the political couriers.
This…does not move me.
The Scriptures are my guide for what is good or evil.
Because I have always been an advocate for immigration reform, this audience has labeled me as a “liberal” Christian.
This, despite the fact that I hold a traditional, biblical view of sexuality and marriage, which should put me in the “conservative” Christian category.
Many of my close friends are business people and they vote for whoever provides them the best environment for success, or the least impediment to it. They use part of their profits for the kingdom and I think this is good in the eyes of God.
They are “conservatives’ and I love them.
I also have friends who support social justice and safety nets for the poor or infirm and I think this also is good in the eyes of God.
They are “liberals” and I love them.
This confuses people who believe that you pick one side and stick to the whole package a party offers and the people that represent that party.
I do not believe either party is on the side of God and I do believe that choosing sides in totality means compromising some part of the faith.
I reject any political adjectives added to my identity as a Christian.
If you’ve followed this site for more than fifteen minutes, you know that character in leadership, especially in the church, has been my primary focus since I began this project.
It should not come as a surprise to anyone that there was no way that I could endorse a moral reprobate like Donald Trump and not grieve over the influence his character and ways have had on the church.
I do not oppose him because he is a Republican or a conservative…he is truly neither, but he is a morally vacuous narcissist interested solely in power and wealth.
In other words, he is the template for every corrupt leader we’ve exposed in the church.
He and his kind are discipling the church to behave just like them
Christians don’t seem to be able to recognize this kind in any arena…but they embrace them with fervor.
If there is any evidence that God is judging this country, it is in the lack of godly leaders no matter where you look for them.
This does not mean I support the other side of the aisle as they are just the flip side side of a counterfeit coin.
My primary concern always has been and ever will be the church, because only in the church can salvation be found and the ways of God truly followed.
I already have a Savior and He’s already defeated the forces of evil…and when He is revealed all this other mess will disappear in smoke.
In conclusion…I care not a whit if you embrace any of the descriptors above…I care not if you are a liberal or a conservative or a centrist or just tired of it all like I am.
If you follow Christ I will gladly identify with you even if I reject your political choices.
My prayer is that we all can return to making Him the Lord over all things in our hearts…
Awesome Michael! I love reading fair minded people post these days on politics. Like you, I will be voting issues, but not one damned candidate gets a vote from me.
You know I do not fit the political spectrum in America, but my affiliation with an ideal government and society labels me a Liberal. Fact is, Liberals are the most hypocritical bunch I have ever known. Seemingly claiming socialism lite, but literally in bed with Capitalism till death do they part. No Capitalist gets my vote. They simply canāt come close to my standard of politics, regardless of affiliation. I know and love both Liberals and Conservatives. I can not relate with them politically on almost any level.
I never expect my utopia to be seen in America, but I am all for busting up the two party system, and of America could see fit to move towards vast numbers of political persuasions, the rut of being a āsocialistā or āMAGA Hatā could easily be transcended.
You used the word counterfeit to describe the political spectrum here. 100% agree.
Thank you. Now what is your assessment of Joe Bidenās moral character, using the same practiced eye as you used on Trump?
(I seriously want to know, and not for the purpose of pitting one against the other)
Thank you Reuben…just trying to flesh out what I’m really about…
Donner,
I don’t know enough about Biden to comment authoritatively…generally speaking, people that reach that level make moral compromises that are distasteful.
It’s about power and wealth and the Bible rightfully calls those snares.
In any case the church as a whole has not baptized Biden whatever his character may be.
One did not need a practiced eye to discern Trump…it had all been out there long before he ran for office.
OK Michael, thank you.
So beautifully put, Michael. There may be more folks similar to you and me and others on here, out there. I trust so.
bob1,
I hope so too…and I hope that these divisions can someday be healed.
What surprises me is “machine counting”….. So easy to rig! ! ! š
Em,
Any form of tabulation can be rigged…and has been.
Over 60 courts looked at the evidence for rigged machines in 2020…and found none.
I left this out of the article, but I might as well go all in.
The claim that the 2020 presidential campaign was stolen was a lie prepared by the former president when he knew he was losing and it’s a lie that has been spread by Christians .
That lie could well cause us to lose what we have tried to conserve about this country…and the one thing that separates a democratic republic from all other forms of governance.
It is a violation of God’s commandment…and should not be on the lips of those who claim Christ.
āThat lie could well cause us to lose what we have tried to conserve about this countryā¦and the one thing that separates a democratic republic from all other forms of governance.ā
I interpret this thing we want to conserve as the participation of the governed in the selection of their civil leaders. This is the pearl that is responsible in large part to the success and of our nation. If we take the short term view and opt for an authoritarian leader and sacrifice the will of the (whole) people, for short term political gain of a minority, we will lose the the very conditions that have made America the most free and prosperous nation in the history of the world.
Jean,
Exactly.
Yes, Michael, and as I peruse many websites populated by Christians, I see very little to no concern for how Christians behave with respect to politics. Lying, hateful comments, insults, and other un-Christian behaviors are tolerate. Why do so many Trump supporters parrot or knowingly spread lies. They are flat out unhappy their guy lost and can’t grow up and lose gracefully. Previous presidents or candidates lost and conceded, but Trump and his supports act like babies and whine and complain, and resort to lying when they should know that lying is a sin.
Dan,
This is the God of pragmatism.
Violate any Christian ethic if it will achieve a “godly” purpose.
We’ve lost the plot badly…
Michael,
Thanks for your well-expressed thoughts. I sat down with my ballot last weekend, prayed, and then cast my vote. I’m to the point where I recently abandoned my former party and re-registered with a different party because i find their behavior so distasteful. I know there are no perfect politicians (you are so right about the compromises made to rise to the top), but there is a difference between run of the mill, maybe a minor scandal here or there, and outright dishonesty and attempted overthrow of the government. We need some kind of government, and thankfully we still get to make our choices.
Linn,
It’s a mess, but it is still a privilege…I’m just burned out on all it. š
Pragmatism has its limits. Who really knows where the consequences of pragmatic decisions will end?
Thereās a certain hubris that goes along with believing that supporting or endorsing immoral means will somehow result in virtuous outcomes. There may be an immediate result that appears good, but what are the long term consequences?
There is available history that makes the point.
Well said, Michael. Much love.
Although my wife and I, in our 60ās, are Independents; the latest rant by the former President regarding the Gov of Florida was a deal breaker. This thin skinned, childish individual, has no harness on the utter trash he speaks about. I watched Looney Tunes, when I was young. This person is exactly that, along with a bit of Three stooges thrown in.
IMO, regardless party affiliation, all politicians are liars. And, in many respects, weāthe voting publicāare to blame. We donāt want to hear the truth; we want our public officials to fit into our agenda and so we hear what we want to hear.
Consequently, the politicians tell their constituents and potential constituents, what they want to hear
Itās all about power, control, and maintaining power.
I will voteābecause I feel responsible to do so and because though faulty, there is no better system, but I am a registered independent.
I will not affiliate with any party.
https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/politics/pick-the-right-politics?utm_source=Plough+-+English&utm_campaign=1f6217da81-Dig&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4cbb94afa4-1f6217da81-297102606
The article reflects a different Anabaptist point of view, but it has a lot to say (no, I’m not off to join the Bruderhof, but I do respect their stand on many things).
Linn,
That is an excellent piece…thank you.
Americans do most things to excess–perhaps especially in politics. It is exhausting, but should be no surprise. To suggest reasonable limits on election spending by candidates and PAC’s is like shouting into a gale. Why hope for reasoned statesmanship when hyperbole rules the land? For many years, Michael, you’ve decried “outrage,” but it has worn off–outrage any more is like a yawn. What will replace it?
I actually am warming up to this split Senate & House–perhaps they will either do nothing, or will have to work together. Neither party will have the green light to do anything without the cooperation of the other. The promises of the GOP to investigate this, that, and the other is foolish as is their hope to impeach Biden. Wasteful, vindictive, and counter-productive.
fil,
I think outrage is still in fashion…just redirected.
I agree with your estimation of the election outcome…
The evangelical church has been corrupted by its desire to wield political influence, to the point where it will overlook all manner of sin for political advantage (Trump, Herschel Walker). Saw the following quote recently by David French, who writes for the Dispatch and the Atlantic and hosts the Good Faith Podcast: āA proposed test for diagnosing when your politics is threatening to become your religion:
If you learn someone shares your faith but not your politics, and you immediately distrust their faith, then your politics might be displacing your religionā.
A Bryon London sighting! š¤
Dang spell check
London NOT London! ! ! š¤
I give up! “Mondok” NOT London! ! š šš
āA proposed test for diagnosing when your politics is threatening to become your religion:
If you learn someone shares your faith but not your politics, and you immediately distrust their faith, then your politics might be displacing your religionā.
Just thought that was worth repeating.
Em has a surname!! š
Captain Kevin,
Definitely worth repeating!!!