How Would Jesus Vote?

I have just finished reading a book by D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues. With 2008 being an election year, politics and politicians find their way daily into our thoughts, conversations, and lives and it is imperative that Christians examine the issues and the candidates’ positions on the issues so that we can serve God and His purpose through our privilege as citizens.

Maintaining a Christian worldview while wading through the political issues can be somewhat challenging at times, especially when topics take on an intentional “spin” by politicians and their followers. Should a Christian be involved in the political process (vote, run for office, and work for a campaign)? Certainly! Kennedy and Newcombe make this case in their book as well as placing some blame on Christians for allowing things to get to the point they are because of our complacency in the past.

Jesus and politics. They do not mix. Or so we have been told. Jesus is certainly above politics. The question is, would He have His followers be involved in the political process? (p. 4).

The authors clearly believe Christians should be involved in the political process and even go so far as to state that much of the blame for the problems we are encountering in our society “should be placed at the doorstep of the church” (p. 8).

Is God on our side or…

What side is God on? People have wanted to know that since the beginning of warfare… In the book of Joshua, the title character has an encounter with God, or more precisely, the Son of God (p.8).

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14).

Joshua asks Jesus, “are you on our side?” much the same way we ask today, “Lord are you on our side or theirs?” And how does Jesus answer? “Neither…He is not on anybody’s side.”

We want to vote “correctly,” but how do we know the right way to vote – the Christian way to vote? Jesus goes on to explain to Joshua that he will be victorious if he obeys the Lord and does what he is commanded to do. The question therefore, is not if God is on our side, but rather, are we on God’s side? You may recall that Abraham Lincoln said as much during the Civil War. In 1863 he overheard someone say that he hoped “the Lord was on the Union’s side.” The president responded: “I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” (p. 9-10)

Does God care how we cast our ballot? I believe the answer is yes. ..Yet how would Jesus have us vote? When Jesus was on earth He did not reside in a democratic republic and had no opportunity to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, those of us who make following Him our first priority believe He has spoken through His word and given us principles that can inform us on how to vote on many issues…The purpose of this book is to explore those biblical principles from which we can draw political implications (p. 10)

Issues

In this book, we will begin by looking at the broader question of whether the Bible and politics can – and should – mix. I believe that they do. Jesus said we are to “render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Luke 20:25). Furthermore, we are called to be salt and light, which has political implications. After exploring the Bible and politics, we will examine the critical issues of our nation and look for guidance from the Bible. This discussion will include many of the issues currently tearing us apart as a society.

Chapters four through thirteen deal with the following issues:

4 – Matters of Life and Death: Abortion, Stem Cells, Suicide, and Euthanasia.

5 – Crime and Punishment: Judging the Death Penalty

6 – War: Is It Ever Justified?

7 – Education and Our Schools

8 – Economic Concerns

9 – Health-Care Issues

10 – The Environment and Climate Change

11 – Immigration and Racial Prejudice

12 – Marriage: Society Smallest Unit

13 – Judicial Activism and the Courts

In a future post we will share quotes from each chapter on the above issues that affect us as Christians and Americans.

The author’s goal is to remind us that God has given us His Word and through it we have commands, principles and examples that direct our beliefs and views to a Christ-like mindset, i.e. worldview.

When we ask, “How would Jesus have us vote?” we are actually asking, “How would the Bible have us vote?” (p. 12). In fifty years I have not, to my knowledge, ever mentioned the name of either one of those political parties whose names I will not mention now, or I could not make that statement again. Lastly, I do not think preachers should tell people for whom they should vote. I do believe, however, that it is incumbent upon us as ministers of the Word of God to declare the principles and moral teachings of the Scripture that apply to public policy in this country (p. 32).

God’s word in the New Testament is our guide, pattern, example, form of doctrine, and blueprint. It is perfect, complete, authoritative, and final. We must be in complete submission to it (John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3).

As Christians, our loyalty should be first and foremost to Jesus Christ and His authority. To be loyal to a party or political figure that compromises one’s faith and principles by their words and actions, lessen our credibility as Christians and offend Jesus Christ.

Those deadly compromises are seen so often when Christians cast a ballot in a way that has no connection to their faith. We will give an account for every aspect of our lives, including how we vote. May the Lord give us wisdom to obey Him in this as well as in all areas of our lives (p. 192).

Tragically, there are Christians whom the authors describe “who have one foot stuck in the godlessness of their world and the other gingerly in the church, those who love God but embrace political principles clearly spoken against in His Word” (p. 188).

Title: How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues
Authors: D. James Kennedy, PhD and Jerry Newcombe
Boards: Hardback
Pages: 260
Volumes: 1
Dust jacket: Yes
Binding: Sewn
Topical index: Yes + 22 pages of endnotes
Scriptural index: No
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Year: 2008
Price USD: $16.99
ISBNs: 978-1-4000-7406-8

Definition of God by Adam Clarke

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, ESV).

A general definition of this great First Cause, as far as human words dare attempt one, may be thus given: The eternal, independent, and self-existent Being: the Being whose purposes and actions spring from himself, without foreign motive or influence: he who is absolute in dominion; the most pure, the most simple, and most spiritual of all essences; infinitely benevolent, beneficent, true, and holy: the cause of all being, the upholder of all things; infinitely happy, because infinitely perfect; and eternally self-sufficient, needing nothing that he has made: illimitable in his immensity, inconceivable in his mode of existence, and indescribable in his essence; known fully only to himself, because an infinite mind can be fully apprehended only by itself. In a word, a Being who, from his infinite wisdom, cannot err or be deceived; and who from his infinite goodness, can do nothing but what is eternally just, right, and kind. Reader, such is the God of the Bible; but how widely different from the God of most human creeds and apprehensions!

- Clarke’s Commentary, Volume 1, p. 27

I Serve A Risen Savior

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him He’s always near (“He Lives” Praise For The Lord, p. 220).

A risen Savior! The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the foundation for our service to Him!

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”(Luke 24: 2-7).

Consider the following thoughts on how important the resurrection is to our faith and service in Christ.

The Resurrection Of Christ – The Crowning Miracle. Happy is the man who believes Christ to be the risen Lord. Everything that is implied in the term Christian and everything that the experience of being a Christian contemplates have their foundation in the fact of the resurrection. The question of all miracles can be proved or disproved by the resurrection of Christ. There is no need of wasting time discussing the reality of the other miracles. If Christ arose from the dead, all other miracles will be freely admitted; and all that is claimed for him will be granted. His resurrection is the crowning miracle, the very foundation of the Christian faith. “If Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). Paul makes the resurrection the power of the gospel (Eph. 4:19, 20). (Rex A. Turner. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Gospel Advocate. March 26, 1953. p. 182).

RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, A REASON TO SERVE

Through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we have the confidence and motivation to serve. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 9:14; 12:28).

Serving others is a true avenue to imitate Jesus. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The Christian attitude should be the same – not to be served, but to SERVE! In all that we do for Christ and His Church we must remember “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).

In serving others, we obey and serve Christ (John 13:14-15; Matthew 25:31-46). Serving others through the example of the risen Lord also includes the spirit of humility. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We are exhorted to “be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5).

Are you serving the risen Lord through worship, edification, sowing the seed, attendance, teaching, influence, speech, works, career, family, encouraging others, giving, comforting, etc?

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find, None others is so loving, so good and kind.

Defining and Applying Christian Worldview

What is a worldview?

A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.

The Universe Next Door. A Basic Worldview Catalog by James W. Sire. Fourth Edition. (Downers Grove, IL; IVP Academic. 2004).

Applying a Christian worldview.

One of the goals of The Truth Between Extremes blog is to see things in this world through the eyes and mind of Jesus Christ. The following two quotes are from a text used in my Christian Worldview class at Asbury College. They present an application of what is involved in engaging our day to day lives as Christians with those who are of another worldview.

As Christians we have no less responsibility to think than do others and it is incumbent on us that we think in a Christian manner about the many issues confronting us as we live today. The Christian’s ability to think Christianly about every topic, every question, every decision requires that he or she develop a generally correct knowledge of reality. And this correct knowledge of reality must be developed in a world that promotes many ideas and values that contradict those held by the Christian community. That is to say, we live in a society that holds a great variety of worldviews, many of which contradict or ignore the worldview of Christianity (p. 5)

We live in an extremely complex world where we are bombarded daily with differing opinions and interpretations; it is a pluralistic world where relativism and ambiguity are important components in almost everything we do; it is a world where Christians are called on constantly to make decisions about complex matters with far-reaching implications and consequences. Without a biblical orientation, the believer is adrift in such a world, shunted off course by every current of opinion, and blown erratically by the shifting winds of intellectual fashions. We need an awareness of the process by which our worldview is established and refined in order for us to filter out extraneous elements that do not belong in the value system of a Christian. We also need such an awareness in order to focus our attention on principles and methods that will establish biblical truth more solidly in our hearts (p. 6)

Transformed Thinking. Loving God With All Your Mind by Edward M. Curtis, Ph.D with John Brugaletta, Ph.D. (Franklin, TN; JFO Publishing, Inc. 1996).

The Restoration Of New Testament Christianity

When we speak of “the restoration of New Testament Christianity,” what do we mean? Is God concerned with a “restoration”? A“restoration” to what? Wayne Jackson has ably written,

“When one speaks of a “restoration” plea, several things are implied. First, there is the suggestion that there is a divine “pattern” for human conduct. Second, God expects conformity to that pattern. Third, in the nature of things, rebellious and frail men will digress from that heavenly way. Fourth, it is the responsibility of those who revere the Lord’s will to restore, the primitive order, and call their fellows back to the “old paths” (cf. Jer. 6:16)” (Christian Courier).

Restoration is BIBLICAL! Restoration is ESSENTIAL! Restoration is ON-GOING! That the spirit of restoration is lacking in many congregations of the churches of Christ is readily conceded. An understanding, application and proclamation of the “restoration principles” must be maintained in order to remain pleasing to God.

“The acute need today seems to be that of restoring the Restoration Movement. The need to recognize that the Restoration of New Testament Christianity is a constantly challenging ideal to which every generation must dedicate itself anew. Indeed, as wiser men than I have observed, ‘the church is never more than one generation removed from apostasy.” (Tom Holland” “The Unfinished Restoration.” Restoration Then And Now (Knoxville, TN, East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions. 1983) p. 326).

In 1955 F. W. Mattox wrote The Eternal Kingdom, A History Of The Church Of Christ. His summarization of “restoration,” found in the chapter “The Unfinished Restoration” is one of the best statements in print on the subject! Read this carefully and prayerfully.

“The church which Christ built is neither denominational nor Protestant. It possesses no denominating creed, name or hierarchy. It was not founded in protest to any existing institution. It is not the product of the “Reformation” or the “Restoration.” But it is, and must be, the full-grown plant which has arisen from the “seed of the kingdom” sown in the hearts of men. Its origin is to be found in the gospel of Christ. It is founded on the apostles and prophets with Christ as the chief corner stone. To date its appearance in history earlier or later than the atonement of Christ is futile, for it is His body and He purchased it with His own blood. By its very nature, the body is exclusive: it is one. There could not conceivably be more than one body as there is but one head. In the presence of a divided Christendom one runs the risk of being misunderstood by suggesting that there is but one church. It is not here suggested that there is but one “denomination.” The church of Jesus Christ is neither Jewish, Catholic nor Protestant. It is non-denominational in its origin, worship and organization. It is the body of Christ, functioning according to New Testament directions, organized according to New Testament pattern and worshipping according to New Testament instructions, extensive enough to embrace in its fellowship all who comply with God‘s requirements and who thus become a part of that body. Moving on through time to its ultimate victory this “stone cut out of the mountain without hands” survives the rise and fall of temporal kingdoms and proves itself to be that which in reality it is — the Eternal Kingdom” (The Eternal Kingdom (Delight, Arkansas, Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961) pp. 350-351).

“Is the restoration plea still valid? This is like asking: (1) Is it still necessary for men to have a proper diet? (2) Is there still a need for men to have adequate shelter from the elements? (3) Is it still the case that every seed brings forth after its kind? In order to produce a crop of corn is it still necessary to plant corn? Is it still the case that the seed of the kingdom is the word of God? Is it indeed the case that the New Testament does in fact set out the pattern for men to follow in their journey to eternity? If there was EVER a need for and justification of the Restoration plea, then there is still a need for and justification of the Restoration plea TODAY!” (Roy Deaver, Biblical Notes Vol. XVI, November 1982 pp. 105-106)