WWJV? (For Whom Would Jesus Vote?)

What if Jesus had came back in the recent past? Let’s say He did, but much like before: not in glory, but simply as a child who would grow up indistinguishable from anyone else on the street. Fast forward a year from now, and early November is less than a month away. For whom would Jesus vote? Would He vote? 

In scripture, the political scene was always following Christ around, but He never gave it much attention. Religious leaders tried to trap Him in politics (“Should we render unto Caesar?”), the government feared Him as a potential threat to the peace or even its own power (Herod’s massacre of infants and Pilate’s concerns at Jesus’ trial), and zealots wanted Him to strengthen their cause and drive out the Romans (He was constantly asked if and when He would drive out Rome and restore the glory of Israel). Despite pressure from all sides, Christ could not be pulled away from the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s safe to say He was worried about more important things.

Can we say the same of ourselves? Is church really church or is it a social club for people of the same political party and ideology?  Many churches feel like a pep rally for shared, ingrained beliefs (or voting patterns) rather than a place that challenges how people think and encourages mental or spiritual growth. We’ll comfort and encourage a man struggling with adultery, but Heaven forbid a liberal democrat should feel accepted in evangelical churches. A disturbingly large number of church-goers with whom I have spoken have difficulty describing a single catechism (or don’t even know what catechism is), but can rattle off dozens of reasons why they know Obama should not be president…which often leads to yet another person over-hearing and throwing in their own two-cents’ worth, yet not really saying anything different.

This problem isn’t just limited to the political spectrum either. A lot of churches seem to want someone or something to fight, as if it is them against the world, thus polarising an entire nation and alienating anyone and everyone of a different political or ideological background. In so many Christian circles the gospel of Christ’s love is all but replaced by the gospel of being right. 

 

The topic of the so-called “Culture War” is quite popular in such circles. As if to say that if someone isn’t a “right-wing evangelical,” then they must be actively fighting against evangelicalism. In my current environment (deployed over-seas in an infantry unit), I have access to a very wide variety of people who come from all sorts of backgrounds from all over the nation, from Jews to Muslims, and agnostics to atheists, so I decided to ask around to get an idea of what goes on in the minds of some on the other side of this “Culture War.” Oddly enough, hardly anyone—even fellow Christians—had even heard of this war, much less knew that they were fighting it; in fact, only a single person was at all familiar with such a concept, and felt that such a war was a horrible waste, especially for people who should be concerned with loving as opposed to fighting. That no one was aware of such a war, or felt a need to be hostile or even overly defensive to evangelicals, seems to indicate that it is more likely our own little fantasy. Let’s be honest: it feels exciting to be actively working against something. It feels good to be right. It reaches to our competitive nature. It keeps us on our toes. It fuels books and debate. It makes for good television.

However, Christ didn’t command us to make good television…or to be right. He commanded us to put our investment and focus not in temporary politics or books that will get torn and faded, but in heaven where there is no rust or dust. I have never seen or heard of anyone who came to Christ through debate or argument, but I have heard of and witnessed people who could see Christ’s love in the actions and care demonstrated by His followers, which lead them to want to be a part of it. I am in no way saying to neglect the study of apologetics, or that it is unimportant to understand what we believe and why we believe it. I most whole-heartedly promote constant learning about our belief, but this is to protect our own faith, not to convince others that it is right. Liberal democrats and secular humanists are not the enemy, but rather, if anything, innocents whom Christ would liberate from the real enemy. Actions most certainly do speak louder than words. How can we expect to do anything to improve any earthly government for Christ if we neglect the Kingdom of Heaven in pursuit of one that will fade away? “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” -Ephesians 6:12