The Christian and Current Events

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a tremendous battle being waged for the presidency of the United States.  With the current president having served his maximum two terms and the current vice-president not running, candidates in both parties are vying for the nomination and privilege of being on the ballot in November of this year.  So far, this race has been contentious, to say the least.  The recent passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, however, has thrown gasoline on an already burning blaze.  It was not long after the news came out that the Republican majority leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, vowed that the Senate would not consider any nominee sent to it by President Barak Obama.  The president, on the other hand, has asserted he will be sending a nominee to the Senate in due time.  What would have already been a fierce fight in the upper chamber will now be intensified because of not only a presidential election year, but the precarious balance between the conservative and liberal ideologies that already exists on the Supreme Court (I wrote about the consequences of elections, particularly in terms of the Supreme Court, here).

How should we, as Christians, respond to the increasingly polarized and contentious political landscape that characterizes our nation?  A natural reaction among many is to avoid any discussion of politics because of the bitter feelings that can be expressed.  While it is certainly easier to not discuss it, I’m not convinced this is a viable option for us.  There are lots of things that are difficult to discuss, but we must be ready and willing to speak the truth in love to one another in all areas – including politics.

So, if we must be ready to speak about the political events occurring around us (such as the nomination of Scalia’s replacement), how can we do so in a manner that is Christ-honoring?  First, we must be in prayer for the leadership of this nation.  1 Timothy 2:1-4 commands us to pray for our political leadership, regardless of whether we agree with them or like them.  As we pray for their decision-making, well-being, and ultimately their salvation (where appropriate), we discover that our attitudes will begin to change.  Our rebelliousness and disdain for those we disagree with will abate, and we’ll be able to better live out Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.  Second, we need to avoid any sense of hopelessness in regard to the ever-changing political landscape.  What is it that we communicate to others when we are despondent when the political winds are not favorable to our position?  Simply put, it’s that we trust more in the earthly system and less in the sovereignty of God.  Rather than looking forlorn, let’s continue to speak the truth in love joyously, always reminding people that we do not place our trust in political leaders (cf. Psalm 146).  Our trust is in the Lord, the King of kings who can change the hearts of those leaders (Proverbs 21:1).  Finally, we need to be thoroughly versed in Scripture and current events.  Spurgeon would instruct young pastors to read the Bible beside the newspaper, looking for ways to apply Scriptural truth to the events of the world.  Today, as events seem to be out of control and without direction, people need to hear the Gospel all the more.  Just something to think about…