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Polite conversation among many is to avoid religion and politics. Unfortunately, those two topics are at the top of the list for discussion during this election year.
Politics has always had a seamy side. There have always been those who will use any means possible to gain power. Occasionally there are those who enter politics with pure motives but often even they are sullied by their involvement.
Baptists historically are divided into two main camps when it comes to politics. Some seek to stay as far away as possible. Others look for opportunities for involvement. Those wanting a piece of the political action may want to do so for the cause of Christ. They see advancing a biblical morality as a part of being salt and light. Someone wrongly has said you can’t legislate morality. Actually, all legislation is morality, it is just a matter of whose moral code you use.
For the first part of the 20th century, the Southern Baptist Convention was seen as the Democratic Party at prayer. For almost the last 50 years many Southern Baptists have reversed their identification to the Republican Party. To be closely identified with one political party can hinder our witness.
If anyone thinks the Kingdom of God is going to be ushered in by a political party or candidate, they need to clear their heads. Our answer is not in a victory in the next election cycle. We need a spiritual renewal among God’s people. We need a 2 Chronicles 7:14 type repentance that will bring God’s favor.
All of this said, there is still a place for participation in the political process. The American system of self-government is an experiment that allows us to express our beliefs through the ballot box. As good citizens of this country in obedience to Romans 13 and other scriptures, we have the privilege to influence the direction of our government. If we abdicate the right of exercising our faith in the public square, we may end up like Nazi Germany, Communist China or worse.
Recently, an Executive Branch administrative ruling placed undue requirements on people of faith. Faith-based ministries are being told to provide contraceptives and abortifacients through insurance coverage. The Southern Baptist Convention’s insurance provider, GuideStone, would be required to provide for the “morning-after pill” and other abortion-type drugs. Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is calling for civil disobedience.
The ruling is a violation of the civil rights of the unborn baby. Vying for the life of the baby is a vitally important matter that should be a core conviction for all believers. There is another challenge that virtually rises to the same level. The recent ruling that mandates faith-based ministries to provide a morally unconscionable service infringes upon our religious liberty. If we lose our religious liberty we will have a greatly diminished ability to advocate for the life of the unborn.
The first step we are to take is pray. I pray for the president daily. I pray for God to have mercy on our country in the legislative and administrative march away from biblical morality. I pray for spiritual renewal among believers. The real problem we face is apathy about personal and congregational holiness and obedience in the communities of faith. I pray for a spiritual awakening of those who do not know our Lord and Savior. Prayer is not a last resort; it is the first step.
Secondly, we should seek to influence public policy. Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. Saying you are going to focus only on spiritual matters may sound pious but without helping to preserve the freedoms that we have, it may result in all of us doing ministry under a repressive regime. You can’t let politics become your ministry but speaking up and showing up can be done without hindering your witness.
Finally, support candidates on the issues. It is like the uneven analogy that asks, “Would you rather have a really proficient non-believer as a surgeon or a wonderful believer who is a poorly skilled doctor?” While I would prefer to have a candidate who affirms the Baptist Faith and Message, I will support a candidate who stands for principles that more closely reflect biblical principles than the other candidates. Our choice may end up being the lesser of the two evils. In our system of government we can’t abandon our responsibility before God.
Religious liberty is a God-given right that is guaranteed under the United States Constitution. I have been to Lebanon, India, Cuba and other countries where they don’t have the privileges we enjoy. We are able to embrace the unengaged because we have religious liberty. These two are not mutually exclusive. They are necessarily complementary.
