Election Season: What’s a Christian to do?

By: Steve Huston

While living in Japan for three years as a missionary (1989-1992), each year my ears were under constant assault during election season. Seemingly every politician had a van that was plastered with the face of the candidate and, presumably, their slogans and promises. Each of these political machines would drive through the city and countryside BLARING a recorded message, encouraging all within earshot to vote for them. The message would repeat over and over and over; I was often left to wonder if there weren’t any noise ordinances being broken. Although I lacked the language skills to understand everything that was being said, it was clear that the political process was alive and well in the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

I’ve often wondered if those little annoying vans promoted the positive things their candidates would do or if they were busy launching ad hominen attacks: Attacking the character or motivation of another and appealing to the emotion of the listener rather than dealing with the logic or reason of the issues.

Alas, in the United States of America we’ve been witnessing a continual volley of ad hominen attacks and threats to stifle free speech instead of listening to an actual debating of the issues, discussing with clarity the positives or negatives of each prospective candidate’s plans for various issues. Even the never-ending commercials we see on television or hear on the radio do not promote a sense of confidence for the thinking individual. Even when I’ve engaged others in conversation regarding the candidates and their campaigns for the office of President of the United States of America; when I attempt to discuss the issues at hand; when I point out Biblically the righteousness or evil of a candidate’s position; rarely do I get a discussion of issues; instead the person I’m talking to attempts to draw me into a discussion of personalities, how they feel about the person not the issue, while disregarding Biblical standards, right and wrong, or where the current path we are on will lead us.

It may make us nostalgic for the “good old days,” but were they? While there was better discussion of the issues and men from opposing sides would get their ideas into the newspaper and people would discuss them (mostly) civilly, tempers would flair and the problem of ad hominen attacks were still numerous.

Though there are many examples we could look at, let’s focus on this one; can you guess who this was written about?

“It is not so well known, as it should be, that this federal gem, this apostle of the parsons of Connecticut, is not only a repulsive pedant, a gross hypocrite, and an unprincipled oppressor, but that he is, in private life, one of the most egregious fools upon the continent and a strange compound of ignorance and ferocity, and of deceit and weakness.” He continued to “enquire by what species of madness America submitted to accept, as her president, a person without abilities, and without virtues.”

Journalist James Callender penned these strong and character assassinating words in 1800, used as an attack against a man who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and had served as an able foreign minister to both England and France. If you guessed that the object of these ad hominen attacks was founding father John Adams, you’d be correct. Can you imagine anyone accusing Mr. Adams of being “without abilities, and without virtues”? These attacks were leveled at the same man who wrote: “Because We have no Government armed with Power capable of contending with human Passions unbridled by morality and Religion. Avarice, Ambition, Revenge or Gallantry, would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

If you’re interested in finding out what happened to James Callender and how free speech was under attack, I would encourage you to read this article printed by telegram.com.

Why the history lesson? Because we need to understand that politics has always been nasty and the proper response of the Christian needs to be a Biblical one.

As stated, comments surrounding politics, political parties and candidates, and agendas often spiral downward into severe criticism by those who are positive that their politics and policies are much better than their opponents. This often inspires name-calling, character bashing, sub-humanizing, and the list goes on and becomes rottener with each word. Unfortunately, such actions and words also found among those who profess to be Christians. THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT TO BE SO!

With the election being only a stone’s throw away on the calendar, what is a Christian to do? First, PRAY! It’s not a trite saying; the word of God commands that “prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (I Tim. 2:1-2). Yes, a candidate’s qualifications, character, and veracity may seem questionable, but shouldn’t we pray for them instead of berating them? Regardless of party – PRAY!

Second, know the facts about the issues and know what the Bible says about those issues. In our political climate, it’s nearly impossible to find a candidate that will get an “A+” Biblically speaking; pray to the God of heaven and make sure that you are supporting the one who aligns closest to the Biblical commands.

Third, know the issues and look to the destination of the road that each candidate has attempted or is attempting to take you on. Historically, where did these paths lead? Biblically, where did such paths lead? Discuss these issues with others, maintaining a cool head and an unnatural, spiritual love for others during your discussions.

Finally, when you have done all that you can do to stand, rest in the Lord and remember that our hope is in Him, not in some political outcome. God’s decisions cannot be overcome in the voting booth; yet our vote lets our voice be heard and is our civic duty. In all that we do, whether we eat or drink (or vote) let it be done to the glory of God!

 

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