Christians, Politics, and Voting

[Orion]

The Bible doesn't say anything about whether Christians' should be involved in politics, i.e., voting, or running to hold political offices, or campaigning for others' who aspire political office, or campaigning for particular politically driven issues, etc. 

Some Christians view modern politics, voting and office-holding, as not of God, but fleshly, worldly, and of the devil who is the god of this world and prince of the power of the air.  These Christians refrain from all things political, including voting, which gives them a clear conscience when politics and politicians do nothing but throw mud and cause havoc.  

Other Christians view the right to hold office and vote in elections as something sacrosanct that every Christian of age should engage in, as if it were something ordained by God as a way to advance the Kingdom here on earth, as something sanctified, and a blessing of God. 

To be clear, politics and office holding is not new, nor is the concept of democracy (rule of the people).  But both, having a say and holding office, were birthed in a very secular godless Greek society dating back more than  2,300 years. These Greek practices were further adopted by Rome, and was something Roman citizens enjoyed to one degree or another. 

But where Is the one True God in the modern political landscape? God does not dwell in buildings made of stone, but in the hearts of the faithful.  So, where is God when politicians agree to allow Satan worshippers open a session with a Satanic prayer, and allow the Satanic Temple to place its Satanic statue in State House's and plazas for all the world to see?  Not to mention the fervent atheist communists that are office holders, and antichrist practicioners who've held office for decades.  Where is God in modern politics?

When one takes a close look at the past and current party platforms,  as well as the people at the upper echelon of the major parties, and take a close view of the condemnations that flow from far left to far right and from every point in between, it becomes less clear which is godly and righteous in the eyes of God, though each will attempt to take claim of that standard. 

Considering the awful nature of modern politics, and the continual evil of men and women from the left and the right that are in politics, should God loving God fearing Christians be involved and thus be complicit in the evil that continually grows out of modern politics?

[Alive]

These are all valid points and questions. My view is simple. I think about my grandchildren and vote in a way I think will provide a peaceful life for them.

[Marathoner]

13 minutes ago, Orion said:

Considering the awful nature of modern politics, and the continual evil of men and women from the left and the right that are in politics, should God loving God fearing Christians be involved and thus be complicit in the evil that continually grows out of modern politics?

I will have nothing to do with such things, my friend, but I am not in a position to dictate what others do (or don't do). I recall the scripture,

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.” (Revelation 22:10-11 NASB)

Therefore, I remain silent. Let others do as they will but as for me, I focus only upon what the Lord has me doing today. If my example is not in agreement with my words, then what effect will my example --- and words --- have? Those who love a lie will continue loving lies, and this pleases the Lord; the deeds and words of men and women convict them in the sight of the Holy One who is the judge of both the living and the dead. 

What have I witnessed? The triumph of the Lord from the darkest of times and days, and the unspeakable evil of man from the comfort of security. The poor and needy slashed by the knives of the insolent... preachers of righteousness who are workers of iniquity... and the destitute who give thanks to the Lord of glory for a cup of water or something to eat. I marvel at the wisdom of the Lord, Orion. Let the insolent seek after the desire of their hearts. 

I pray that I never weary of doing good.   

[Debp]

5 hours ago, Alive said:

These are all valid points and questions. My view is simple. I think about my grandchildren and vote in a way I think will provide a peaceful life for them.

Likewise, when I realized the craziness of the transgender agenda even brainwashing Kindergarten children in schools, I voted accordingly.   Christians should vote for candidates that will seek to protect the children.

[timf]

As a voter offered the possibility to vote for someone bad, the lesser of two evils, or someone who might do some good. I will only vote if there is someone who I think might do more good than bad.

A little over 30 years ago I was involved in politics in my state. I started thinking it was a civic responsibility, while unpleasant (like sewer work), still necessary. In two years I concluded it was an irredeemably corruptive process.

I suspect that we are told to pray for those n authority rather than seek to be in authority is that there is an intrinsic and basic incompatibility between Christ and the world.

Joh_15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

[other one]

People in the USA are kind of in a special position compared to almost all History.   Being a constitutional republic, our government is written law.  The constitution is our governing power, and it set positions to carry out the decrees of that document.   It also puts the burden of selecting the people to fulfill those positions. We are kind of obligated to vote to get the better people to fill those offices.

If God allowed this form of government to be established here, it seems logical to me that he expects us to put in people that he would approve.

Just sayin'

[Hinds Feet]

Politics is definitely of this world.  I see governance and politics as two different things.  God established governing bodies as a means to protect the people and establish order.  And these bodies are simply supposed to establish justice.  Politics is all about selfishness in a way.  Politics is about what can I get for my group, and how can I prevent the other group from getting what they want.  It is divisive by it's very nature.  It prevents people from coming together.  It's one thing to disagree on something.  But politics paints the picture that disagreements mean the other side is the devil.  So all we end up with is a bunch of devils.  And no wonder, because politics is of this world, and the devil is the god of this world.

 

Ultimately when it comes to the Church, we are supposed to be governed by God's law in Christ.  We see in the Book of Acts where the Church saw each other as brothers and sisters.  And of course they were.  They brought in their wealth into the Church, and the apostles gave to all where there was need.  So in the Church, there was no lack.  Everyone saw their possessions as common among them. (This is particular to what the people gave)  Back then, this was only a few thousand people.  There are over 2 billion Christians in the world today.  With all that wealth and possessions, we wouldn't be fighting in the political world for the things we need if we came together as brothers and sisters.  So I argue what area would God want us to focus more on?  In politics, or coming together as brothers and sisters like they did in the Book of Acts?  Remember, the apostles lived in a time where their nation was a vassal state to Rome.  There wasn't much representative democracy going about during that time.  Yet, they were successful in their lives.  How much more should we be living this way in this modern society?

[Alive]

5 minutes ago, Hinds Feet said:

Politics is definitely of this world.  I see governance and politics as two different things.  God established governing bodies as a means to protect the people and establish order.  And these bodies are simply supposed to establish justice.  Politics is all about selfishness in a way.  Politics is about what can I get for my group, and how can I prevent the other group from getting what they want.  It is divisive by it's very nature.  It prevents people from coming together.  It's one thing to disagree on something.  But politics paints the picture that disagreements mean the other side is the devil.  So all we end up with is a bunch of devils.  And no wonder, because politics is of this world, and the devil is the god of this world.

 

Ultimately when it comes to the Church, we are supposed to be governed by God's law in Christ.  We see in the Book of Acts where the Church saw each other as brothers and sisters.  And of course they were.  They brought in their wealth into the Church, and the apostles gave to all where there was need.  So in the Church, there was no lack.  Everyone saw their possessions as common among them. (This is particular to what the people gave)  Back then, this was only a few thousand people.  There are over 2 billion Christians in the world today.  With all that wealth and possessions, we wouldn't be fighting in the political world for the things we need if we came together as brothers and sisters.  So I argue what area would God want us to focus more on?  In politics, or coming together as brothers and sisters like they did in the Book of Acts?  Remember, the apostles lived in a time where their nation was a vassal state to Rome.  There wasn't much representative democracy going about during that time.  Yet, they were successful in their lives.  How much more should we be living this way in this modern society?

Tried it...it doesn't work. There is a lack of discernment and real maturity and the majority of folks professing christianity--are not.

These people simply make a living on the Gospel--on the backs of the true believers.

[Hinds Feet]

7 minutes ago, Alive said:

Tried it...it doesn't work. There is a lack of discernment and real maturity and the majority of folks professing christianity--are not.

These people simply make a living on the Gospel--on the backs of the true believers.

Of course the Book of Acts lays out for us God's design.  God's ways shouldn't be abandoned because there are people taking advantage of it.  This is why we use God's discernment, and judge based on the fruits.  And let God deal with those who seek to take advantage of the Church.  (Remember what happened to Ananias and Sapphira)

[Alive]

13 minutes ago, Hinds Feet said:

Of course the Book of Acts lays out for us God's design.  God's ways shouldn't be abandoned because there are people taking advantage of it.  This is why we use God's discernment, and judge based on the fruits.  And let God deal with those who seek to take advantage of the Church.  (Remember what happened to Ananias and Sapphira)

He taught us that the wheat and tares are allowed to exist in this age.