Republicrat

      Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours; they are subjects that heat in handling, until they burn your fingers. – Thomas Haliburton

Almost everyone knows that famous piece of advice from Thomas Haliburton. While religion may have been shoved to the backburner in much of the culture, that’s not the case with politics. It dominates our lives.  It seems like election cycles are interminable, whether it’s electing the President or mayor…or a local school referendum.  

Though politics seem to absorb us, they’re hardly mentioned in the New Testament. The Bible never promotes one political system over another, yet it does provide principles for our belief systems and good government, as well as guidance on how a Christian is to participate in government.

As Christ-followers, we will never feel at home in a political party because we already belong to a political society. It’s called the Church. Christ’s Church transcends national borders and breaks down worldly barriers. We don’t vote for a president; we bow before a King. We should always feel in the world yet at the same time not of the world, in America but not of America, in a political party but not of a political party. Embracing that tension is our faithfulness. And the Church will be around long after today’s empires and political parties fade away. If we’re going to put down roots, we must put them in the soil of the Church.

When we hold to biblical standards, we’ll often find, depending on the biblical standard, that we’re accused of having party loyalty. As Christ-followers, our convictions must be anchored in Scripture, not politics. Because politics are pragmatic and don’t adhere to the moral absolutes of Scripture, the positions are fluid. What may be a party’s platform one election cycle, is jettisoned for the next one…if it means staying in power. When it comes to politics, staying in power is a foundational purpose.

Often we speak without having thought through what the Bible teaches on a contemporary issue. We mime sound bites of the particular party we lean towards. So, during July on this 249^th Birthday of America year, I’m going to work through a biblical worldview of a few hot button issues. Please understand, I’m not asking you to agree with me. I’m though requesting you work through Scripture and make certain you have a biblical position. 

It’s easy to castigate a political party and I’m not seeking to change your mind. It is essential that we live out Philippians 2:4, Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. We will never love people and reach them with the gospel, unless we first seek to understand them and see life from their perspective. 

While a political party may not always adhere to them, each has a value system that does line up with Scripture. It’s what attracts Christ-followers to support parties from both sides of the aisle. Please bear with me then as I use a term coined by Carl Trueman, Republicrat and work through some positive focuses of each party. Both have good intentions going for them.

The Democrats focus on the poor.

Democratic President Lydon Johnson initiated the War on Poverty. With it came housing projects, food stamps and welfare for those in poverty, particularly families with children. Care for the poor is a biblical command. Repeatedly, the Scripture commands us to care for the poor. In the Old Testament God instituted a work-fare system to provide for the poor. Read the book of Ruth and you’ll see it. 

The Republicans focus on life issues.

Republicans have been more focused on pro-life values and being pro-life for all of life. Scripture teaches that it’s not just the unborn who need protection. This world devalues the lives of the elderly and infirm. Anything other than a pro-life position violates God’s command, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

The Democrats focus on the working person.

Decades ago, I worked for UPS which is part of the Teamsters. They worked us so hard, that they were nearly abusive. I wondered how they would treat us if we didn’t have a union. And I’ve worked jobs where we were taken advantage of because we didn’t have a union. The Bible has much to say about the treatment of workers and fair wages. The rich and powerful have historically used their wealth and power to abuse workers and to enrich themselves. 

The Republicans focus on free enterprise.

Capitalism is not synonymous with free enterprise. The Bible encourages personal ownership, creativity and hard work. Assets are privately owned, and the prices, production, and distribution of goods and services are determined by competition within a free market, not artificially controlled by government. 

The Democrats focus on immigration.

Scripture emphasizes the importance of welcoming and caring for immigrants and strangers, urging compassion and justice towards those who are displaced. Key passages like Leviticus 19:33-34 and Deuteronomy 10:17-19, highlight the responsibility to treat foreigners with kindness, as the Jews were once foreigners themselves. Persecuted Christians have historically needed an ability to immigrate, often so that they would not be persecuted or even martyred.  

The Republicans focus on individual rights.

Scripture teaches individual responsibility and rights. There are inherent human rights, such as the right to make decisions, the right to be free, the right to express oneself, the right to worship according to conscience, the right to hold property, and the right to exchange what one owns for something else. The Bible teaches a system of voluntary relationships within the framework of laws that protect individual rights against force, theft, and oppression.  

The bottom line is that politics are polarizing. Relationships, even family ones, are destroyed over politics. The gospel is far more polarizing, but the outcome isn’t only for this world. It has eternal ramifications. 

Politics and politicians come and go. Christ’s Kingdom is forever. We’re never commanded to influence others to have our political position. We are commanded to share with them how they can be part of God’s forever family and free of our greatest problem – sin. Governments helplessly seek to solve the sin problem, but the only true hope is an old rugged cross.

Jesus wouldn’t be a Republican or a Democrat. His Kingdom is not of this world (neither are we). God has a plan and only He sees the bigger picture.

So, whether one is a Democrat or Republican, remember that we’re all made in the image of God and must treat each other that way. As Galatians 3:28 says, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.