Tuesday, 22 April 2008

• Who Would Jesus Choose?

  by miss hibiscus

  One thing that definitely has to be on a lot of minds is the upcoming Presidential Election.  Am I right?  Tonight is no different since it was/is the Pennsylvania primary (which has been claimed as a Hillary Clinton victory on CNN.com). 

  I don’t want to talk about the candidates too much, but like every election, people have very different opinions about each of the candidates.  Amongst Christians, the opinions can tend to revolve around a candidate’s personal and spiritual life more than their political history.  I know Christians who don’t believe that neither Hilary nor Barack are really Christians, even though they go to church and speak openly about their experiences with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  I know Christians who were die-hard Mike Huckabee supporters because he trained in a (legitimate) seminary to be a Minister before his political career took off.  Others support John McCain because he’s a Republican and that’s who the Evangelical Christians are always supposed to vote for (you know, because we shouldn’t support homosexuals, abortion, or stem cell research – all of which the Democrats usually support).

  From what I gather, there are a ton of Christians who want a Jesus-loving, Bible-thumping, abortion-condemning, gay-hating, Creation-believing President, because if that kind of person is in the Oval Office, then the rest of America will change, all the “evil” things we’ve allowed will be abolished, citizens will turn back tothe Lord, and God will bless our country again.

  And maybe I’ve been too sarcastic and given away my position already, but I’m not entirely sure this is the direction American Christian voters should be taking.

  As in, does it really matter if we have a Christian president?

  Outside of the U.S., there are postmodern nations that are experiencing a revival in their Christian populations (e.g., Great Britain).   And these Christians are realizing that their country is not necessarily going to change because the right* person is in the right office with the right staff.  They have decided that their fellow citizens and neighbors will be changed only if they themselves go out into their communities to personally communicate and display Christ’s transforming love and grace.

  Well, doesn’t that remind you of someone? 

  Jesus wasn’t born on this earth as a Prince.  He didn’t lead the Jews to rebel against the Roman authority of his time.  He didn’t seek any political office to change the laws of the land.

  He went out amongst the people.  He talked to them, hugged them.  He ate with them, laughed with them.  He healed them of incurable diseases but alsojust made sure his friends weren’t hungry while they were listening to him preach. 
  

  He chose to affect people through relationships, conversation, and companionship, not by sitting on a golden throne and signing his name to a thousand new laws.  I guess he could have, but he didn't.
  

  I think voting is absolutely important for all citizens – don’t get me wrong about that.  We should continue to research the issues, take our stands, and vote, vote, vote. And the Presidential office is powerful and important, so I understand why Christians want to vote for a fellow Christian, I do.  But no matter who the nation elects as President, I think God can use that person to carry out His will if He so chooses.  And no matter what, God can (and wants) to use us too, so we must do our part!  Christians or not, we as citizens have a responsibility to shape this country’s future and we cannot leave it solely to the politicians.  But specifically as Christians, we have a responsibility to be Jesus to our neighbors.  And we can take heart that the Holy Spirit gives us the power and strength to do even more than Jesus did while he was on earth.

  I’m honestly really excited about this year’s election.  But I’m also excited for the roles that each of us may take on in the next 4 years. How much will we be a force for change and good in our communities? How will that affect the U.S.as a whole?  How will that look to our allies and enemies? 

  I hope you’re excited too.

  
  

  
  

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  * I don't mean right with a capital R, as in right-wing/conservative; right, as in, correct.

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  A note from the author:
  
  hello there!
  
  i just wanted to respond to the huge number of comments posted for this entry.  if you don't know already, revelife is actually a collaborative effort by several different bloggers.  so the views expressed in this entry may not necessarily be shared by all the bloggers (gosh, that sounds ridiculously "official").
  
  anyway, first i just want to say that it's really great to see so many comments/responses/opinions.  and second, it's frakking scary to be a featured entry!  but honestly, i've really enjoyed reading everyone's comments.  obviously, i did not think everyone would agree with my thoughts - i mean, hello... jesus + politics?! i was practically asking to be burned.  but i was surprised by so many positive responses, from both christians and non-christians.  the negative responses were welcomed too, because i really believe that open dialogue is necessary to learn and grow.  and although some of the comments stung a bit, they have challenged my thinking and made me want to read and learn more. 
  
  since this was a blog entry, and not a Ph.D. dissertation, i won't expand too much on what i've already written or try to defend it.  i think it is what it is -  a snippet of my opinions!  but i do want to share a little bit about myself since a few of you were asking.  here it is:
  
  1. i am not chris choi .
  2. i am (obviously) not an expert on politics or christianity.
  3. i am a christian and what that means for me is that i realize that i am deeply, innately flawed and in need of someone to save me.  for me, that savior is Jesus Christ, who as a man died to pay my debt, but as God conquered death on my behalf.  he did these things so that i could have a fulfilling and meaningful life on earth now and an eternal (and equally fulfilling) one in heaven later.
  4. i am still figuring out how my faith effects my entire life - my relationships, my work, my politics, my causes, my everything.  i try to live out  the things that Jesus taught, but i don't believe there is a cookie cutter mold for all christians.
  5. my reference to the UK comes from my experience there as a missionary.  "revival" may not have been the correct word in my example, but what i mean is that christians are rediscovering what it means to live as followers of Christ, and i believe they are breaking out of an antiquated christian mold while loving jesus christ more passionately than ever before.  their numbers may be small, but their faith is completely sincere and alive and inspiring.
  6. i voted for Clinton in the primary, but would be satisfied with Obama.  however, i did once vote for Bush.  i'm  a registered Democrat, but i really liked Ron Paul as a candidate.  i respect Huckabee for many things, one of which is that he was willing to make fun of himself on SNL!  sorry, but i'm just not a fan of McCain at all.
  7. i want to know who the final Cylon is! (*high five* if you get this)
  

  thanks again for visiting.  come back anytime.

  love&peace,

  h

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