Monday, October 31, 2016

Election stuff

I know that we've done a lot of discussion about the upcoming elections, and I certainly don't want to give the impression that Christians should not engage fully in the political process.

Even with that I keep being reminded that what really matters is not who is in the Oval Office, but who sits on the throne of God.   That earthly governments are established by God, and that while it might not make sense, God is going to allow whatever best fits His plan, despite what we might think.

Is it possible that, like in Israel, God will allow us to choose leaders that will lead us away from Him?  Is it possible that God will use the leaders we select as a form of "punishment" or correction because of decisions we have made as a society?    (Obviously, the US is not in any way a precise analog of the ancient nation of Israel.  But, It does seem logical that God will permit the consequences of human free will to affect nations in ways similar to individuals)

So, I just have to keep in mind that neither Hillary or Trump is evil, they're certainly not in the same league as some of the Kings of Israel.  I also just have to keep in mind that even though it may not seem lie it to me, that God is on the throne and that His will is being done.  

2 comments:

Marshal Art said...

Of course God is in charge. That has nothing to do with whether or not someone should vote, not vote or vote in a certain way when a choice of outcomes is on the table. There are only two possible outcomes at this point in time. Either Hillary or Donald will be president. The consequences of each outcome is what one is voting to bring about or deny. Hillary simply must be denied. Donald can be replaced in four years after inflicting only limited damage, if he inflicts any at all.

Craig said...

I'm not taking a fatalistic "insha Allah" approach here, I'm suggesting that it's possible that God has chosen to use either of these candidates to "punish" the US. I'm also not arguing against voting.

I'm simply saying that it's possible that both sides have taken the demonization of their opponents a bit too far. Perhaps we've forgotten that both candidates and image bearers of the Most High God, that neither of them are evil, and that it's possible to disagree with policies without the vitriol.

Look at what people have said about Bush, McCain, Romney, and Trump. Is it even remotely logical that those four men are any of the things that they've been called? Of course not, yet even though we see folks who claim to be Christian saying the most vile things about these men, must we respond in kind. Can we not let the ridiculous "Bush =Hitler" comparisons just be the stupidity that they are without trying to respond in kind?

I've watched too many pastor friends of mine display all sorts of ungracious in Chiristan behavior all over social media in their lust to trash Trump, honestly it just disgusts me and I'm wondering if there's not a better alternative.