So it turns out that an opinion piece by John Dickson called ‘Christians need to consider their votes carefully’ made it into the SMH this week (here). It’s definitely worth a read … and for what it’s worth, here’s a few more thoughts from me, slightly updated since the last Federal election.
21 sleeps to go, and we’ll be lining up to collect that ridiculously large & unwieldy Senate ballot paper (I dare you to fill out every number below the line!) But there’s still time to learn, consider and pray for the Federal election, and for wisdom in casting your vote.
Question is … how would Jesus vote!? Well for one, the clichéd answers don’t stack up. The far-reaching implications of the gospel of Jesus Christ mean that we have a worldview that just doesn’t fit into the left-wing/right-wing categories. Christians want justice for the poor & those unable to help themselves (typically a liberal left-wing issue), as well as a profound concern to protect families & the unborn (typically conservative right issues). It turns out Jesus is bigger than any political party.
Second, Jesus would vote with the confidence that God is pro-government. Jesus’ apostles teach us that governments are appointed by God. “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom. 13:1) Just like families, the structure and order provided by governments is a gift from God for our good. It may be un-Australian, but it’s very Christian to honour our leaders, to thank them for their public service and to gladly pay our taxes. In Australia, we have the added blessing of a democracy where we can voice our protests … but we need to go against the flow of whinging against our governments. And the fact that government is appointed by God is reason to pray for the election outcome.
Third, Jesus would have us remember the main job of governments. God has appointed government for the good order of society, for justice: “to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Pet 2:14; see also Rom 13:1-7). And it is especially about justice for the poor, weak & powerless, “O King of Judah … do justice and righteousness … do no wrong or violence to the refugee, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place” (Jer 22:2-3). How the poor & powerless are treated isn’t a minority issue for governments, but a matter of justice and mercy. The major parties have different strategies to reach this goal – the question is, how well do their policies really help in caring for those who need help most?
Fourth, Jesus would gear up, instead of zoning out. With so much to consider and weigh up, it’s easy to throw up our hands in the air and zone out of the campaign process. There’s lots of possibilities here to gear up for the election instead: email your local MP, read up & form your own opinions, consider the relative importance of different policies, or follow the example of others by becoming an expert in one area (eg: bioethics) so you can be a help to the uninitiated.
Last, Jesus would urge us to trust not in democracy or politicians, but in the one ruler who died for his people. Winston Churchill said that democracy is the worst form of government, apart from every other type. Democracy is a great political system once you know what humans are really like. Public office exerts great pressure on our politicians, political scandals make the “news” even though they’re nothing new, and power often brings out the worst in people (just watch the antics in parliamentary question time!) Then again, our politicians are only what we would look like if someone gave us power & authority along with opportunity & influence to wield it, then put us under massive pressure and scrutinized our every move. Democracy is great because no one human gets all the power, and dodgy leaders can be replaced after a few years. It’s a system not for a world where we’re all basically good but for the real world, a world where humans can’t be trusted & are easily corrupted. So as we go to the polls, don’t put your faith in our politicians, but trust in Jesus the good leader. He is the ruler with ultimate power and yet he is the ruler who dies for his people. He can be trusted not for a term, but for all time.
Dave
