Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/29/2005

Question
I think you are right about the "root of bitterness" comment. I will keep that in mind and pray about it. No the reason I find these people and organziations "disgraceful" is that they are more political than they are spiritual. They are more concerned... (I believe) in a touting a political ideology and supporting the myth that it is not OK for Christians to disagree on political matters, and that their ideology is the only true Christian way. For example, I went back to the church I grew up in once, only to find a person passing out a pamphlet called  "Christain Voting Guide" which was Republican all the way. This is simply wrong. And this is what alarms me about this country.
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Followup To
Question -
Hello. I am a born-again Christian. Jesus is my personal saviour. But politicaly, I am a progressive and a liberal. I am so saddened and sickened that in the past thirty years or so, Christianity was somehow stolen by the likes of Jerry Falwell, the so-called "Christian Right" (it is my belief that they are neither Christian, nor right), the Southern Baptist Convention and the clowns that parade as Christians on Trinity Broadcasting Network. All these people and organizations are disgraceful and do a disservice to Christianity.   

There has been a very pervasive but unspoken rule in this country that unless you are a Republican, you cannot truly be a Christian. I have a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus Christ and no one can tell me how to vote except GOD and Jesus. And it is my belief that all of the aforementioned organizations are merely mouthpieces for the Republican party and neo-conservatism in general. That being said, what can be done to get back to a country where it is OK to be a Christian, and NOT a Republican????
Answer -
James,

I too, am a believer in Christ Jesus our Lord, but I am not a Republican. I will say, however, that I have voted Republican most of the time on Presidential elections.

I am curious about your characterizations of other believers though. While I don't always agree with Jerry Falwell, nor the Southern Baptist Convention, I do recognize their rights to advocate their religious beliefs to others. I would share your beliefs concerning many on TBN (clowns wouldn't be my choice of words but false teachers/prophets would), however I wouldn't say that all of these mentioned are mouthpieces of the "right-wing".

I have no way of knowing where you stand on the authority of God's Word, but I do know that the official stand of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as that of Jerry Falwell, is that the Bible is God's inerrant Word, and is the final authority on matters of faith and practice. I would like to see all believers accept that as a Biblical principle.

I would ask what it is about the SBC and Jerry Falwell that are disgraceful? Is it because they declare that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father as declared in Scripture? Is it because they believe that there is a standard of righteousness that every believer should seek to portray in their life?

I don't think any of these people or organizations would say to you that you cannot belong to the Democratic party and not be a Christian. I have many wonderful friends and relatives that are not Republicans. Many of them are also believers in our Lord Jesus.

I suppose that without a clear understanding of your view of what constitutes a "Christian", it would be extremely difficult for me to answer your question about how to return to a country where it is ok to be a "Christian" without being a Republican. I would say though, that as a believer in Christ, I am grateful that we have at least one political party in America that isn't afraid to declare that it is okay to be a person with strong religious beliefs, and that those persons of strong religious beliefs have a right to be represented in our country as well as those without those strong beliefs. I don't agree with the progressive liberal views on many issues, but I believe that those with those beliefs have just as much right to be represented by government as anyone else. I just don't think they have a right to special treatment under our Constitution.

I hope this has answered your question, even though it may be an incomplete answer. As I said, without going into detail about one's definition of "Christian", it is difficult to know a proper response to your question.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

PS. My prayer is that you will ask the Lord to prevent a root of bitterness from arising in your heart. It is one of the tools that Satan uses in believers to prevent them from fellowshipping with other believers who may not be in step with their beliefs. Many of my conservative friends also need to ask this of the Father.

Answer
James,

Thank you for following up with more information. I do understand that there is much political activity in our churches, and sometimes this can be a problem. Sometimes, the focus is removed from worshipping our Lord to worshipping a polical system. When that happens, whether it is from a conservative platform or a liberal platform, the line has been crossed.

I will say though, that there does need to be awareness of the differing views from a Christian perspective. For instance, Christians need to make informed decisions when exercising their duties as Citizens of our great country. The Bible gives distinct instructions concerning our understanding of matters of the conscience. Romans says because they "did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of  God , that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:28-32).

It is a Christian duty to educate people about God's will for their lives. It is also a Christian duty to retain God in our knowledge. There are two differing views in our world today. It goes way beyond "conservative vs. liberal". It actually goes to the heart of our freedoms and liberty as people of God. If we allow our minds to be changed from holding steadfastly to God's principles, we face the risk of being turned over to a reprobate mind.

May I suggest that neither the "Republicans" nor the "Democrats" nor the "independents" are our Lord. The Lord Jesus alone deserves our praise and worship. Our understanding should come from the Word of our Lord.

The "voter guides" are used by political parties on both sides. The best guide is God's Word, which is infallable.

I recently was directed to a website that was helpful to me in determining where I stand in regard to my worldview. To my knowledge, it isn't a "Republican" nor a "Democrat" website. There are, however, interesting items that can help one understand where they stand in regard to God's views. May I suggest that you, as well as others, might want to use this helpful tool in determining if the views you hold to are views that are, according to God's Word,  views that are helpful to the Christian cause. The website is at http://www.worldviewweekend.com/test/register.php .

There are basically two different worldviews. One is a "thiestic worldview" and the other is a "secular worldview". I would encourage you to consider these two in your quest for knowledge. I am not endorsing the books or other materials that are available at that website. I simply am posting it as a site I went to to evaluate my worldview. May I also state, that I was not pleased with the results of my testing at the time I took the test.

I am hopeful that some of this has been helpful.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn