This is the first in a six part series containing some brief and highly personal reflections on the relationship between Christianity and the state before this next presidential election.
Politics: an Inexact Science
How should I vote in the up coming Presidential primary election? Before I pick a candidate, I am trying to get my thoughts in order. What does it mean for me as a Christian and a citizen to vote in this election? Of course, no thoughts in a brief blog series are going to be enough . . . so the process for me starts with super-saturation in the Bible and a rereading of five important books: Republic, Aristotle’s Ethics, The City of God by Saint Augustine, Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France,
and Liberty or Equality by Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn.
One thing all this reading teaches me is not to look for utopia or the ideal state in this lifetime. Plato’s “ideal republic” is fine as a thought experiment, but only a fool would try to make it real. Aristotle was right in the Ethics when he described politics as an inexact science. This suggests that if I err, best to err in giving the state too little power than too much.
The ideal ruler is not likely to be on my ballot this primary either. Perhaps philosophers should be kings, but there aren’t any true lovers of wisdom in this fallen world and if there were (Plato reminds us), we wouldn’t want them running our cities. We are going to vote (for in this Republic vote we must) for the best person we can find. Longings for perfect leaders are desires that can lead to the rule of tyrants. This too suggests that I look less for a great man, than a good man. Voting for this way is how one gets a Lincoln while looking for the man of destiny too often ends in Napoleon.
What I do have going for me is the Constitution of 1789 on the whole one of the most remarkable documents ever written by men. Because it was written and amended by men, it is not perfect, but it serves America very well. It is a better document than this generation deserves and it is the sovereign law to which we have sworn our allegiance. What candidate will most respect the original meaning of that document and not twist it to fit his own political whims . .. or even my desires-of-the-moment?
All this thinking is good enough, but my heart must be involved in my vote and not just my head. My flag moves me, because it represents my people. Men stand before the throne of God in nations and this is my own. Love of my nation is a lesser love to my love of God, but it is a proper love none the less. Patriotism, just like love of family, has an appropriate place in the hierarchy of loves that lead to God.
Advice from an Old Source
In looking for advice philosophical, but wise in the ways of the heart and not just the mind, I turn to my prayers. A Christian should vote in accordance with his prayers.
When I pray that “His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,” then I must vote (with the limits mentioned earlier) to try to bring a small, imperfect image of that just rule to America.
If Jesus is lord, then He must be lord of my vote. I am an American, but the King’s man first. My King Jesus wishes to see justice on His earth and I must vote (imperfectly and without hope of utopia until His return) in a measured way for this justice.
A nation that is just, that reduces in some small measure the fog of evil over the eyes of men, is better than one that fills men’s hearts with the obscuring mists of bitter pain from injustice.
The fear, of course, for some non-Christian reading these words that this is the imposition of a theocracy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. God already reigns, of course, but in this age His followers are no more to be trusted than His foes. We are all fallen and to give too much power to any men (even those proclaiming themselves Christians) is foolish.
The direct reign of King Jesus is not of this age, but of the age to come. No Christian can or should try to hustle our King into coming sooner (how foolish!) or replace Him with a tyrant ruling in His name.
We vote with the knowledge of justice gained from Faith, but attempt to explain this knowledge in a manner accessible to all. Because the faith is true, then the truths of the faith can usually be defended in many ways . . . including ways understandable by all reasonable men. We vote as Christians, but know that may non-Christians are better men (in this age) than are we. Salvation is not through our own goodness, but by divine grace . . . and so in this age of the world many that will be lost do better works than those who will be saved.
Better a moral atheist as ruler than many an immature Christian . . . since in this time some atheists are more like Christ than some Christians.
Finally, the role of the state is limited, but distinct from the church. Much power is left to the church and to the family, but some power is given to the state. These public powers have been traditionally called “secular.” This does not mean that they are opposed to God or that God has no place in public discourse, but that they are powers (given by God to the state) outside the power of the church.
The church cannot rule the state . . . as Dante points out, the state has its God-given role. The state cannot rule the church either. When I vote, I vote as a Christian and as an American, not as a churchman or a husband. I am voting for President, not head of my church.
As a result, I should know what it is Christians believe the secular power should be doing. While praying for the rule of King Jesus, how can we live now?
An American Christian has traditionally responded and prayed (with the great Battle Hymn) that our eyes might see a reflection of the coming of the Lord in the actions of our secular government. If (with doubtful horticultural accuracy, but great poetic truth) in the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me, then perhaps as He died to make men holy so we can die to make men free.
Americans have long seen the moral possibilities in our secular government.
What other prayers can help us? Some Orthodox and many Protestant Christians pray, as I do, this prayer (or one very much like it) each time they gather for the Lord’s Supper:
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
This prayer, from a liturgy shaped by a great Reformer and taken up by an Eastern church, contains profound wisdom. Each time I pray it, I am reminded of what my government should be about and what my leaders should be doing. In the next six posts, I will reflect on a different portion of this prayer.
Tomorrow we will reflect on God’s actions on the heat of a “Christian ruler.”