Election addiction

I must admit that I have been addicted to watching the events pertaining to the election and to reading the commentaries from commentators (mostly conservatives and libertarians). Election is a weird thing, and the weeks leading to the election can be very stressful for those who are politically attuned. The uncertainties of the outcome, the all-but-random movements in the polls, and the pains inflicted on supporters by the turn of events, all contribute to the angst. For this election, the possibility that we might actually elect a treasonous Leftist makes life even more intolerable.

But I think a Christian ought to maintain a certain detachment from these events. This is not to say one should distance himself from the issues that affect life, but one’s hope must never rest on the winds and fortunes of politics. In a republican, representative-democratic body politic, we all to a small extent hold the “power of the sword,” the power of the civil magistrate that is given by God in order to maintain peace and order, to punish evil and to encourage good, and we ought to exercise that power according to God’s revealed will. This properly belongs to the realm of common grace, the ultimate purpose of which is of course to sustain God’s church (which is distinct from any political body). As Paul reminds us in 1 Tim 2:1–2,

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

one of the purposes of praying for kings and all who are in high positions is that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life. To that end, it is the Christian’s duty to vote for government officials who can, under the given circumstances and constraints, enact and enforce laws that are in keeping with Scripture. As I wrote in my previous post, this is not always possible, and in many circumstances trade-offs and compromises are unavoidable. However, in the present political landscape, it is often clear that the Demos’ creeds are patently anti-Christian, issue after issue. This is not to say that the Republicans are more godly, but with the limited influence that the Christians have, aligning with the Republicans in most political matters is probably the best we can do now. Though a registered Republican, I do not really care about the label. If the day should come when Demos are more aligned with my Christian beliefs, I would switch to that party without a second thought. But I will not hold my breath for that day to come.