I'm not sure if you're aware or not, but 2020 an election year in America. Yeah, really. And elections, along with every other semi-important avenue of public life, have become so contentious that it seems safest to just stay out of any substantial discussion. Especially if you're a Christian, you're placed into an awkward position. Most evangelicals tend to be conservative politically, and yet the conservative candidates, including the current president, tend to have conspicuous character flaws. So believers have to decide where they want to place their compromise if they vote at all. I think it is important in a country like ours for citizens to vote. So, in my opinion, we should try and arrive at some clarity of conscience, and make a decision.
Eric Metaxas and David French are high profile evangelicals who, as far as I can tell, well represent the two Christian positions during the current election. Watch the video linked above (rather lengthy) to hear their views. (If you’re on a smartphone and the video isn’t showing, click here. Sorry about that.) I'd recommend that if you're short on time, watch the first 30 minutes. This time frame will give you both mens' opening arguments. If you have more time, at least go to about halfway through (50 minutes), as this will give you both of their rebuttals.
I don't want to comment much on their arguments. But let me say a couple of things: First, it seems that French is a little more optimistic about America's current societal moment, while Metaxas is a little more pessimistic. I think that there is truth on both sides. French does say early on that things are bad in America, but his arguing that Christians need not fear the results of this election assumes certain things about the current moment which I don't think opposing Christians assume. Metaxas sees the election as a clear issue of "Vote for Trump or else the current progressive trend in America will continue." One criticism of this view could be highlighted by asking Metaxas if he thinks the progressive trend has slowed down during Trump's current term. That being said, my disdain for progressivism and what it produces puts me into more agreement with Metaxas than French here. Nevertheless, to French's point, Jesus is King regardless of who is president.
Second, French might warrant some criticism for suggesting that Christians' witness is compromised by voting for Trump. In a day like today where progressive metaphysics (read: beliefs, values, affections) seems to be growing quickly, I'm not sure if Christians could do anything that wouldn't get criticism from non-believers. "Vote left, for our witness" has at least as many problems as solutions.
That leads to my third and final point: While Jesus did tell his followers to make sure that as much as it depends on them, they live at peace with everyone and be light-shiners in a dark world (see Mt. 5:14-16, Rom. 12:18), he also said quite clearly that the way the world knows our faith in Him is by our love for one another (see Jn. 13:35). How we treat each other is meant to set us apart from the world. Therefore, my prayer is that Christians would love one another and not write each other off in this election cycle. I think French and Metaxas demonstrate that there are good reasons to vote either way. If it can be settled that your vote is a conscience issue (and I think it can be settled - make a choice based on what will leave you with a clear conscience), then we in the household of faith shouldn't be judging one another for our vote. "Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God" (Rom. 14:10).
Abortion is evil, and I'm closed-minded about this. Progressive metaphysics are functionally atheistic, and prone to produce more injustice than justice. Classical liberalism is all but dead, and progressivism is filling the gap left behind. But it is also true that Trump has character flaws and has done and said things which Christians shouldn't support. An all-out apologist Trump-support is problematic and worthy of criticism. Sigh, this is difficult. Let's show a little grace toward each other, let the Lord be the Lord, and disagree well. The Lord has been building his church for 2000 years; He will not stop because candidate A or B is elected.
No comments:
Post a Comment