Clinton, Obama and the Kingdom of God -- OR -- Just a Reminder: Jesus Wasn't Elected Lord
I guess there've been some other things going on in the world for the past three weeks while I've been engulfed in the Surprised by Hope series. So I'll try to catch up.
OK, I guess there's this whole election thing going on. Super Tuesday, Part II. I guess ST-I didn't live up to its hype.
And I guess I have too much N.T. Wright on the brain to avoid saying this:
Do we, as claimed disciples of the current (un-"democratically elected") Lord of the world, have a proper perspective regarding all this election hoopla? Don't get me wrong, the decision is an immensely important one, and I, for one, prefer the democratic process to the alternative. But consider these thoughts and how they relate to the massive output of energy and hope being directed on what's going on today and in the months to come.
At its most general level, what we're doing is electing a leader of the current world empire. I know, its a nasty word. But let's call a spade a spade. And yes, previous empires have done some nasty things, when viewed from a historical perspective. But what they've all claimed they were doing, and at their best truly believed themselves to be doing, was fulfilling their obligation to provide peace, justice and salvation to the whole world in light of the fact that they had, themselves, attained the purest forms of those virtues, as evidenced by the Almighty's bestowment of power and wealth upon their society. That's basically it, and the rhetoric is consistent throughout most empires of the last few millenia.
But if the gospel could be summarized in three words (and I realize that there are immense dangers in doing so), it would be this: Jesus is Lord. And when we say "Jesus is Lord," we are saying many things at once. We are saying that Jesus is Lord and even America (and certainly the temporary leader of it) is not. But more importantly, we are saying that Jesus is Lord, that is, the crucified and risen Messiah of Israel is Lord. The one who's conception of "power," that apparent in the world versus that envisioned when viewed through a Kingdom-of-God lens, is set forth in Mark 10:35-52:
"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(I say this with all due fear and trembling, but I think the meaning of that last sentence, within the context of the discourse as a whole, would have better been relayed if it were stated as: "For even the Son of man came not to be served...")
So when we, as followers of this Lord, assess the importance of this election, the importance of the democratic process, the significance of the issues involved, let's keep things in perspective. Yes, God wants his creation ordered (a la Jesus to Pilate: "You would have no power unless it was given to you from above"), and that is important, and the democratic process minimizes slightly the extent to which those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, so it is also important. But the goal of this whole show is to work for the Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven, and that charge has not, as far as I can tell, been given to the leader of this or that nation or empire, but to the world-wide coalition of those "in Christ." Building for the Kingdom is our task, and helping pick the next leader of the current world superpower, though important, should never be viewed as, "OK, I've done my part. Now it's up to [insert you favorite candidate here]." Helping pick the next president fulfills one of our duties as citizens of this country, but it goes nowhere close to fulfilling our duties (to this country, the world, our communities, our families, and ourselves) as citizens of heaven.
In other words, lets render unto Caesar what is Caesar's...lest we find ourselves manipulated by the tide to unwittingly declare, when faced with the demands of our true and rightful Lord, "We have no king but Caesar."
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
P.S. I thought this was pretty funny and, in a sense, appropriate to the topic:
P.P.S. By the way, this isn't a political jab. I'm gonna vote for Obama (as things stand now). And I have no idea about his legislative accomplishments, either.
I have recently been in conversation with several people regarding one issue votin (i.e. the abortion issue) in this years race. What are your thoughts on Obama and abortion? Why are you not a one issue voter?
Thanks,
Michael
I couldn't agree with you more Raffi. I am afraid that too many times the political struggles in the US system serve as a diversion of time and energy that the church should spend Kingdom building.
If I live a faithful life to Christ and participate in a community of believers in ministry to change the world I will have an infinitely greater impact on the world than my one vote will. I am ashamed at the way so many of our Christian leaders have gotten into bed with politicians - and this happens on both sides of the aisle.
Good thoughts.
Mosfast,
Isn't what you posted exactly what Raffi is saying? That the election is not as important as people make them out to be? Am I reading one or the other incorrectly?
Raffi,
I can't agree with you more. Imagine what the Body of Christ could have done with all the money, that was spent on political efforts to reverse Roe v. Wade, if we had spent it for expanding the boundaries of the Kingdom of God through evangelism and discipleship. If we had, I'd be very doubtful that abortion would even be an issue.
In fact, I read somewhere that we (self-confessing born again disciple of Jesus the Christ) spend more money on pet products than on advancing the cause of the Kingdom of God (that's the total sum in giving minus the cost of facility maintenance and office administration). That's pretty sad.
Whatever happened to: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations"