Much has been said recently about the admixture of Evangelicalism and conservative politics, some are reactionary statements concerned with idolatry and manipulation.  But, since the law does not write itself and given the opportunity and the responsibility and the power through our present system to choose who we would like to represent us, so that truth and wisdom is reflected in our laws, then we need to proceed being actively engaged in the system.

However, the current crop of envelope-pushing church pundits are saying we are in a state of idolatry because of our activity in politics, that we evangelicals are being manipulated by conservative politicians.  There are two explanations that preclude the idolatrous.  First, perhaps we are experiencing a new wave of old-fashioned anabaptistic Christian pacifism, handing the sword back to the state to wield and submitting to states’ authority in things to do with secular law.  This would provide the basis for an exciting, much needed debate between just-war theorists and Christian pacifists which, by the way, would resolve most of this issue without a whiff of idolatry.  To the trenches, then!  Second, however, is the irony that the accusers (Boyd, et al) are acutely aware of the fact that if Evangelicals had not voted so enthusiastically in 2004, then we would be submitting to President Kerry, who they might have preferred, not President Bush.   If they are manifesting their own political beliefs, perhaps implicitly, perhaps not so implicitly, and they wish to undermine that unity by tarring the basis for it, then they are just as guilty of the charges they make as those at whom they are throwing stones.  It is this second choice that I believe to be the case and to the accusers I say, “let him who is without idolatry cast the first stone”!

 So why mix politics and religion?  It seems that we face deeply troubling questions, today and always, that demand our response.  If faced with terrorism, then let's decide; do we endorse a just-war, or do we turn the other cheek?  If there is a law in our country that allows anyone, anytime to get an abortion, what, do we sit there like lumps of coal?  If faced with living under Islamic Theocracy do we migrate to a new world like the Pilgrims or do we submit to the reigning Islamists?  (Oops, let’s try not to forget one essential item; there isn't any "new world" to escape to.)   Should our decisions concerning taxes, abortion, homosexuality, AIDS and war be based upon what the blogospherians scribe so readily on the internet?  Most of us simply take up positions when we find them on television or other media.  Personally, I'd rather own the same conclusions my teachers have been gifted to arrive at.  Let them do the work God empowered them to do.  (Sounds a little too Catholic?  Perhaps, but they are more often right and most certainly not always wrong.)  The Holy Spirit leads us as individuals in all wisdom, but he also empowers teachers, preachers and other leaders so that we will act coherently, as a body, learning and growing best through those appointed and gifted to lead and grow us.  To cast my votes as wisely as possible, I reflect upon Christian scholars such as; Dr. Harold O.J. Brown, Francis Schaeffer, Ravi Zacharias, Mark Noll or consult Christian communities such as Focus on the Family and the ACLJ for the insight into very specific issues they provide.  Where does God instruct us to turn for truth, where best to acquire the wisdom God wants us to acquire?  With all the ramifications of mixing politics and religion notwithstanding, it is within the body of Christ, which is fully equipped to deal with any worldly difficulties we might encounter, including political questions.  Obviously there are other choices available; Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, George Soros, MoveOn.org, NOW or network news, but if you choose these you are missing the point.

Everyone in our country is given the opportunity and the responsibility and the power through our present system to choose who we would like to have represent us in procuring legislation, administering the country and judging our issues.  Further, I believe that when we support and vote for the person who will represent our Christian interests within the state, it is no less and no more worldly tainted or idolatrous than when we go to our workplaces everyday, earning our keep in a capitalist system Our church staffs work the same way within sacred walls as they would within any secular walls.  They follow the latest and greatest visions to emerge from the prophets of capitalist business.  The problem here is this - there is absolutely no business plan that does not have it's eye on the bottom-line, no matter how well that fact may be hidden, it's all about making money, always.  This just plain and simply is not what a church does, so why do we follow essentially counter-productive business theories, stratagems and management do-dahs?  It would seem that our church structure itself is of the world, but, for now, it is the best we can muster and nothing short of revival of original-church ways will change that.  Agreed, entering politics into the church is fraught with the same type of issues except the political system we participate in is external.  Our government and politics in general are not Biblically functioning systems and the folks we vote for are not pure, we all know that, but we are given the power to choose and we should choose those whose stated values and virtues (for that’s all we ever really have, whether voting left or right, is statements) are clearly aligned with the truths we have learned. If we can choose to do the right thing, the moral, good and, so help me, the righteous thing, by voting for someone who will address issues the way we, the voter, the Christian, would address them, then why shouldn’t we?

Finally, do we continue to shape our culture/society/country or don't we?  We are certainly but filthy rags, whose only good comes from the redeeming work of Jesus, which allows, persuades and demands us to do good in the world - this includes making the best political decisions we can.

    2    And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; but you shall break down their altars. But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?

    3    So now I say, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.

    4    When the Angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voice and wept.    JUDGES 2:1-4...the voice of the Lord.

Thus it is that Isreal disobeyed God and spared Arab lives 4000 or more years ago and Isreal suffers today.  Isreal, the land, was given to the Jews, not placidly, but through annihilation.  Do not think otherwise.