Please don't call me "evangelical." For one thing, I have never really used the word to describe myself. For another, in our current American lexicon, it has become a broad political term describing a group, the members of which are not necessarily Christian.

Thanks, Scot, for a much needed reminder, one that should be echoed in all of our churches, right and left. The Kingdom of God is not red or blue. Before God, both parties have a lot of explaining to do. Our hope is in Christ.

"If John McCain wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical has an eschatology of politics."

lol...yeah, I believe it will be the same delirium they had after George W. Bush was elected too. Probably end up with the same results as well.

"Or, alternatively, if Barack Obama wins and the evangelical becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that evangelical too has an eschatology of politics."

Uh...what?
I don't know one evangelical who thinks Barack is the harbinger of heavenly tidings...I think you're talking about the non-evangelicals becoming deliriously happy.

Either way, it really doesn't matter anymore, I given up trying to change Evangelical's and non-evangelicals minds...if Christians want to look to politics as a mode of legislating G-d's will, then no amount of calling from the wilderness is going to change their minds.

I say let them enjoy their one last glass of bitterness...since they haven't gotten their fill of it from the last 28 years, whats another four years of misplaced hope being shredded before their eyes?

I'll vote for a candidate because I think he'll change the course of the country economically, and internationally; but as far as bringing the second coming of joy, hope, and heavenly goodness...pfft, any fool who believes a particular politician is going to do "G-d's work!" for them deserves a full glass of disappointment.

"The Kingdom of God is not red or blue.
Before God,
both parties have a lot of explaining to do."

nice. almost Sharpton-esque ;)

Scott,

Would you mind if I cross posted this at Eclectic Christian

Michael Bell

Yes, yes, yes.

But.

It's not helpful in a practical way to think about the election in broad theological terms with a sweeping reminder that my hope lies in the missio Dei. My concern this week is how I can keep my blood pressure down when churches start spewing politics (on either side).

How can Christians enter the political discussion, take specific stands, argue particular perspectives, and do so with passion. In short, how do we passionately disagree and still have strong unity?

Great reminders. Cannot be said enough, especially at this time.

Love what you had to say Scot. Great, great stuff.

Thank you Scot.

"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34

Scot,

"Each has a misguided eschatology".

In my view, Christian Eschatology is misguided when it gives up on humanity's responsibility in favor of a superstitious "hope" for a supernatural "fix". Unfortunately, this more supernatural view has been used for thousands of years by numerous imperial forces to subdue the masses. I get concerned when I hear eschatology mentioned with language like "our hope is in God" or "it's in God's hands" because that has been the Christian escape hatch from social responsibility in this last century. It has been used too often as a way to accept the status quo when the political status quo best suits our needs.

I'd suggest that the message of Jesus is exactly the opposite. I hear his message as one of action now rather than superstitions about a miraculous intervention later (despite the tendency for Christians to flip it). I see Christian eschatology as a key decision for humanity as we build our future. We can choose to build a future based on God's values or man's values (Moses or Pharoah, Jesus or Caesar, community or empire). Eschatology is not a question of what God will do, but what we will do in response to our story of God. In my view, the best Christian Eschatology is one that works to make Jesus' ideals a reality (making God's will done on Earth). That is an extremely dangerous and overtly political path, but one we are called to follow. You are right that this path does transcend elections, but when a single election can mean the difference between life and death, justice and injustice, peace and war, then that path cannot bypass such a key point in the story.

Religion (beliefs, traditions, stories, and even superstitions) can be wonderful inspiration for politics (public actions), but religion cannot become a substitute for politics. In other words, faith without works is dead.

good post -- I agree!

There is a sort of political fever that grips this election process that reminds me to the lead up to the superbowl or March madness. What is it in us humans that loves to see a good fight?

May your kingdom come, oh Holy One, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

I'm not going to be deliriously happy whatever the result, but I'll be celebrating if Obama wins. I want to push "reset" on the Republicans and their torture/war/greed regime, and so I'll celebrate their loss.

I'll also celebrate the loss for evangelicals (those so called Jesus followers). People have been using the name of Jesus and the defense of a lifestyle to justify torture, greed, and war. They are anti-Christ (to swing an admittedly blunt word). I hope evangelicals go down heavily so that, in the future, people will forget that such people and "following Jesus" ever associated together.

Sorry if that sounds angry, but I am.

As Paul could say he was "a Pharisee of Pharisees" so I could say "I'm an evangelical of evangelicals" but I count the label is crud (or some other four letter word). I'm so much freer and focused without it.

As for Obama, I'll hold out hope that God will work through him for good despite himself (which is really how I feel about myself come to think of it).

I'm hopeful because God is good.

Wait a minute! Are you saying that the Gospel transcends our political system? Are you telling me that I'm supposed to show the love of Jesus to that person who is displaying the sign of the "anti-candidate"?

Thanks for the great words for us followers of Jesus. I needed that. Just because I don't like what a person stands for, doesn't disqualify him/her from me living out the Gospel. Great work, Scott

Andy,

I understand your anger, and I'm glad you feel the freedom to express it here. However, let's be mindful of two things. First, "evangelical" is a term that is very hard to define today. Not every "evangelical" is part of the GOP. Neither is everyone in the GOP an "evangelical". So sweeping generalities like yours are often not helpful.

Secondly, in the future let's be mindful that many "evangelicals" engage the conversation on this blog. And you might find some (even many) share your leanings. Let's try to make more friends here than enemies.

Url

I read Scott's post and said to myself, "Wow - what if cynicism could be banned from politics? What if the hope of the Gospel and 'missio Dei' would become the fabric of our country? What if Jesus would run for president?”

Oh wait – since Jesus didn’t want to be made king (John 6:14,15), I doubt if he’d run for president.

What about as a ‘write-in’ candidate, though.

Isn’t that what Jesus wants already – for his Followers to have his name written in their hearts, across their lives, through their souls, into their minds?

Who’d vote for Jesus anyway – he’s waaayyy too radical….

Our political system is a joke. Our nation is in deep trouble because we separate faith and politics. Money has become the new "god" in this country and it has infiltrated our political parties in a major way. I wouldn't endorse a specific candidate - primarily because I don't believe either party has a good enough representation to lead this country. I would, however, address issues that are of concern within each party. Let the people choose for themselves, but encourage them to study the issues and how each candidate voted on related issues in the past.

Hooray, hooray. God is far beyond any ideology!! Our hope is God- no less, and any attempt to limit God: the God of grace,compassion and love leads to blasphemy! Thank you for pointing this out, Mr. McKnight. Don't forget, the killing of the Christ was due, in part to politics.

I'd like to be make it as simplistic as possible. God knows the beginning and knows the end being. God knows the candidate who will succeed and the consequences of that.
The exercise is OBEDIENCE, pure and simple. Most of us in the body of Christ receive some form of information from the Spirit of God when in communion with Him. Seek (in prayer and meditation) who will be more beneficial to the kingdom and obey. It really has nothing to do with WINNING or LOSING since quite often the unwarranted result is nothing but a corrective or repositioning mesure for the good of the kingdom. Our obedience to God's guidance is really what we're facing, it could'nt be more simple. If our choice (vote) fails which will be the case for a lot of us, the joy and satisfaction of staying obedient to our Lord makes it not only bearable but spiritually fulfilling.

Yes, but.

That McCain peace sign is a joke right?

I think we all make decisions every day. And we make them based on our experience and believes. As a Christian I make my decisions based on what I have in my heart, in my spirit and what I know about the word of God. Whether it is to buy a car, take a vacation or vote in the presidential elections.
There is a passage in Mathew 21:28-31, that always remind me of the two parties, republicans and democrats . This was Jesus speaking and it goes like this: “What do you think? There was a man that had two sons , He went to the first and said, ‘son go and work today in the vineyard. ‘I will not, he answered’, but later changed his mind (repented) and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir’, but did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?”. Need I say which one is the sweet talker ( the party), that tells the evangelicals everything they want to hear ? He is ‘ morally right ‘, but institutionalized corruption, he is against raising the minimum wage, created a war motivated by greed and profits without any regard for human life and based on lies, he is against universal health care for the people ( it will benefit the poor , the rich have no problem .), fought in favor of the tobacco companies, against a background check to buy a gun, he thinks its ok to torture, etc … and we get all this as a trade off for a promise to criminalize abortion !. this brings me to another passage in Mathew 9:10-13. The Pharisees asked Jesus disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners’? When Jesus heard that, He said to them , ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and LEARN what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’
The other brother?. Complete opposite. They can not both be right, they could both be wrong , but they could not both be right. But we have to make a decision . My decision will be based on mercy. Just as Jesus had mercy on me ( a sinner ), I will have mercy on others.

Yes, but.

That Obama hope sign is a joke, right?

Just to add to Url's response to Andy:
To reduce the Republican party to torture/war/greed is as unfair as religious right christians reducing Christianity to abortion and gay marriage. I am a republican, and I recognize that there is much wrong with my party, as there is much wrong with the democrat party. But I am against torture, and I believe that greed is messing up our economy. Basically, I am a republican because I believe that the fundamental problems that we face as a nation are beyond the scope of the government to fix. I believe it is the private sector--and primarily the Church--that can best care for the poor, heal the sick, and promote peace and justice.
I harbor no ill will towards democrats. I believe of the vast majority of them that their intentions are good. We just disagree on method. Surely we can debate method in a civil way, without "celebrating the loss of evangelicals" or equating the republican party with the disobedient son of Matthew 21.

I am really tired of the term "evangelical"
being used. All Christ-ones are to be spreaders of the Good News and Doers of the Word. Each person has his unique walk. Take the label away. No two Christians have the same personal relationship with God the Father through the Son. No two believe or know the exact same thing. The HOLY SPIRT teaches us as we grow in knowledge and grace. I do believe that a Christian cannot ride on the coat-tails of his/her particular church, or ANY so-called leader. Each of us is alone to work out our salvation, walk in the Spirit and walk in the works that God prepared for us. There are no super Christians, except the ones we DO NOT KNOW, only God knows. The people of this country had better get a handle on HISTORY, and be guided by the Word of God and praying for God's guidance in thought, word, and deed. Knowledge of God and true relationship is essential. Can't have that without praying with Him and having the sure hope that is only in knowing Him. We need a spiritual perspective in this world. We need to become more like the human Christ was as He walked this Earth. This doesn't come but by obeying and trusting God. Jesus did this daily. God's promises are to those who truly know Him. The discipline of prayer and obedience are part of living a life and receiving the promises of God.