Health, wealth and power

Are your "politics" biblical?

By Henry Friesen and ChristianWeek | November 1, 2013

Call it confusing, amusing or downright depressing. The recent stalemate in the U.S. Congress leaves us wondering what it takes to govern a democracy. Is the standoff about health or wealth? Principles or politics? Democracy or desperation?

Political charades aside, there are some genuine issues and concerns with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare as some have come to call it. It is reasonable to assume the opposition to the ACA is not motivated by a desire to keep poor people from accessing good medical care.

Media reports indicate the ACA comes with more than 10,000 pages of regulations. It's no surprise that implementing a massive undertaking like this creates innumerable challenges. Many voices need to be heard. Inevitably there will be winners and losers. And getting people to embrace change is difficult at the best of times.

Many people are sympathetic to the fiscal arguments of the minority. With a deficit and debt measured in trillions of dollars, concerns are definitely valid. That the world still considers the U.S. greenback as a preferred currency probably says more about the alternatives than the U.S. government balance sheet.

But the passionate rhetoric south of the border challenges the very notion of a democratic government. To the rest of the world it appears that a minority of politicians are obsessed with "the end justifies the means" maneuvering, stopping at nothing to make their point.

By the time you read this, the stalemate will likely have been resolved, at least temporarily. But it's hard to imagine that the politicians will have changed their tune. After reportedly trying 67 times to challenge Obamacare, and losing at the Supreme Court, it seems cooperation and compromise are no longer in the Congressional lexicon. Our neighbours etch "In God we trust" on their coins, but it appears that politics, not theology, is driving this debate.

This is a good time for Canadian Christians to consider our own view of government. Is our political worldview informed by our theology? Or vice versa?

Take a look in the mirror. Do your conversations demonstrate that you actually believe governments are God-ordained? Would a casual listener to your political discussions recognize your theology? Or would they hear you complaining about paying taxes while primarily looking out for me, myself and I?

Do you choose your friends based on their political stripes? Or do you see different perspectives as a "check and balance" to help keep your own views aligned with God's Word?

The Bible describes the role of government as a servant to the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. And it has numerous verses that describe how Christians are to show courtesy and respect for others, including those with whom they disagree. Our attitudes, words and actions should demonstrate that we take our God-given task of being salt and light seriously.

There's more. God has instructed us to pray for our leaders. By definition, governments must cooperate and compromise in order to govern all the people. Their role is complex and requires much wisdom. They need all the help they can get.