24th Sunday after Pentecost 2008 Proper 25

October 26, 2008

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Leviticus 19:1-2 & 15-18; Ps. 1; I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46)

THE CHURCH & THE ELECTION

St. Christopher’s, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

Over the past few weeks several preachers around the country have stood in their pulpits and endorsed presidential candidates.

A couple things to understand about their actions. First, it was not specifically an election issue. They were challenging the law which says a church may not endorse political candidates.

Second, this is not a free speech issue. The question is not the first amendment but tax exemption. The preachers are perfectly free to stand in a pulpit and endorse a candidate — they just cannot then claim to be a tax exempt church under federal law. Furthermore, those organizations could choose to register as another form of non-profit and still receive tax exemptions — just not a church.

The issue on the civic side is the separation of church and state. I will tell you that I am a very firm believer in a strong separation between church and state. If someone wants to we can discuss early American history on this point, or some of the abuses that have occurred.

Or we can discuss the admittedly extreme examples we find around the world. We can discuss countries where the church controls, or greatly influences the government. Countries like Iran and even Iraq where we hear how certain religious parties must be placated if the government is to function.

Or countries such as Russia and China where the government controls which churches can exist. Or countries where the government will arrest you for speaking about the non-sanctioned religions.

I believe it is best for us to NOT move in either direction.

But the much more important issue than the civic question of how much church and state should be separated is the religious issues raised by endorsing any human being. Endorsing an issue is different from endorsing a person.

Bottom line — I do not remember ever seeing a candidate truly running on a “Christian platform”. They may claim individual parts or platform planks are Christian, but never a majority of the platform. And frankly I doubt a person trying to run on a fully Christian platform would get many votes!!

Before I go into that let me remind you of my belief that God is right all the time .... I am not God ... so by definition I must be wrong on some of these questions. .... If asked I will tell you what I believe, and maybe do so with a great deal of enthusiasm! But I constantly remind myself that God could be groaning at what I say!

This week’s lessons are perfect for discussing what a fully Christian candidate or platform would include.

Usually when people speak about a candidate running as a Christian they are referring to one of 2 or maybe 3 issues. Of those, two of them are discussed scripturally whereas the third one seldom really is.

The clearest Christian issue and the one most clearly discussed is capital punishment. I say that is the clearest simply because it is the one where some serious discussion is held. Today’s Old Testament reading contains the teaching I find most important on this question: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people.” Actually, “revenge is mind saith the Lord” and variations of that are one of the most common teachings in all of scripture.

That said, I fully appreciate and respect that sincere, faithful, scripturally knowledgeable people disagree and point to other teachings in support of capital punishment. ... So which would be the “Christian candidate”? Which one is absolutely following God?

.... The second issue and the one getting the most attention this year is homosexuality. The discussion about same sex marriage, etc. is usually much less clear. Frankly the Bible is usually use in the way I suspect upsets God — as a weapon rather than a teaching tool.

Again sincere, faithful, scripturally knowledgeable people can disagree. A reasonable case can be built in either direction. However let me say this and hear my frustration! The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is NOT one of the 4 or 5 passages which contribute to this discussion!! Read Genesis 18 and 19 and you will discover it ONLY talks about rape. Both homosexual and heterosexual rape. In fact, the only real question is why the man who sends his pre-teen daughters to be gang raped is the good guy.

I get really frustrated when people twist scripture. Reasonable, opinions can be expressed without abandoning real Scripture.

There are other passages which could be read rejecting homosexual behavior. Or they could be about unloving, destructive behavior. ... So which candidate, which platform, which position is Christian?

The third most common discussion is abortion. This is the one with the greatest claims to religion and the least scriptural support. Please know that I believe a defensible anti-abortion position can be drawn from scripture but it seldom if ever is used.

Instead most people quote: “I have known you from your mother’s womb”. Now hear that discussion through the ears of a skeptic or non-believer. “I have known you from your mother’s womb” – even ignoring that conception does not happen in the womb, at what point during the pregnancy is God speaking about? Day one? Or when contractions have begun?

Which candidate holding which opinion .. and it is an opinion ... which candidate holding which opinion is the Christian candidate? Which one should a church endorse as the absolutely Christian person?

Notice something else about those three issues — why should they determine the “Christian candidate” or “Christian political platform”? Those three questions put together probably take up less than 5% of the government’s attention. Maybe less than 1%.

Why doesn’t the other 95% matter? Why don’t we critique the Christianity of the candidates based on the 95% of the issues rather than the 5% or less?

Examples: start with the most contentious one ... what is the Christian position on the war in Iraq? The Pope says it is wrong as do some other churches. Other people who I will acknowledge as sincere and faithful people say the war is a good Christian action. Why have we not had more discussion about whether leaving Iraq or staying in Iraq is the Christian approach? And how we, eventually, leave Iraq has, I believe, serious religious implications. Where is that discussion?

Or what about homelessness? In His clearest statement about how we will be judged by God, Jesus says: “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink”.

An article in this morning’s Greensboro paper discussed a program to reduce homelessness. If a voter is seeking a Christian candidate, should not hunger and homelessness be a primary issue?

Or what about universal health care? When Jesus was condemning people He said: “I was sick and you did not care for me.”

Let me emphasize again! I am not saying there is only one possible conclusion to reach from scripture. I am saying that a Christian candidate would discuss these questions from a scriptural position. I will say that personally I reject the argument that homosexuality is the government’s business but health care is a private matter. If I claim to be a Christian I must claim it on all issues, not just those I want to. In fact, the issues I least want to discuss from a Christian perspective almost certainly are the ones I most need to discuss that way.

One more example, “Honor thy father and thy mother”. I have suggested that we are the first generation in the history of the world to truly face obeying this commandment because it is less about doing what your parents tell you and more about caring for your parents.

So, how does “Honor thy father and thy mother” relate to Social Security reform? Drug prescription programs? Medicare rates?

OK, another example just to be ornery! One common instruction in scripture is to welcome the stranger. We would use the word “immigrant” and possibly “illegal immigrant”. The Jews were reminded they were strangers in Egypt. How does this teaching apply to the immigrant reform discussions right now?

Sincere, faithful people can argue on many issues that the context has changed. The USA now is different from Israel then. My point is simply that if we claim to be a Christian candidate, or a Christian nation, then those discussions should be held and focus on scripture.

Many people believe, as I do, that the most important legacy from this election will be the make up of the Supreme Court. That within four years 2 or 3 Supreme Court members will be replaced.

If so, rather than declaring they want a strict constitutionalist or a person who understands the law must evolve — wouldn’t a Christian President quote today’s gospel? When asked by the media sitting in for the Pharisees: “what is the most important qualification for a judge?” the Christian candidate would reply: “All the law hangs on two commandments – you shall love the Lord your God will all your heart, and all your soul and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Remember I began by saying a church should not endorse a candidate because no candidate even comes close to approaching issues from a Christian perspective. If they do, they hide it well!

I believe the churches’ role in an election, and what I hope I have done today, is to encourage people to evaluate the candidates through the lens of scripture. Not expecting anyone to live up everything. And especially not believing our opinion is always or even usually God’s opinion. But asking if the candidates thought process seems to be based on Christian principles.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command.

AMEN

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)