DISQUS

Justin · 1 year ago

I would challenge your assertion that voting "perpetuates" the system for four more years, and that Americans' involvement in the elections constitutes a religion in itself.

On the contrary, I would suggest that one's vote is a necessary and appropriate expression of one's faith - not because one candidate perfectly embodies the hopes of one's faith, but because we have an obligation to vote in a way that we believe will take our country in the right direction.

You criticize democracy and capitalism as if there were better alternatives that would leave us more free to live out our faith and live in a Kingdom reality. When you call voting "idolatry" you act as if we have to choose between voting and living out our faith. When you say there's a high price to pay for keeping this idol around, you imply that there are alternatives. Show me an alternative that's not more oppressive and more of an idol, and I'll listen.

I think you are right to redirect our thoughts to the Kingdom of God. However, the Kingdom of God does not come in a vacuum. We must still have a government and an economic system; to imply otherwise is the same pie-in-the-sky-when-you-die Kingdom theology that you seem to be arguing against.

I think it's also pie-in-the-sky to pray for justice while ignoring the obvious ways we could bring about justice through governmental reform. I think good government - ethical, accountable, competent government - is one of the greatest needs across the globe right now.

Justin · 1 year ago

Oh, and I should add that empire and democracy are not the same thing. If you want a democracy that's not an empire...vote for one!

brittian · 1 year ago

Eliacin,
you've got some very challenging thoughts here for me to consider and let God's disquieting Spirit ferment deeply within.

I think in many ways you are correct here, we--specifically as a nation forged within the crucible of protestant ethics and middle class aspirations (perhaps intangibly the same)--have shunned the sacred pilgrimage in favor of others that we take equally seriously and equally spiritually. It is a point of utter amazement to me to hear folks who's lives or speech bear out little daily spiritual reflection suddenly become frothing fundamentalists for the favor of God by the time election year comes, this happens on both the left and the right. Both sides invoke the presence of God, perhaps, as you point out, because there is the vivid belief that in this moment as we extend our "God given right to vote" we most engage in praxis. Now that's an interesting thought, eh...this moment may be the most praxis Western evangelicalism offers....
As I said, I'm left with a lot of ruminations...good word!

Steve Valenta · 1 year ago

So...you're saying that the United States isn't the Kingdom of God?? This is God's country! God loves us, can't you tell by all the things we have? If He didn't think we were the best, why would we be so 'blessed?'

Capitalism seems so far from any kind of Kingdom Economics, but I'm like Justin - I don't know what it looks like. I think about this, seriously, everyday. Constantly. What does it look like? I'm okay with not knowing the answer right now, I'm satisfied searching, but am hungry for a deeper understanding.

Eliacin, I will say, I'm really encouraged by the involvement of the Christians around me this election. I think it's changing among believers. I'm hopeful, and believe that the next 4 years will be different than the past and what you might suggest. I believe there's a new freedom (at least a new discovery) for Christians to care about the 'hear and now.' To be involved and to be agents of change. I for one, have so long been taught that this 'world is passing,' so why be involved? But clearly, everyday, I see God's Kingdom among us, here and now - and I can't wait to see what happens.

Thanks for sharing this. Great word, sir.

Kristin T. · 1 year ago

Thanks for this post. I have been feeling consumed by this election, and your ideas have generated a new way of thinking about it.

Here's what I feel particularly convicted about: I need to carefully consider the time, energy, emotion and money I've directed toward this election, and ask myself if I'm willing to devote tenfold of the same towards doing God's kingdom work. Every day, every year.

When it comes to the election, though, I can't see myself taking a hands-off approach. Can't we fight to improving a flawed system while at the same time devoting ourselves to God's kingdom work? Do they have to be mutually exclusive?

I wonder, as some other readers have, what you think the alternative to our current system might be. And I wonder how you think we should respond to Christians who are wielding God's name around in this election and invoking him to promote extremist views. Here are two small ways I responded: joining this Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30055124462 and writing this blog post: http://www.halfwaytonormal.com/?p=109 I'd love to hear ideas about better ways to respond (or good reasons not to respond at all), but in the meantime I just have to do what I feel I can.

OK, enough from me. Thanks again for the post. There is nothing better than finding a blog you can relate to on many levels but also brings a different enough perspective to leave you really thinking. Too often we're happy just basking in the blanket-affirmation we naturally crave.

jeff greer · 1 year ago

good stuff, Eliacin. The funny thing is i was just singing this morning 'In God's Country' by U2... thinking about the lyrics of the song.
there is a good book that i am reading entitled, "The Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd, which touches a lot on this very subject and has some profound thoughts for sure. thanks dude for your perspective.

jason · 1 year ago

great thoughts, I agree with your thoughts here