RSSElection Eve W.H. Chellis It is election eve and …
Election Eve
W.H. Chellis
It is election eve and what is a paleo-protestant theoconservative to do? The Testimony of the RPC notes that it is the duty of Christians to vote for candidates committed to Christian principles of civil government.
What does this mean? First of all, it does not mean that we can only vote for candidates who are committed to the five points of calvinism and the regulative principle of worship. We are electing politicians (oh that they might be statesmen) not Pastors and Ruling Elders.
Second, it does not mean that we must withhold our votes from any candidate who does not publicly declare his support for a constitutional amendment honoring the name of Jesus Christ. Advocating such an amendment has a mostly symbolic advantage anyway.
Rather, we must vote for candidates who understand the following things. First, that God exists and that His moral will is a standard for personal as well as public behavior. Second, that our inheritance as a branch of Western Christendom is not to be squandered through neglect or ideological fancy. Third, that mankind is fallen and cannot be perfected through a political process. Finally, that Christ’s Church is to be protected and that our Churches must continue to be free from the intervention of the State.
Some might object that I have outlined rather broad categories. Will it not be possible that Christians will end up voting for the lesser or two evils? I boldly answer that this is entirely possible. Our intrepid interrogators might continue to object, “but the lesser or two evils is still evil!” In response it is necessary to remember that we are pilgrims dealing with fallen (but still legitimate) creation institutions. In this age we must expect that justice will always be seen through a mirror dimly. In fact, I suspect few of us who govern our homes do not mix a great deal of foolishness and tyranny with our better moments of grace leavened justice. We who are saints remain sinners. Let us not expect more from those who exercise the sword than we expect from ourselves.
With that in mind… happy voting!
Dave
November 7th, 2006 at 6:27 am
I have looked over your points, I have looked over the candidates.
I am staying home as I refuse to consent to the “lesser of two evils”, as you say. Well, I’m not actually staying home but I am making better use of my time than to submit blank votes.
Were there a command to vote, I would do so; no command to be found I will abstain until such time as a true Christian (not just in name to get some ‘conservative/evangelical votes’) comes forward to request my support.
I find the idea of comparing a father ruling his home to a modern politician ruling his fifedom problematic. You see, the politicians who want my vote to rule will not acknowldege Christ publicly and submit when found to rule in error and in opposition to the word and law of God. I will.
Thus, when you state “Let us not expect more from those who exercise the sword than we expect from ourselves” I say, amen! But I will not assent to the idea that I have any obligation to expect less from those that excersise the sword than I do from myself. Rather, I would contend that to “whom much is given…” applies here; we must demand godly rulers because if one has the power of the sword, does it not follow that “much is expected”?