Biblical Voters Guide: Part II April 7, 2009

I really do apologise my blogging has been so inconsistent but I was away again for 5 days and had no internet access. I really wanted to blog more about the elections. Anyway if you want more up to date information visit www.saelections.co.za its a pretty useful website.

Anyway I posted a couple of days ago on the ‘biblical voters guide’ released by savotersguide.com. I want to interact with it a bit critique it, ask some questions get you thinking a bit about what constitutes a so called ‘biblical voter’.

Before I get into it, I would like to commend the votersguide for attempting to mobilise the community of faith to participate in the upcoming elections and helping to awaken the church from its political slumber. There is no such thing as an apolitcal person or organisation. To be ‘apolitical’ or ‘not involved in politics’ is to affirm the status quo and to affirm the status quo is to affirm the injustice that permeates our country and world. While one might feel their definition of ‘biblical issues’ is somewhat narrow they must be commended for participating in the building of SA.

I actually first encountered this guide in Joymagazine. I forked out R25 to buy it only to realise there was a website (for free) to see the same guide. There was however an accompanying article written by Jackie Georgiou that was quite interesting and from which we can spring this discussion. Some money quotes included

“Many Christians do not know the biblical mandate they have from God, to vote, to hold the government accountable and to play a role in societal change. It is partly due to apathy and ignorance that the Church (and Christian individuals) has usurped its role in keeping governments accountable”

I think here that Jackie is right. God is concerned with politics. If we think of politics as the organisation and governance of communities. God cares about politics because it affects people and ultimately the the whole of God’s Creation. To claim that God is not concerned with politics is a blasphemy.

Another money quote.

“We do not prescribe who you should vote for, however when you look at the biblical voters guide left and see what the party stands for, you as a Christian can surely only vote for for a Christian party. If every Christian voted for the christian option, we would see our nation transformed…”

According to Jackie then to vote for another party outside of the ‘Christian Parties’ (ACDP,CDA,VF) is essentially to go against the will of God for “your conscience cannot grant you leeway in this matter”.  My question to Jackie is what is the desired outcome of your politics? Do you want a Christian state? A theocratic government?

I think I might disagree with Jackies analysis of our contemporary society. We live in a pluralistic world with multiple religions and cultures seeking to co-exist . This is context from which we must think about these issues. It would seem that the Christian political parties aim is to create a Christian state. Is that a desirable outcome? I think the answer to this question depends on whether you think the scriptures are written for the community of faith or for the whole world. I would guess that Jackie assumption is that they are written for the whole world. I would argue they are written for the community of faith. If that is true, a desirable outcome of our politics in a pluralistic world is not to have a Christian state but rather a state that allows us the freedom to practice our faith.  The role of the church is not to govern the country but to be a prophetic voice in the country, holding our leaders accountable. Bringing to light injustice and oppression. Seeking to act as mediator and reconciler between those who have been divided and are marred by violence and hatred. 

I would have to disagree with Jackie that the only valid vote for a Christian is with a Christian Party.

1. because I am not sure a Christian State should be the outcome of our politics and this is what the Christian parties are proposing
2. because the ‘biblical principles’ she feels the Christian Parties are seeking to uphold are only half of the story. The Bible has lots to say on other issues which are equally (if not more?) important than what is outlined in the guide.

More of that in the next blog.

Peace