At the intersection of elections, politics and church

As if there was not enough noise in the world of politics right now, the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia this past Saturday has given the candidates something more to talk about.  One candidate says he will filibuster any appointment put forward by the President.  Others were on the Sunday talking head shows offering their opinion on what kind of judge should replace Judge Scalia.   As if the rhetoric was not high enough already, this appears to be a shot of speed and steroids in the political arm of our nation.

As a whole, this political cycle seems to be more rowdy than most.   Outsiders on the left and the right are haranguing the masses to not vote for political insiders.  Political insiders, while denying that they are political insiders, espouse the virtues of being able to work across the aisle and accomplish governance while at the same time stigmatizing the other party.  Recently, a leading candidate repeated a vulgar slur from an audience member and, tongue firmly in cheek, told her she shouldn’t do such a thing, while, apparently, hoping to make the most of the moment.  It has driven more than a few Christians to frustration.  To illustrate this past weekend a dear, sweet, older lady expressed her frustration by say, “All these politician are a bunch of *$$holes.”  When saintly older women are so frustrated they express it with expletives, things have gotten pretty bad. 

So what are we to do as Christians and church leaders?  What do we do at the intersection of elections, politics, and the church?  I believe we need to lead ourselves, our fellow believers, and our churches to reexamine a somewhat misunderstood passage of scripture. 

We have, to a great degree, misunderstood the meaning of the Psalm 46:10.  We have generally taken these words, “Cease Striving and know that I am God” out of context.  We have made them an invitation to quiet personal mediation, to slow down from the hectic pace of our lives and to read a few verses of scripture.  No one would ever say that is a bad thing.  But the context of the Psalm doesn’t seem to fit the application of quiet introspective contemplation.

Historically, this Psalm is associated with the victory God gave Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20-22.  The theme of the Psalm itself is about God rescuing his people in the midst of international and political turmoil.   When God’s people were freaking out and had the opportunity to go completely bananas, God said,

      “Stop your conniving, and know Me intimately,

        In the middle of all the political conspiracies I will show my glory

        In the intrigues of international affairs I am still Sovereign.”

As our churches stand on the cusp of a national election, we need to remember and remind our people that God is still the Great ruler and the final judge.