If you answered no or had to think about your answer to that question, then you obviously need to get out more. And, perhaps expand your circle of friends. There are other things I am tempted to write, but that will have to suffice for now. In light of the recent politicization of the pulpit on so-called “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” that question has been on my mind as of late. I would not say that it has haunted me, but the vitriol (much of it coming from Christians) during this Presidential Election season has certainly made me think about what it means to be a follower of Christ living in a post-Christian, modern-day America. In these politically charged times, it seems that many American Christians — including pastors and other spiritual leaders — would trade their birthrights for a hoppin’, heapin’ helpin’ of political pottage if it assured them that the “right” candidate would get elected.
I first started pondering my question following the F.S.U. Seminole’s upset loss to N.C. State on Saturday night. While commenting on a Facebook post that one of my friends (actually a cousin of mine) had written following the football game, I was struck by something that she wrote. Understandably exasperated from the Seminole’s loss and the apparently poor play of the Atlanta Braves (do they play a sport of some kind 🙂 ), my cousin made the following comment:
“YES, and they and the Braves have just stepped on my very last nerve. Between that and people who think you can’t be a Christian if you are a Democrat, I’m done with Facebook!!!!!!! At least for tonight!” (emphasis added)
As an admittedly conservative pastor (socially, politically, and theologically) who has more often than not voted for candidates with an (R) by their name, it would be easy for me to answer that being a Christian is incompatible with being a Democrat. It would be easy for me to say that all Bible-believing Christians should identify with the Republican Party and can never be members of the Democratic Party. It would be easy for me to question the spiritual health of someone who claims to be both a “Christian” and a “Democrat.” It would be easy, but it would be wrong.
At this point, I have no doubt that some of my readers — particularly those who have an intense hatred dislike for President Obama — will question not only my answer, but my sanity. Perhaps even my salvation. Been there, done that. That comes with the blogging territory. For those who so misunderstand, there will not be much that I can say that will change your reaction. It would not be good enough to say that I will vote for a candidate not named Obama on November 6. It would not be good enough to write that I think that much of the modern-day Democrat Party platform (i.e., abortion and same-sex marriage) is incompatible with what I consider a Biblical worldview. It would not be good enough to admit that I have not cast a vote for a Democrat candidate since I left the Commonwealth of Virginia over five years ago. No matter what I say will persuade some of you, but at least I hope you read the rest of the story.
My story is one where the Lord led me to serve a church in the Appalachian Mountains of far southwest Virginia. On the border of Kentucky and West Virginia (you can’t get any further west in the Commonwealth of Virginia), in a small town called Grundy, I was privileged to serve as the Pastor of Grundy Baptist Church from January 2002 to July 2007. During my 5 1/2 years in Buchanan County, I came to meet some of the nicest, most down-to-earth folk that you would ever want to meet. From coal miners to law school students and from county employees to retirees, Grundy and Grundy Baptist Church was (and still is) a wonderful mix of Americana.
However, for a conservative pastor who had identified as a Republican since I was old enough to register to vote (just a week after Ronald Reagan’s landslide victory over Fritz Mondale in 1984), the culture of Buchanan County and Grundy Baptist Church was, by-and-large conservative, but far from Republican. As best I could estimate, the county that I called home was easily 70% registered Democrat. And, so was the church. Not just Grundy Baptist, but every church in Buchanan County reflected the political affiliation of the county.
Being “outnumbered,” what’s a conservative Southern Baptist pastor to do with all those Democrats? How would I respond to my men’s Sunday School teacher and head usher — who also happened to be the Chairman of the Buchanan County Democratic Party — when he asked me to pray at the Democratic Campaign Rally two days before the state and/or national elections every year that I was in Virginia? And, most importantly, how was I supposed to handle the Presidential election that pitted incumbent President George W. Bush against Democratic Massachusetts Senator John Kerry in 2004 (in the days before “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”)?
The answers to these questions — at least for me — were really quite simple. Be a non-partisan pastor who loved people, regardless of their political party. When asked to pray for political leaders and candidates for office — even those I knew that I would not vote for — I said yes. Not only was it an honor to be asked (thanks, Jay), but it was an honor for a kid from a small town in Florida to be able to fulfill 1 Timothy 2 by praying for state and national leaders in person. As to the 2004 election, I did what I have always done and will continue to do — preach that God’s people are to trust God in all things (including elections) and encourage people to use God’s Word as a guide for how they cast their votes on election day.
No politicking from the pulpit and no endorsing political candidates or parties. Just good, old-fashioned preaching of God’s Word and the life-transforming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Every conservative and/or Republican-leaning pastor needs a Grundy Baptist Church, a place where — politically speaking — the pastor is in the minority. It helps keep your partisanship under control and gives true pulpit freedom to preach the whole counsel of God to a people whose hearts are open to hear a Word from the Lord about moral issues, but whose hearts will be closed when the word of politics rears its ugly head. Despite what some might say, there is a difference between the two.
Across American this past Sunday, approximately 1,500 Christian pastors — most of them in churches that are “safely” conservative and predominantly Republican — took the bold step of endorsing Mitt Romney, a Mormon, for President of the United States. For those pastors less bold, they publicly stated their opposition to President Obama’s re-election. Considering that a 2009 Federal Tax case in Minnesota effectively limited the I.R.S. from auditing churches which are accused of violating the Johnson Amendment (which prohibits churches from endorsing candidates), one could conclude that, in terms of the boldness scale, these pastors exhibited a bravery on par with television shows that dare to mock Islam Christianity. All in all, not too bold or edgy.
However, what many of these 1,500 pastors and churches did this past Sunday — whether they realized it or not — is to answer the question that is the title of this post. By endorsing specific candidates representing a political party — mostly Republicans — these churches are sending a message to Democrats and the politically unaffiliated (1/3 of adults under 30 would now fit this category) in their communities that they are not welcome in these churches. Oh, the answer wasn’t given in such a direct and forthright way. No pastor is going to say that Democrats or non-Republicans aren’t welcome. But, then again, these pastors didn’t have to spell it out. The answer is plain for all to see.
Can you be a Christian if you are a Democrat? That’s an easy one to answer if you have family and friends who you know are Christians and Democrats. For me, that question is now a no-brainer. Perhaps it wouldn’t be if I hadn’t been blessed to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ at Grundy Baptist Church in southwest Virginia. When it comes to religious liberty, politics, and the church, I suppose I’ll always have a little bit of Virginia (and Grundy) Baptist in me. And, that’s not bad. Not bad at all!
Anyone who votes Democrat is voting pro-baby murder and pro-gay marriage. God is anti- abortioni and anti-gay marriage. Therefore, they are voting in opposition to what God has clearly revealed in His inerrant word.
Having made such an inflamatory statement, yes I know that how you vote is not salvific. However, I will continue to question the salvation of anyone who votes Democrat and am glad that I go to a church where that would never be tolerated.
As far as you being conservative, you’re about as conservative as Russell Dilday. (wink)
Joe,
Good to hear from you. In case I have never told you, I like your direct, pull-no-punches style of responding (both here and at Voices). No one can question where you stand on the issues. I do appreciate you placing me in such stellar company as Russell Dilday 😉 I do have a follow-up question for you. You said that you go to a church where voting Democrat “would never be tolerated.” Perhaps you were being a bit facetious, but how would such a church function? What means would be used to make sure no one in the church voted Democrat? Just curious as to how all of that would work. Who knows? Maybe I might want to implement that sometime at my church 😉 Thanks and God bless,
Howell
Howell:
I am confident he will not answer your questions. And I also agree with you he leaves no doubts about where he stands. My eyes rolling.
You republicans really miss the boat altogether. For those who have problems with “spreading the wealth”, “healthcare for all….”, and so on, isn’t it Jesus who loved and preferred the poor? You say you are Christians and deny good to the poor. Whatever. I am a Democrat and I follow the sayings of Jesus. I’m just not in denial like the bulk of the so-called “christians” in the south care – wanting to hold on to their almighty dollar “because THEY made it”.. and to heck with the downtrodden who didn’t. Nope, you guys are a bunch of liars. To yourselves, especially.
Wrong question; in this election the question is: Can a Christian vote for Obama? And the answer is – only if they are politically naive, historically illiterate or deliberately obtuse.
David,
It’s not the wrong question. It’s just a different question. My question assumes your question as well, since the Presidential contest is the one that everyone is watching. I purposefully asked the question that I did because I knew the other question would elicit a much different response. As to your answer, at least you just think Democrat Christians are stupid or willfully ignorant. Thanks and God bless,
Howell
Very unfortunate indeed that the ignorance can often be blamed on teachers and preachers who are willfully ignorant.
It is the wrong question. It is insulting to Democrats who consider themselves Christians and inflammatory to Christians who view themselves as Democrats; I did not say “Democrat Christians are stupid or willfully ignorant.” I said Christians who vote for Obama are politically naive, historically illiterate or deliberately obtuse. At least quote me correctly.
David,
I apologize for mischaracterizing what you said. I obviously inferred something different than what you meant. If you inferred from my question that it was “insulting to Democrats who consider themselves Christians and inflammatory to Christians who view themeselves as Democrats,” I can assure you that was not my intent. Although I was fully aware that some folks would not understand my post — including the question which was my title — I will likewise take the blame for communicating in such a way that you did not comprehend why I used the question that I did and not the one you think I should have used. The question was written in such a way as illicit a civil debate on whether or not Christians can be Democrats (not whether or not Christians can vote for President Obama). I obviously believe that Christians can be Democrats. However, there are many conservative Christians who do not believe that. One such commenter above went so far as to say that “I will continue to question the salvation of anyone who votes Democrat and am glad that I go to a church where that would never be tolerated.” He is not alone in his sentiment. That’s why I wrote this post. If you would like to continue the dialogue with that clarification, then I would welcome your further comments. Thanks and God bless,
Howell
I appreciate your clarification and actually, we agree: political affiliation is a complex personal dynamic.
Outstanding blog post
Whoa! What a loaded question! Sort of like asking “Can you be a Calvinist if you are a Baptist?” ;^)
When I was a child, my grandfather was the local Democratic Party point man, charged with getting out the vote in our city/county. He firmly encouraged the family to vote Democratic straight-ticket – punch the “D” and get out of the voting booth. By the time I reached voting age, I had become a Christian. I was young and now am old. In the early days of my voting life, the dividing line between the Democratic and Republican platform was not drawn along moral issues. As I got older, voting “D” or “R” became a much clearer choice as I compared platform position vs. the commands on our lives as Christians. To support positions in opposition to both moral conscience and God’s Word is a bridge I cannot cross. I don’t question the salvation of Christian Democrats, but I certainly question their wisdom.
As you are aware, although all my family members are Republicans, with the exception of your mother, a registered Democrat all of my voting life. Yes, You can be a Christian and a Democrat. My vote is for the man, not the party, as you well know.
Mom,
I didn’t want to out you as a Democrat, but you outed yourself 🙂 I could have used you as an example, as well. I knew that my question would illicit some pretty interesting (and strong) responses. Have a great day. Love you,
Howell
Sometimes I agree with you and sometimes I try to figure out why you say what you say! But on this issue, I support your thinking. I grew up not too far from Grundy in Eastern Kentucky as an Old Regular Baptist Republican. When I retired, I moved to a suburb of Cincinnati and decided to go to another denomination. After five years, in the same month. I switched my religion back to Baptist (because of their emphasis on social issues instead of theology) and my political affiliation to Democrat (in protest of John Boehner’s behavior). My friend at my former church said, ” I thought Baptist Democrat was an oxymoron.” I believe in staying true to oneself. Thanks for your enlightenment to others!
I believe you can be a Conservative Christian Democrat especially on social issues, i.e., anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion. However, I can’t understand how a Christian can vote for Obama given his stance on social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. I am sure there will be some folks in my church who will vote for Obama. I know there were people in our church who voted for Obama in 2008. I have a hard time wrapping my head around it. Obama clearly believes in positions, i.e. gay marriage and abortion that do not support Scripture. So yes, I believe that Democrats can be Christian and we both know of one who has been a lifelong Christian Democrat yet will not vote for Obama because of where he stands on social issues. However, I have a hard time rationalizing someone who says they are a Christian and will vote for Obama. That is the bigger issue to me than rather than can someone be a Christian and a Democrat. I will get off my soapbox now. Love ya!
Angela,
As I shared with David above, I intentionally did not phrase the question to include voting for President Obama (although that could be assumed in the question). I have a hard time rationalizing how a Christian could vote for President Obama, particularly after we have his record for the last four years. However, that is a different issue than the question that I posed in my title. I think you are entirely correct when you state that “Obama clearly believes in positions, i.e. gay marriage and abortion that do not support Scripture.” Of course, Mitt Romney’s entire faith and religious belief system is antithetical to orthodox Christianity. In this election, voting (R) is not as straightforward for Christians. Thanks for the comment. And, you can get on your soapbox anytime 🙂 Love ya,
Howell
“… Mitt Romney’s entire faith and religious belief system is antithetical to orthodox Christianity. In this election, voting (R) is not as straightforward for Christians.”
This is certainly not the first Presidential election in America with the absence of a genuine Christian on the ballot. And I suspect, as time marches forward, America will be faced with tougher choices. While there is no doubt that Mormonism is fundamentally not Christian, perhaps we should turn our attention to Romney’s ideals, not his faith. Lord knows that Christians can’t support our current President’s ideals! For Christian folks to do nothing come election time would essentially ensure that our current ruler stays in place. I don’t view this election as a choice of the lesser of two evils, but whether or not we allow the downward spiral of moral virtue to go unchallenged.
A candidate who embraces Christian principles, if not genuine faith in Christ, should be supported in the absence of a real Christian on the ballot. If a candidate’s personal behavior and political platform are supported by Scripture, we should be able to vote for them with a clear conscience. Do they treat people justly? Is family important? Will they protect the unborn and helpless in our society? Will they continue to allow evil to be liberated through the laws of this land? I would that this charge be led by a saved man, but a good man will do. For both Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans, it should boil down to supporting the man most likely to advance the moral good of our nation … while it is still light.
Can you be a Christian if you are a Democrat? Sure … but even though God is in control, you need to help Him out on this one by voting (R).
Max,
Thanks for the reply. I admit that I gave everyone a loaded question, but there was intent and purpose to how I phrased the question. There really is not anything that I could disagree with you about in your comment. There is no question that the policies of Mitt Romney and the policies of President Obama are in direct conflict, particularlly on social/moral issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. As I shared with my sister, Angela, I do think it is hard (although I suppose not impossible) to reconcile a vote for President Obama with one’s Christian, Biblical worldview. I do think that Dwight McKissic makes a strong case for why he will not vote for either Obama or Romney.
When it comes to policies, I think there is a clear choice between these two men. When it comes to an orthodox, Biblical Christian faith, the differences — in the whole scheme of things — are minimal at best. That’s why this election is unique in so many ways, especially for conservative Christians that identify with Romney’s policies, but who nevertheless understand that he is a member of a cult. I still know how I will vote, but there will be a part of me that will not like it 🙂 Thanks and God bless,
Howell
That’s a well-reasoned response. BTW, I read Dwight McKissic’s blog regarding his rationale for not voting for either major party candidate. That was also well reasoned.
I don’t hear a lot of probing questions from Christians regarding the GOP, and its miserable record on social issues. Pro-life and opposition to gay marriage are in the platform, but unless voters hold party politicians accountable for their failures, nothing will happen. Bush had six years of a Republican Congress, and the chance to turn the Supreme Court pro-life, but never got around to accomplishing anything. There’s no indication in Romney’s political history that he will put much of an effort into a pro-choice Supreme court or an anti-gay marriage position. And as a Christian, I’m a lot more concerned about the impact of electing a member of a group that denies virtually every essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Mormon prophets have predicted that, one day, God will give the rule of the US to the Mormon church, and they will use that political power to usher in the return of Jesus to Independence, Missouri. They will then pave the way for Jesus to return to the Temple mount. It should make Christians a little uneasy that a Mormon candidate for President is talking about using the power of the United States to control events in the Middle East, rather than sitting around and reacting after things happen. In light of Mormon eschatology and prophecy, that should at least raise some question. You tell me why it doesn’t.
Lee,
Thanks for the comment. When it comes to the Republican side of things, I think that you are spot-on in you observation about the lack of probing questions into the GOP’s miserable record on social issues. The platform and talking points are great, but you are right that legislative accomplishments have been few and far between. The judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, has certainly not seen any kind of noticeable shift to the right on social issues. Of course, we often forget that Republicans are still politicians. They understand that religioius conservatives make up a sizeable portion of their base. These candidates, including Mormon Mitt Romney, know how to appeal to the emotions of the base, knowing that what has been promised will almost certainly not be delivered because it is practically impossible to do so. As much as we might want Roe v. Wade to be overturned and abortion outlawed, that will not happen. However, it is good politics to promise that it will. As for what you mentioned about Romney’s Mormonism, I too am not real happy about having to vote for a candidate who is a member of a non-Christian cult. If the Democrat candidate were Mormon or Muslim or Jehovah’s Witness, I’m quite sure that Evangelical Christians — including Southern Baptists — would be all over it. As it stands, most are mute when it comes to Romney’s faith. And, for those conservative Christians who say that Romney’s faith should not affect how he governs, they need to remember what they said about Bill Clinton during the Lewinski scandal. If memory serves, these same folks said that personal morals (or faith) could not be separated from the office of President. Strange days we live in. Thanks for stopping by. God bless,
Howell
Agree. But I still have to wonder, with Romney being a temple Mormon, and a member of the priesthood who has taken a blood oath of loyalty, if you can dismiss the effect of his religious beliefs on the Presidency as blithely as many Christians do. It would be regrettable to find ourselves in the position of spending two trillion dollars on a war with Iran just so Romney can self-fulfill Mormon prophecy about controlling the US government and ushering in the second coming of Christ. Or, to ignore the warning in Galatians 1:8-9 that a different gospel preached by an angel from heaven is accursed. I think that Christians need to be very, very careful in the way they approach support for this particular Republican candidate, and avoid, at all costs, anything that can remotely be seen as an endorsement or approval of his faith. The Mormon church is already hard at work convincing people that political support equals religious approval.
Lee,
Although I would not endorse any candidate for office, I have avoided endorsing Mitt Romney for just the reasons that you list. I have been critical of Richand Land, the President of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee for his “partnership” with Glenn Beck and other Mormons in the political arena. I do not see any Scriptural support for this kind of partnership and, in fact, Scripture seems to be clear that “light and dark” should not partner together. I still think that Christians can vote for Romney (I plan to), but I agree with you that we should “be very, very careful in the way they approach support for this particular candidate.” I hope that your concerns are not validated, but conservative Christians should be careful what we ask (or pray) for because we might be surprised as what we end up getting with Mitt Romney when all is said and done. Thanks and God bless,
Howell
Howell:
I do not believe the pulpit is to be used for politicization regardless of party affiliation. We are divided enough in the USA without using the church to further divide us and BTW I do not ask others for their party affiliations at church.
Howell:
Sincere question–How does a Southern Baptist vote for a mormon as President of the United States? My question certainly implys that the Southern Baptist in question would never vote for a Democrat for President.
Tom,
That is a very good question. If I were to only look at the policies of the two candidates — Romney and Obama — it would be an easy choice as to which one I would vote for. I think Romney’s Mormonism cannot be totally divorced from the decision to cast a vote for him. I have heard good arguments as to why some Southern Baptists and other Christians will not vote for Romney. Several have quoted Spurgeon that “when choosing between the lesser of two evils, choose neither.” I don’t think it is morally wrong or somehow aiding and abetting Obama (as some have claimed) to vote for a candidate other than Romney or to not even vote. I think that Christians should exercise their right to vote, but how they do so is up to them. While I do not like the fact that Romney is Mormon, I will nevertheless vote for him because I believe his policies — including on issues such as religious liberty and free speech — will be far more protective of Christians’ rights than I think Obama would in a second term. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comments. Have a great weekend and God bless,
Howell
Howell:
You said to me:”I think that Christians should exercise their right to vote, but how they do so is up to them.” I 100% agree. That is why I do not understand the position of those that seem to believe only Republicans can be Southern Baptist.
Howell:
You said:’If memory serves, these same folks said that personal morals (or faith) could not be separated from the office of President. ”
I have another word for the above position–hypocritical.
Tom,
Your word would do nicely, but I used to get paid by the word, hence my 21 word sentence when one could have sufficed 🙂
“However, what many of these 1,500 pastors and churches did this past Sunday — whether they realized it or not — is to answer the question that is the title of this post. By endorsing specific candidates representing a political party — mostly Republicans — these churches are sending a message to Democrats and the politically unaffiliated (1/3 of adults under 30 would now fit this category) in their communities that they are not welcome in these churches.”
No offense really, I am absolutely sure you are sincere in your beliefs here. And I believe that you believe in God. But you are 100% wrong in your statement above there. To illustrate, I could use the same logic to say that any pastors that proclaimed the exact words of God to their congregation on the subject of homosexuality thus sent a message to all homosexuals that they are not welcome in these churches. So what then, we water our message down such that we make no one feel uncomfortable at anytime despite any behavior whether it is contrary to God’s teachings or not?
“Can you be a Christian if you are a Democrat? That’s an easy one to answer…”
It’s terribly easy to answer, but unfortunately the modern church in this country mostly gets it wrong. There is absolutely positively no way you could be a Christian AND be a Democrat for any length of time. All Christians make mistakes, and certainly many have been dupped into voting for Democrats or Democratic causes at some point. But there is absolutely no way a person with a living vibrant relationship with the Lord and savior Jesus Christ could continue being a Democrat without being convicted by the Holy Spirit that something is terribly wrong.
It frustrates me to no end how wrong the church has it. The Democrat party should be wholly condemned by the church, not embraced. WHO do you think pulled prayer out of school? WHO do you think has allowed the ten commandments to be pulled from courts across this nation? WHO do you think has been pushing for Christianity and Christian principles to be utterly removed from every facet of every American’s lives? The Democrats are destroying the church in this country and the country along with it.
The church in this country has lost this battle big time and they don’t want to admit it. God and his church have gone from something that most people revered in this country to something most people detest or fear or both.
WAKE UP!! Time to call things for what the actually are. The Democratic party is evil. It supports and seeks to extend evil continually. As long as good Christians are not even willing to face or state that simple truth, the Democratic party is free to continue its wholesale destruction of all that is good — and it will.
If the church had a stock on an exchange I would short it. If I could grade the church, it would get an F- simply because there exists no lower grade that I could give. The church has become, not a bold exclaimer of God’s truths, but a milk toast, go along – get along pacifistic mess. And thus the country has become increasingly less willing to entertain Christian principle and has instead become much more increasingly hostile to God and Christ and their teachings. It’s not a coincidence btw. It’s due almost entirely to weakness of the church. Again, please, WAKE UP! Your house is on fire.
Can you be a Christian if your a Democrat? Can you be a Christian if your a Republican? Why are Christians divided into “liberal Christians” and “conservative Christians” anyway? Why can’t Christians simply be Christians? We don’t need and shouldn’t have to attach political adjectives to ourselves. We should be separating ourselves to be autonomous and independent of politics and government. Jesus is going to put an end to all rule and authority when he comes back anyway.