The Death of Christian Influence on Politics in America (Part 10)

Click on following links for earlier articles: Part 1,  Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8 and Part 9.

In Evangelical Christianity’s foray into political activism over the last thirty years, who has changed who? Have we Christians changed American culture or either of the two political parties? Or have the culture and political parties changed Christianity?

To me, the answer is obvious.

Instead of our hearts being circumcised by political activism, the American church has been carved into little pieces by political activism’s flint knife. Right wing Christians. Red letter Christians. Republican Christians. Democrat Christians. Moderate Christians. Black Christians. White Christians. Etc. Etc. Etc.

American Christianity today, like Israel, has arrived at the Jordan River. Moses, in the form of our old ways, is dead; we can no longer depend on him. We need new Joshua’s who are willing to lead us Christians and help us roll away the shame of our slavery to systems which have miserably failed us.

And at this point in history, America can not afford to have a divided Body of Christ.

…Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)

If we place all of the agonizing political issues which divide the Body of Christ on one side of a balance scales, its total weight will not offset what is about to hit our nation, especially on the West Coast. Terrorism!

When the first bombs explode in our malls and bodies, young and old, are writhing in their death throes, no longer will we focus on what divides us, instead we will focus on one thing: survival.

But if we Christians are divided now, how will we be able to unite and give hope to the suffering people in our midst when tragedies are happening all around us? We won’t!

Instead, we will stand and point fingers at each other and say, “I voted for McCain. It’s your fault, not mine!” Or, “I voted for Obama. It’s not my fault!” Or, “I voted for Palin.” Or, “I voted for whomever! Don’t blame me for these deaths!”

You see, whatever is in our hearts will eventually come out of our mouths at the most inopportune times. And instead of the tragedies being the American Church’s finest hour, it will be our worst nightmare. A time of shame and impotence.

So, what do I propose?

We Christians need to reopen the wounds of the Vietnam War and ask forgiveness of the divisive sins we allowed to come into the Body of Christ during the 1960’s.This will be heart wrenching, but it needs to be done.

Not only that, but we also need to ask forgiveness for the millions of deaths which were caused to innocents living in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia when America broke all of its promises when we pulled out.

As I stated earlier, for me, the answer is obvious.

I am getting off the Christian political merry-go-round.  No longer will I consider myself a Christian conservative values voter, instead I will join that faceless group known as “non-voting Christians“. And I will use my time and energy to build unity with whomsoever I can.

Your decision is up to you, but remember this: the clock is running. And the bombs will arrive soon enough.

(Conclusion)

A new series begins on Wednesday.