Voting the Principle vs. Voting the Party
“…[destroying] arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God,
and [taking] every thought captive to obey Christ." [2 Corinthians 10:5]
What an amazing state of confusion and unrest our country is in! Lies, slander, accusations, denials; it's almost enough to make anyone step into the sidelines of political awareness and/or activity. One group of people are advising this strategy, another group is advising another. Some we trust, some…not so much. I suppose it was bound to happen when the news became a source of entertainment rather than information. But how, in the midst of all this confusion, should we determine, defend, and promote our decisions about who should lead our nation? How should we think?
1 Samuel 18-31 recounts King Saul’s maniacal pursuit of David, a loyal servant and the next anointed King of Israel. Earlier, when Saul was “tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord,” [1 Samuel 16] David would come and play his lyre (like a 10-string guitar) to comfort Him. But later, after David slew Goliath, Saul heard the people singing David’s praises and hurled a spear at him to ‘pin him to the wall’ out of jealousy! (Twice!) [1 Samuel 18] What began as a dim shadow of jealousy for his military exploits, had quickly become a lightless midnight of murderous intent toward David. So when David fled for his life, Saul mustered up his army and went after him. Twice there came a point when David and his men were able to sneak into Saul’s camp, under cloak of night, to thwart Saul’s intentions. When they approached Saul, sleeping soundly, David’s men said, basically, “Now’s your chance! Kill him, and deliver yourself from his hand!” [1 Samuel 24, 26] (No wonder Braveheart reminded me of David!)
Let’s understand his dilemma. If David struck down Saul, many good things would happen for him: he would deliver himself from the hand of his pursuer (not to mention adding a stanza to his ‘hero’ song); he could stop living on the run; he could stop sleeping in caves; he could get his wife back (or, one of them)—in short, he could live peaceably. Not only that, but so could all of his men. And, since he was the true King, many good things would happen for the country: they could rejoice because Saul the deranged oppressor would be overthrown; they would be greatly blessed because David, their King, was highly favored of the Lord; and they could finally be delivered from the perpetual threat of Philistine raids. David had a huge decision to make.
So David’s men knelt there in the stillness of midnight, utterly surrounded by a host of their enemies—hearts pounding, adrenaline rushing, breathing restrained, and spears at the ready—ears tuned and eyes fixed on David, awaiting his command. Then, hunched down near the head of his soundly-sleeping enemy, he said, “God forbid that I should raise my hand against God’s anointed.” [1 Samuel 24:10] (Imagine the reaction of his men!)
The second time David had opportunity to kill Saul, he said “…who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?...As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” [1 Samuel 26:9-11]
David made a decision dictated by principle, not by popular vote, nor by a desire for immediate personal gain. This meant that the running, the sleeping in caves, the longing for home and family, and the threat of death (for both him and his men), would continue. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be right.
Here’s the lesson: In determining who will lead our country, and be an example to us in thinking and in life, and represent us overseas, and allocate tax dollars toward or away from state-funded abortion and stem cell research, etc., we must heed God’s principles. Then, we must (as my Dad has said) “vote our principles; not (necessarily) our party.”
The accusations and denials fly, and confusion reigns over most—but the word of the Lord stands firm: “thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and “thou shalt not murder.” These are non-negotiable from the Lord, so they must be non-negotiable for us, and for the people we vote into office.
No matter what your party, we inherit our principles from God. And we have a responsibility to “cast down every argument that raises itself up against the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” So vote, encourage others to vote, and especially encourage others to “vote their principle, not their party.”
For Further Reading
[ARTICLE] Ballot Box Blues, by J. Budziszewski (of Boundless.org) EXCELLENT!
If you only read one of these, read this one by J. Budziszewski. Clear thinking on how to defend voting anti-abortion vs. voting anti-war (whether just or unjust).
[ARTICLE] One-Issue Politics, One-Issue Marriage, and the Humane Society, by John Piper
Why a candidate’s position on one issue can be decisive when casting your vote. More clear thinking!
[ARTICLE] Why Vote If You Are Disillusioned?, by John Piper
Raises the standard of statesmanship; includes a great quote from Abraham Lincoln.
[NEWS CLIP] ABC Does Your Thinking for You
If the terrorists have come out against one candidate in particular, what does that tell you? They’re comfortable with the alternative. Does that make you comfortable with the alternative?
*The author of this email list is no longer legally associated with New Life Church of Biddeford, ME; 501(c)(3) regulations do not apply. (But the 1st Amendment does!)
and [taking] every thought captive to obey Christ." [2 Corinthians 10:5]
What an amazing state of confusion and unrest our country is in! Lies, slander, accusations, denials; it's almost enough to make anyone step into the sidelines of political awareness and/or activity. One group of people are advising this strategy, another group is advising another. Some we trust, some…not so much. I suppose it was bound to happen when the news became a source of entertainment rather than information. But how, in the midst of all this confusion, should we determine, defend, and promote our decisions about who should lead our nation? How should we think?
1 Samuel 18-31 recounts King Saul’s maniacal pursuit of David, a loyal servant and the next anointed King of Israel. Earlier, when Saul was “tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord,” [1 Samuel 16] David would come and play his lyre (like a 10-string guitar) to comfort Him. But later, after David slew Goliath, Saul heard the people singing David’s praises and hurled a spear at him to ‘pin him to the wall’ out of jealousy! (Twice!) [1 Samuel 18] What began as a dim shadow of jealousy for his military exploits, had quickly become a lightless midnight of murderous intent toward David. So when David fled for his life, Saul mustered up his army and went after him. Twice there came a point when David and his men were able to sneak into Saul’s camp, under cloak of night, to thwart Saul’s intentions. When they approached Saul, sleeping soundly, David’s men said, basically, “Now’s your chance! Kill him, and deliver yourself from his hand!” [1 Samuel 24, 26] (No wonder Braveheart reminded me of David!)
Let’s understand his dilemma. If David struck down Saul, many good things would happen for him: he would deliver himself from the hand of his pursuer (not to mention adding a stanza to his ‘hero’ song); he could stop living on the run; he could stop sleeping in caves; he could get his wife back (or, one of them)—in short, he could live peaceably. Not only that, but so could all of his men. And, since he was the true King, many good things would happen for the country: they could rejoice because Saul the deranged oppressor would be overthrown; they would be greatly blessed because David, their King, was highly favored of the Lord; and they could finally be delivered from the perpetual threat of Philistine raids. David had a huge decision to make.
So David’s men knelt there in the stillness of midnight, utterly surrounded by a host of their enemies—hearts pounding, adrenaline rushing, breathing restrained, and spears at the ready—ears tuned and eyes fixed on David, awaiting his command. Then, hunched down near the head of his soundly-sleeping enemy, he said, “God forbid that I should raise my hand against God’s anointed.” [1 Samuel 24:10] (Imagine the reaction of his men!)
The second time David had opportunity to kill Saul, he said “…who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?...As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” [1 Samuel 26:9-11]
David made a decision dictated by principle, not by popular vote, nor by a desire for immediate personal gain. This meant that the running, the sleeping in caves, the longing for home and family, and the threat of death (for both him and his men), would continue. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be right.
Here’s the lesson: In determining who will lead our country, and be an example to us in thinking and in life, and represent us overseas, and allocate tax dollars toward or away from state-funded abortion and stem cell research, etc., we must heed God’s principles. Then, we must (as my Dad has said) “vote our principles; not (necessarily) our party.”
The accusations and denials fly, and confusion reigns over most—but the word of the Lord stands firm: “thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and “thou shalt not murder.” These are non-negotiable from the Lord, so they must be non-negotiable for us, and for the people we vote into office.
No matter what your party, we inherit our principles from God. And we have a responsibility to “cast down every argument that raises itself up against the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” So vote, encourage others to vote, and especially encourage others to “vote their principle, not their party.”
For Further Reading
[ARTICLE] Ballot Box Blues, by J. Budziszewski (of Boundless.org) EXCELLENT!
If you only read one of these, read this one by J. Budziszewski. Clear thinking on how to defend voting anti-abortion vs. voting anti-war (whether just or unjust).
[ARTICLE] One-Issue Politics, One-Issue Marriage, and the Humane Society, by John Piper
Why a candidate’s position on one issue can be decisive when casting your vote. More clear thinking!
[ARTICLE] Why Vote If You Are Disillusioned?, by John Piper
Raises the standard of statesmanship; includes a great quote from Abraham Lincoln.
[NEWS CLIP] ABC Does Your Thinking for You
If the terrorists have come out against one candidate in particular, what does that tell you? They’re comfortable with the alternative. Does that make you comfortable with the alternative?
*The author of this email list is no longer legally associated with New Life Church of Biddeford, ME; 501(c)(3) regulations do not apply. (But the 1st Amendment does!)
posted by Unknown at 10/29/2004 03:48:00 PM
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