Christianity and Politics
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, August 31, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
We’ve been told that the United States is not a Christian nation and was not founded on Christian values. So, I did a little research and learned that “God” or “the divine” is mentioned at least once in all 50 state constitutions. Of the four state constitutions that do not mention God, three of them refer to a “Supreme Being” or “Supreme Ruler of the Universe,” and Hawaii’s constitution refers to “Divine Guidance,” instead of God.
Sixty-three percent of adults in Hawaii profess to be Christian, but Hawaii is the only state that has no Christian in its congressional delegation. However, congressional delegations in 28 of the 50 states are 100-percent professing Christian. Georgia that ranks number nine in Pew’s list of ten most populous states that are heavily Christian has a 94-percent professing Christian delegation.
Since Congress is filled with representatives and senators who profess to be Christian, it’s evident that non-Christians, as well as Christians, prefer to elect officials who present themselves as having Christian values.Those who think politics and political action are unsavory should realize that without Christian influence cultural corruption is inevitable. While all creation is held together by God, He expects mankind to “stand in the gap” for Him in this world, which operates through politics.
In the Bible, Christians are called salt, because Christians add cultural flavor and prevent decay. Christians are called lights because they reflect the Light of Jesus in this world of darkness. Christians are sent into the world as ambassadors for Christ and are classified as soldiers who will occupy this world until Christ returns. Meanwhile, as branches of the Living Vine, we are “runners” in God’s marathon for souls.
Without salt and light the world would be overwhelmed with darkness and corrosion. Just as national ambassadors facilitate communication with other nations, Christians, as ambassadors, are expected to communicate God’s Word to other people. Nations and dynasties hire soldiers to battle enemies, but God’s volunteer soldiers may freely choose to obey Him or live as AWOL deserters, absent without leave in the matters of culture.
As Christian soldiers, we put on the whole armor of God and equip ourselves, not only with the Word of God, but with information about issues and political candidates that may or may not be willing to confront imminent threats and stand against the culture’s slide into corruption. While educating ourselves and voting God’s way are choices, they are civic necessities and Christian responsibilities, as well. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.