Friday, August 1, 2008

Presidential Elections vs. the Kingdom of God

By Rick Pearcey

A renowned pastor apparently cares little about the 2008 presidential election because such things have "nothing to do with the kingdom of God."

And yet Jesus said, "Love thy neighbor" (Matt. 22: 39).

Now, if you "love thy neighbor," do you not also care somewhat about the neighborhood of thy neighbor? It may therefore be a matter of godly and humane concern who is elected President, not just of the "neighborhood," as it were, but also of the country.

For if the King of the kingdom of God says "love thy neighbor" is important, and this love includes compassion about the real-world impact of concepts, practices, and leaders on the lives of our neighbors, is it not part of the kingdom of God to care somewhat about who is elected President?

Yes it is. This is part of the Total Truth of what it means to be a compassionate human being alive to fellowship with the Creator and newness of life, across the whole of life, in relation to our neighbors.

This is one of many reasons presidential elections matter not just now, but also in eternity.

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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (articles).

1 comment:

Joe Colannino said...

What ever happened to what Jesus called the first and greatest commandment: loving God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind? What of Paul's admonition to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this word, but [to] be transformed by the renewing of your mind" in order that we would "be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will"? [Ro 12.2 NIV] Before we dis the religion that brought us the hospital, the university, and the scientific method, would it be too much for Christian men and women to stand up for what they believe? Dear God, I hope not.