Practice What You Preach

by Chuck Colson

How should Christians view politics? How do we decide the issues and candidates to support in this already overheated political year? The answer is not as simple as you may think.

At the National Prayer Breakfast in February, I spent a pleasant session with a group of fellow Christians talking about protecting the unborn, fighting religious persecution, eliminating slavery in Africa, and defending marriage. No controversy here.

But only hours later, I met an old friend, a Christian activist, who asked me to sign a petition opposing President Bush’s plan to give legal rights to illegal aliens. When I declined, reminding him of the Bible’s commands to care for the poor and persecuted and to welcome strangers in our midst, he was annoyed and started giving me the familiar arguments. Then he tipped his hand. “Besides, they’ll all vote Democratic.”

The example of immigration is a tough call. Many conservatives oppose “rewarding” aliens for breaking the law, and fear they’ll take jobs away from American citizens.

The conservative in me tends to agree. But then I turn to Leviticus, where I find God’s
command to “love the sojourner . . .” And in Deuteronomy, the Israelites are warned: “You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner.” The writer of Hebrews reminds us to show “hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Clearly, we have a biblical mandate to care for the marginalized—making prudent political judgments in doing so, like screening and making case-by-case decisions.

I get in similar trouble when I advocate allowing felons to vote. Many Christians object to this because they’re afraid ex-cons will vote Democratic. I do not believe that is the case, but even if I did, I know the Bible promises redemption and restoration. I believe all ex-cons should be given back their rights after a time if they show they are living a responsible life‹no matter whom they vote for.

You and I in good faith may disagree on how we should deal wisely with illegal immigration or voting rights for ex-cons. And Christian politicians have to consider not only the Scriptures but prudential concerns. There are many policy questions that don’t raise clear biblical questions on which Christians must exercise judgment.

But with some issues there is no “wiggle” room. For instance, the Bible is clear about the sanctity of human life. If a Christian lawmaker votes for abortion, he should be called to account. Taking unborn life is a sin; one can’t disregard this and still be faithful to Christ.

That’s why I was pleased when Raymond Burke, the archbishop of St. Louis, announced that Catholic politicians who support abortion rights will be denied Communion. As Catholic legal scholars Robert George and Gerard Bradley note in National Review Online, the bishop has the right “to order them to refrain from receiving communion so long as they persist in what the Church teaches are acts of profound injustice against their fellow human beings.”

They’re right. The Kingdom of God must always trump the kingdom of politics.

Evangelicals should learn a lesson from our Catholic brothers. We seldom discipline members whose votes violate biblical teaching. I know one prominent congressman who has for years worn his faith on his sleeve and frequently speaks at large Christian gatherings. But last year he voted against the ban on partial birth abortion. Astonishing! Even more astonishing is he remains prominent in evangelical circles.

All of us must search our consciences this year and weigh each issue carefully against scriptural teachings. We mustn’t settle for scorecards or knee-jerk reactions, as many have in the past. Ask yourself how politicians meet God’s standards of justice and righteousness, how they respect life and care for the marginalized. And then decide who best reflects these convictions and can best preserve order and restrain evil, the first tasks of government ordained by God.

As for candidates who proclaim their Christianity and then vote against clear biblical teachings, hold them accountable at the polls—and at church. When the world looks at the Church, it should be offended by the scandal of the Cross, not the scandal of hypocrisy.