Is there a Biblical political point of view?
As a Christin, should I be a Republican, a Democrat, a Capitalists, a Socialist, or is there another that is closer to the Biblical point of view?
We Christians should live our lives in the sight of a loving God, yet one who is righteous and holy. When we try to put Him in our decisions, then we are often forced to ask ourselves difficult questions. But God's Word gives some direction, though not always clear answers.
I know very little about what a Capitalist is, or a Socialist is, or any of those other political-economic ideals. But I know Jesus taught a lot about how to live life. And one of the things that stands out to me lately is the parable of the talents. Matthew 25:14-30.
Here is a link to where you can read it. I recommend that you do.
In the parable, the ruler leaves on a journey and entrusts three servants with three different sums of money, and upon his return, he requires accounting for the management of those sums. The ones who respected him handled the sums well had doubled the amount. The third did not take responsibility and hid his in the ground and gave back the money to the ruler. The king rewarded the ones who were wise and punished the one that did nothing.
The story is about fearing God and being good stewards, and it ends with the ruler judging all three and either rewarding or punishing the servants. (I believe God is love- but you must remember He is holy and just).
The sums can represent anything, your material blessings, your wealth, your talents, your freedoms, your citizenship, and your vote.
I tried to read the Wikipedia article on capitalism, and it was long and complicated. So my limited understanding is that a capitalist says, "I earned it, it is mine, and I answer to no one for it." Of course, that is an oversimplified summary; but if it represents the foundation of the capitalist view, then I cannot be a capitalist because what I have is a gift from God and not the fruit of my own will. I must answer to God for it. That means tI should use the blessings He gives as He would have me use them, not as I would use them. In short, I am to use these blessings that He has entrusted me with to obey God and to activity love my neighbor.
I went to Wikipedia to try and learn about socialism. It is confusing, Socialism seems to be many things and different groups have different interpretations of what socialism means. My basic understanding of the socialist view is, that no man lives unto himself, we are all one, so what is mine is yours and what is yours is mine. A Socialist should collectivity use his gifts for all. Again, this is oversimplified. But if it is a correct summary of the socialist's view then I cannot be a socialist because I personally must answer to God for how I use His gifts. I cannot surrender my responsibility to the collective. I admit I do not understand how Socialist and progressives get things done but it seems they must arrive at some common ground, but that ground may not agree with my understanding of God's command to love my neighbor. So I cannot be a socialist. I am mindful of the third servant in Jesus' parable I do not want to be judged like him. I must remember that I will answer to God for how I used the gift He gives me.
I can make a long list of why I cannot be a member of this party or that, and no one would read it except to argue.
The story of the ruler who entrusted his servants with different sums makes me think about fearing God and being a good steward. The parable ends with the ruler judging all three and either rewarding or punishing the servants. (I believe God is love- but remember He is holy and just).
When God gives these blessings, He still requires an accounting because we are stewards. If I may coin a phrase, we are DIVINE STEWARDS, because He who is divine has made us stewards.
I am responsible for the gifts God has given me. As a steward, I must become more educated and informed and use those gifts to further His cause of loving my brother. I cannot accept blindly what any party says because I am answerable to God- not to a group or a party. This responsibility of stewardship is not for the lazy of mind or weak of will. It means I have to work to know the truth about charities, institutions, people, and causes. I may, with a good conscience, support institutions, and non-profits that are either conservative or progressive. I can never say that there is a program that is supported by the conservative community (or progressive), and I am a conservative (or progressive), so I will automatically give my support to it without researching it. In every case, as a steward, I must learn the answer to the question, "Is this the best use of God's blessings, and will it show His love to my brother?"
If anybody asks me if I am a Conservative or a Progressive, I say that I am neither. I have chosen the third view, and so I am a Divine Steward.
