Purposeful Politics

God is speaking regarding the nation to which He has called us to inhabit. Psalm 33 states:
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

He is speaking, but are we listening and following His direction?  And, to what degree are the candidates who want our vote following God's principles?

A group of what was reported to be 300 "Christian leaders" have issued a statement that is entitled, generically enough, "Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction."  The signatories seem to be of the progressive wing of Christianity and at first glance, as Terry Mattingly notes in a piece I found at the Cumberland Times-News website, Andrew Walker of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary writes at The Gospel Coalition website: “It’s hard to read this new confession and disagree with any word in it. The statement is correct in virtually all its ... assertions about Jesus Christ’s supremacy over worldly political regimes and about the dehumanizing attitudes that can corrupt Christian political witness..."

He goes on to say:

Several commentators have noted that this confession appears — in format and subject matter — to have been inspired by the “Barmen Declaration,” published in 1934 by the Confessing Church of Germany as a rejection of the Nazi Party.

“Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction” declares: “No political ideology or earthly authority can claim the authority that belongs to Christ. ... We reject the false teaching that anyone other than Jesus Christ has been anointed by God as our Savior, or that a Christian’s loyalty should belong to any political party. We reject any message that promotes devotion to a human leader or that wraps divine worship around partisanship.”

Mattingly notes:

It’s important, noted Walker, that this new confession says Christians shouldn’t retreat from the public square, while it also condemns political actions it considers worldly.

In Walker's piece, he writes: "There’s nothing wrong with making political claims...if those are truly in the furtherance of the common good. Why? Because that’s what politics simply is: the organizing of power for the sake of mutual benefit."

He goes on to say:

Navigating the complexities of modern politics is difficult. But Christians must recognize that political power, when wielded justly, can be a tool for promoting the common good and upholding God’s created order. This requires discernment, wisdom, and a willingness to engage in the political process without compromising core biblical principles.

Walker chides signers of this declaration who associate with those who oppose Biblically-based viewpoints on the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, which obviously do not uphold the "common good." 

On X, pastor and podcast host Lucas Miles characterized this and other similar documents as "riddled with half-truths and politically charged language, subtly pushing a leftist agenda under the guise of faith. The signatories are predictably drawn from the ranks of progressive Christianity."  He posted the ID's of Russell Moore, Phil Vischer, Curtis Chang, and Karen Swallow Prior, all of whom have developed a reputation to be disruptive, left-leaning progressives. Miles goes on to say:

This latest statement, "Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction," is no different. It elevates human activism and social justice above the authority of Scripture, misdiagnosing America's real problem—sin—by scapegoating "candidate worship."

This "Confession" seems to be a utilization of Scripture to achieve a desired political outcome.  That's not the purpose of the Bible.  In examining our political choices, we start with the Scriptures, then we prayerfully examine our choices and, as it's been said, select the candidate who best lines up with our Biblical viewpoint.  We don't start with a worldly viewpoint and then attempt to fit Scripture to it. That's applicable to elections, and it's applicable to other areas of our lives.  

But, do not sit this one out.  We recognize that the direction of our nation has been greatly influenced by the outcome of elections.  Now, we realize that God is sovereign, and that He is ultimately the One who raises up and deposes leaders.  But, I believe there is a distinct responsibility the Church has, and because millions of evangelical Christians have actually sat out elections, as studies show, we have received leadership that does not reflect Biblical principles.  If we want leaders who reflect our deeply held beliefs - and there's nothing wrong with that, then we should examine the candidates and vote for the one closest to our beliefs.