Arrogance in politics reveals a different and new form of idolatry
Posted by The Skyliner on November 4th, 2009Paul Conner
Sports Editor
We live in a country where free speech welcomes opinions of all perspectives, especially in the political realm. True to their pioneer spirit, Americans are constantly finding new ways of disseminating their political viewpoints to anyone and everyone who will listen.
In listening to the grand conversation, I have been disturbed to find that a sense of arrogance and pride often dominates the debates, even on North Greenville University’s campus. In listening to talk radio and town hall meetings, I’ve been amazed by the angry, condemnatory comments made by self-identified believers.
Mention the name of President Barack Obama in conversation on this campus and listen to the bitter remarks that follow. I have been amazed by some of the cynical, almost hateful comments made by confessing Christians about their president.
From where do these comments come? They ultimately stem from a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty.
Throughout the Old Testament, God proved that the ways of the rulers of the earth were determined by Him. He gave Joseph favor in the eyes of the Pharaoh, He hardened the heart of the next Pharaoh to allow Israel to escape, He raised up Cyrus to rule the kingdoms of the earth so that the house of the Lord would be rebuilt, He stymied the plans of Sennacherib to destroy Jerusalem, He humbled Nebuchadnezzar.
Proverbs tells us that “the king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.” Psalms tells us that the Lord laughs at the rulers who think they can rebel against Him.
In light of this truth, Christians should have no reason to be cynical or hateful. Instead, we are free to be joyful and at peace knowing that God is in control. Many of the bitter comments I hear are a product of men’s hearts worshipping incorrectly.
People who worship their political ideology or hero draws significance and identity from them. When their hero is in power, they are content; when their hero is in derision, they are worried and fearful. The problem for Christians is that we are to worship Jesus, not an ideology or politician.
Anything that we worship besides Jesus is an idol. Any political persuasion, conservative or liberal, can become an idol when it takes the place of Jesus.
Some people even use Jesus as a way to fuel their idolatry by claiming that He is the source of their particular ideology. They pray to Him so that their cause will be successful, evoke His name to justify their idolatry and misuse His Word to promote their hero.
The Creator of the universe is not tied to a political persuasion and those who believe so go far in underestimating His divinity. When Joshua encountered the angel at the wall of Jericho, he asked, “Are you for us or against us?”
The angel replied, “Neither, but as the Lord of hosts I come.” God is great and glorious and should not be used as a pawn to advance a political ideology.
The result of idolatry is that Christians demonize the opposing side instead of engaging in honest, respectful dialogue. They spend time promoting the downfall of the opposing leader rather than humbly seeking God to give the leader wisdom.
These actions do not bring Jesus honor and glory, and when Jesus is not being worshipped, only one attitude is acceptable—broken, humble repentance.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 8