Scripture tells us that in our assemblies, when we come together, we should pray for “kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2). This is something we regularly do in our worship service. But when it comes down to it, we also need to vote in the same direction as our prayers, and this next Tuesday is a time when it does come down to it.
As you know, it is not my place, from this pulpit, to urge you to vote for candidate x or candidate y. Vote for Murphy, or vote for Schultz, have no place here. The pulpit must never become a place for factional politics, or partisanship. At the same time, the presence of the Church in the world is inescapably political, and this means that if we do not draw the charge of partisanship, we are not doing our job. If we are not drawing the charge of license, we are not really preaching grace. If we are not drawing the charge of fatalism, we are not really preaching God’s rule over all things. So then, in the same way, if the political presence of the Church in the world makes no political difference to those given over to partisanship, then we are not fulfilling our calling rightly.
The outcome of this local race will make a great deal of practical difference to us all over the course of the next few years. The margin of victory in the last mayoral race we had was less than the population of just one of our parishes. So while I will not be doing any endorsing from this place, I do charge you—in the name of Jesus Christ—to be present in our town as a thinking Christian this next Tuesday.
So I can and will tell you that if you are eligible to vote here, you have a responsibility to do so. This is a responsibility that you must discharge before God, in a calm and responsible way. You are not to give way to the lies of secular democracy, which want you to treat your vote in some sacramental way, as though it were a sacred thing. It is nothing of the kind. But it is part of your Christian responsibility in seeking the good of the city where you live. This is not complicated.
One last thing. If you are not up to speed on the issues, then seek out someone you trust at church after the service, and simply ask.
I don’t want to nitpick, but I don’t understand how you can claim to not be politically partisan while holding the public position that a vote for Obama or 99% of Democrats disqualifies a minister from office.
God bless you Pastor. Calling christian’s to vote according to what is scriptural obvious. The christian world, as now as before, is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Those seeking to distort, mislead, confuse and confound scripture. Apostle Paul saw them clearly, as you do too. One can only stand dumbfounded as the wolves bend christian truth into a contorted conformation to cultural aberrations.. and… in an effort… seek to do what? A blogger, seeks to live one year as a christian woman, and finds the exercise futile and useless? Wow!!! Is this the new gospel? And, are followers… Read more »
Nick e, it’s not Doug’s fault that the Democrats have defined themselves as the party of baby murder.
I’m not criticizing Pastor Wilson for not supporting Democrats. I just don’t see how you can hold the position that a vote for a Democrat disqualifies a minister from office and claim to not be politically partisan. Isn’t that the definition of partisan? And yes, I know that Mr. Wilson isn’t lock step with the Republicans on everything and I know that there are some Republicans he would abstain from voting for, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t partisan.
Straightforwardly curious why you wouldn’t, with whatever qualifications you choose to state and maybe even stepping out of your robe, say, And for the convenience of everyone here together, I plan to vote as follows…Or, If you wonder who I’m going to vote for read my bumper stickers. If you think you have well-informed political love for your neighbors, why not share it, however cautiously or unofficially, from the pulpit, as the most convenient place to do so? (It’s not partisan if it’s governed by God rather than party and open about the flaws of one’s friends, even if one… Read more »
Nick e wrote: I don’t want to nitpick, but I don’t understand how you can claim to not be politically partisan while holding the public position that a vote for Obama or 99% of Democrats disqualifies a minister from office. It’s not safe to nitpick while simultaneously misrepresenting what Doug has said and done. Doug did not say that a vote for a Democrat disqualifies a minister from office. Rather Doug expressed that an unrepentant second vote for Obama would be disqualifying, and he explained his reasoning in that particular egregious situation in relation to basic shepherdly discernment. Also, to… Read more »
I just don’t understand how you can be widely supportive of the stated (though sometimes hypocritically) party platform of the Republicans, and in opposition to the vast majority of the Democrats party platform yet claim not to be partisan. Mr. Wilson wants Republicans to win elections over Democrats. That’s not a criticism and it’s certainly not something to be ashamed of. I just think it’s having your cake and eating it too to claim not to be partisan while holding the above views. Abortion is evil. Choosing to oppose the Democrats is clearly justifiable. Mr. Wilson has made it clear… Read more »
“In short his stated positions on fiscal policy, gay marriage, abortion, and the size and scope of government fall in line with the Republican position.”
Coincidence? I think not…maybe it’s that the Republican positions on these issues are falling in line with his stated positions? Why can’t that be a viable option, Nick?
Tim, No intent to answer for Nick, but I don’t think most here are questioning DW’s position on these issues. He is very clear. For me, it’s that the stated positions of most republican candidates are just that, stated. They have little, if any, meaning beyond being stated.