Neither Fish Nor Fowl Amongst A Blood Sport
Representing the Adventist Church in political circles is one fraught with potential misunderstanding. The political context can be polarizing at times. Politics, known as a “blood sport,” often demands that a person or organization be in favor of one political proposal at the expense of another. While at the same time politics is an “art of compromise” - a compromise of one’s own view or principle to arrive at an agreement. Living with such dissonance is uncomfortable. As a Christian – as an Adventist Christian – such things as “blood sport” and “compromise” is even more difficult to deal with. We have our basic fundamental principles that cannot be compromised. It would be dishonest to do so – yet we are called upon to take a decision.
When Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) leaders express the view of the Church – sometimes we find ourselves being labelled “Republican” or “Democrat” based on the given subject at hand. If we compliment a policy of the current Obama administration on the issue of internet freedom regarding religious expression we are labelled “Democratic” supporters. If, however we support an opinion of a Republican politician on the issue of religious freedom in the workplace we are labelled as “Republican” supporters. The truth is we are neither of those – neither a Democratic supporter nor a Republican supporter in the raw political sense. We are simply advancing the position that we are called upon to proclaim – religious freedom as a basic human right for all mankind. Dead stop. Nothing more and nothing less.
The Adventist Church is not interested – nor should it ever be – in the taking of sides with one political actor against another upon the stage. Rather we will take a side on an issue, based on our principle, regardless of which actor, party or non-party supports the matter. This thinking stems from the teaching of Christ when the political leaders of the day attempted to corner Him on the support of the state. They sought to embarrass Him by asking, “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
If He were to say that it is not lawful to pay taxes He would have been accused of revolt – against the state or the party in power; and if He had said to give full allegiance to the state He would have been accused of not accepting the political position of the religious leaders in opposing the state. He was, in the mind of some, caught.
He asked for a coin. “Whose image and inscription is this?”
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
When they heard this – Scripture says, “they marveled.” (Matt. 22:17-22.)
He was neither a Sadducee, nor a Pharisee, nor a Herodian – He was/is the Son of God.
God is neither a Republican, nor a Democrat, nor a conservative, nor a liberal – He cannot be pinned down to one of man’s nomenclature. He is who He is. And likewise the Adventist Church’s work cannot be categorized by any political party platform.