Sermon preached by John A. Huffman, Jr.
November 5, 2006
Copyright © 2006, John A. Huffman, Jr.
All rights reserved.

ELECTIONS, PRINCES & GOD

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. (Psalm 146:3-4)

Well, we're into it again. It's this crazy political pre-election day frenzy. It's now coming to a crescendo, as we're now just two days from the polls opening.

This year, I have made a hobby of saving politically charged newspaper articles, advertisements, and the dozens of political pamphlets received through the mail. I've been amazed at how many of the candidates have left messages on our home voice mails.

And now, we are confronted with those last-minute exposés--some false some true, some partly false and true--but the most salacious stuff saved for the last minute. Research this week reveals that there are ten negative attack ads for every one ad declaring the virtues of a particular candidate or issue on the ballot. Why in the world are there so many of these hateful, negative ads, when most of us despise them? Well, surveys this week also reveal that they are exponentially more effective than positive advertising. We remember the negative. They touch us at some primal point and evoke an action response.

And the campaign isn't over yet. It's not even a presidential election year, but it sounds like the two presidential candidates of 2004 were back at it again this past week. What exposés will yet emerge in the next forty-eight hours, ranging all the way from allegations about the necessity for or the carrying out of the Iraq war, harsh comments on environmental issues, or even new human sexuality scandals.

I have been frequently approached in the last few days by individuals and organizations wanting me to take public stands on the issues, hand out voter guides, endorse particular candidates and ballot measures. I have chosen not to do so, not because I don't have strong opinions, but because I am your pastor. For me to declare that my public statements are those merely of an individual would be to blind myself to reality. No religious leader is lobbied for endorsement without the intention that that statement will speak to and for that person's constituency.

However, the fact that I will not endorse any particular candidates, parties or ballot measures does not mean that I and all pastors should keep our mouths shut at election time.

Here in the United States, we have a great tradition, going all the way back to the Puritan era, of what were referred to as "election-day sermons." The congregational preachers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were convinced that it was their theological responsibility to speak from the pulpit with a biblical perspective that would impact the body politic and, more specifically, effect the "common wealth" of the community.

I believe that the last time I preached an election-day sermon was in 1992. You will remember that was the year in which the three primary presidential candidates were the incumbent George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton and H. Ross Perot.

In its purist form, politics is actually quite good. The dictionary defines politics as "the science and art of government." It involves the concerns of all. It is the endeavor to organize society in a way that it is safeguarded from anarchy. A low point in the life of any nation or local community is when there is no civil order. The result is moral and even physical anarchy. Historically, societies have fallen somewhere on the scale of tyranny at one extreme to anarchy at the other. Iraq is an excellent example of this and is reflective of our own confusion. Who of us, no matter what our opinions on the war are, would idealize reinstalling the now convicted Saddam Hussein as the Iraqi leader, taking us back to the days of his despotism? On the other hand, who of us would say that we idealize the anarchy that now exists in that country, evidenced by sectarian violence.

Politics in itself is wholesome.

Does the Bible have anything to say about politics?

Jesus did not attack politics or politicians. In fact, He blessed it and them.

Remember when the Pharisees were plotting to entrap Him in what He said? They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians, trying to trick Him in the area of politics. They asked Him whether or not it was lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not. For Him to say "No" would create trouble with the Romans. For Him to say "Yes" would cause Him to be labeled a traitor by some. Jesus asked them to show Him a coin that was used for the tax. They brought Him a denarius. He asked them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then He said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperors, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).

As problematic as were the Roman emperors of His day and their heavy-handed imposition of government throughout their empire, Jesus still endorsed the necessity and the importance of some kind of civil discipline. He himself would ultimately be put on trial and crucified by both the Jewish and Roman establishment. Nonetheless, He was not an anarchist, but one who clearly stated the importance of human civil government as distinct from the community of religious faith.

All of the Bible emphasizes that our primary allegiance must be to God.

Granted, the ideal form of government would be theocracy, in which we all, unimpacted by our sinful natures, would live according to God's standards in loving, generous harmony with each other. That's the way it will be in heaven. But even God recognized that, as the result of sin, His people, the Jews, were not prepared to live that way. They wanted a king. With reluctance, He granted them their wishes, warning them that such civil leadership would take its toll in taxes, military conscription and arbitrary rule.

You and I must realize that our primary allegiance is to Jesus Christ, not to civil leadership or any political party. I could give you example after example of Christians who have stood up to diabolical leadership, declaring their faith in Jesus Christ as supreme. One of these was my dear friend Bishop Festo Kivengere of Uganda, who risked his own life pointing his finger in the face of the diabolical dictator Idi Amin, accusing him of the personal assassination of the Bishop of Kampala. Our invitation to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is to call you and me to a higher allegiance than our national citizenship. We are called, in the final analysis, to have our ultimate allegiance to Jesus Christ, not to human leadership. At the same time, we are to have a higher degree of faithful citizenship because of this primary allegiance than we would without it.

The Apostle Paul instructs us to civic responsibility. He is one who also would die by the Roman sword, but he still saw the value of government. He wrote to the Christians in the church at Rome, the capital of that great empire: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain. It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:1-4).

How do you and I implement political responsibility?

First: Be politically aware.

Take the time to be knowledgeable on the issues of our day. It's not easy. As I am writing this sermon, I have not yet finished working through my absentee ballot. I find some of the measures confusing and am not familiar with all of the candidates, particularly those running for judgeships and school board positions. At least make an effort.

Second: Join a political party.

I know some of you will find that objectionable. You claim that you're going to vote for the candidate, not the political party. You can still do that. But remember, the list of candidates for which you get to vote in the final election tends to be those chosen by the party in whatever caucus or primary determines the final slate. Seldom is the "Independent" candidate that viable. Joseph Lieberman may be the exception in this election. But I remember with all the fanfare over Perot in 1992, his candidacy as an Independent was not that viable, except wherein it may have tipped the election to Clinton over Bush.

Third: Get to work on issues of concern.

This may surprise you to hear me say this, since we at St. Andrew's have historically refused to endorse political candidates and hand out voter guides, as do some churches. This isn't because we are complacent on the issues. You have every right to work for those issues and candidates that you feel best represent biblical values and truth.

Fourth: Prayerfully vote.

As frustrating as it is to walk into that voting booth and confront the complexity of options, to stay home and not vote is to abdicate one of the most precious opportunities a person has in a free society. Utilize the privilege of franchise.

Fifth: Be willing to run for office.

One of the greatest contributions you can make is to be willing to take a leadership position in the community, however humble or prominent that position may be. True success is not winning the election. True success is being willing to serve with courage and firmly grounded principles, in a way that will enhance the well-being of the community.

Let me share with you some questions to ask yourself as you prayerfully vote.

I know that you are bombarded with voter guides. I've mentioned in the past that, in 2004, persons unauthorized by St. Andrew's handed out two voter guides on the campus of the church. I went over both of them and found out something quite interesting. Each one gave a litmus test as to how a Christian should vote on the issues. In each case, the litmus test dealt with values, principles and teachings of the Bible. The one voter guide listed these questions in a way that the only logical conclusion, if you gave the right answers to the questions, was that you must vote for George W. Bush. The other list of questions was just as valid but were carefully arranged in a way that the only logical conclusion was that you had to vote for John Kerry. I, then, sat down and combined the two lists, and the result was a bit more problematic. I realize neither candidate nor political party was perfect and, if I found that to be the case for the presidential candidates and those running for the highest elected offices in the nation and state, it became even more problematic in regard to those persons with whom I was less familiar and those issues that were even more complex.

As I now finish filling out my ballot, I am asking myself the following questions that I worked out this week. I submit them to you as how to vote christianly. Adapt them, change them, make your own substitutions or additions, but at least engage these as you go to the polls.

Question #1: What would Jesus do?

That may seem a bit simplistic to you. However, some of the issues are clear-cut. You know right well what Jesus would do. Vote that way.

But most of them are not so clear. And Jesus is not here to clarify except in principle. So I have to ask myself additional questions.

Question #2: Which candidate has the greatest personal integrity?

Question #3: Which candidate is the most competent?

It's important that we select public officials who are aware of the complexities of the issues and not simply demogogueric in expressing opinions that I may like but are over-simplified in the process.

Question #4: Where does the candidate stand on a whole array of principles and policies?

Be aware of a one-issue candidate.

Question #5: What is the overall stance of the candidate's political party?

Some leaders are able to transcend the weaknesses of their political party. Some do not have that vision.

Question #6: What issue and what candidate values life the most--both life in the womb and life outside the womb?

Beware of those who are not holistic in their value of life. It's easy to find those who uphold the rights of the unborn but give very little attention to issues of righteousness, justice and mercy for the disadvantaged in society. This has implications even in matters of national defense and international relations. What is a "just" war? What is our responsibility in situations like Darfur and the international AIDS crisis? On the other hand, we can find persons highly articulate on the justice issues for those already born but who tend to devalue the life of the unborn. As a soon-to-be first-time grandfather, I have been astounded at the meticulous detail of the human anatomy revealed by the ultrasound profile picture of little Owen taken at thirteen weeks.

Question #7: Am I voting motivated by justice, righteousness and mercy or just my own personal welfare and prejudices?

Question #8: What would be the best of two less than satisfactory choices?

The reality is that our choices are not that clear-cut. Neither political party is perfect. No candidate is perfect. Sometimes we must choose between the least negative or the most positive.

Please rework this list, if you don't find some of these that helpful. Add your own items to it, as you prayerfully go to the polls.

Finally, remember your highest allegiance is to God.

Whomever you vote for, that person, at his or her very best, cannot meet all your expectations. And most will not always be at their very best.

Our text is profound in its instructions. It puts everything into perspective. It declares, "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish" (Psalm 146:3-4).

This has profound implications for anyone in a leadership position and those of us who are followers of those in leadership positions. A leader must never forget his or her own mortality. And those of us who follow our leaders must never put our ultimate trust in princes, whatever their leadership role is. They, too, are mortal. The only one to be trusted ultimately is God.

Our text continues, "Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 146:5-10).

It's important that we take the long-haul view, isn't it?

It's so appropriate that this election-day sermon comes at the same time as our "All Saints" service, honoring those of our number who have died in the past twelve months.

We now will honor those who have departed, not by their political party, how they voted, what leaders they followed, but by their worth as individuals created in the image of God, claiming His promises to those who repent and put their trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Human leadership comes and goes. The triune God is the only one worthy of all honor and praise.

I conclude with this, the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism. It summarizes so beautifully the bottom line of what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ in this life and the next.

"Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?"

"A. That I belong--body and soul, in life and in death--not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him."