When lost, remember the Four C’s

Even a casual observer of the news will agree that today’s political climate in our country and many others around the world is contentious and bitter. Why is it that many react in such toxic ways to views that differ from their own? Is it no longer possible to disagree with other political views or ideologies in a civil way?

Could it be that we have elevated political causes into counterfeit gods? As many in our society lose the reality of God, we tend to fill the vacuum with other candidates. One way is to look to politics. Pastor Tim Keller states: “We may see our political leaders as “messiahs,” our political policies as saving doctrine, and turn to our political activities into a kind of religion.” 1) When politics has become an a counterfeit God, life gets centered on it and fear becomes a chief characteristic of life. If that counterfeit god is threatened, our response is panic. We don’t react with, “this is difficult,” but rather “This is the end! There is not hope!” Maybe this is a reason why so many people respond to political trends in U.S. politics in such extreme ways. People believe, if their policies or people are not in power, everything will come apart. Also, we begin to think of opponents not to be simply mistaken, but evil.

Is the increasing political polarization and bitterness a sign that we have made politics into a form of religion?

Al Wolters, a Dutch-Canadian philosopher 2) taught that in the biblical view of things, the main problem of life is sin, and the only solution is God and his grace. If this is not our view, we identify something besides sin as the main problem with the world and something besides God as the main remedy. By doing so, we demonize something that is not completely bad, and make and idol out of something that cannot be the ultimate good.

Of course, we are thankful for our democratic processes, such as the right and responsibility to choose who will govern us. But we need to guard against the attitude that if “my” candidate or policy wins, we have great hope for the future, while if my opponents win, the world will come to an end. We need to keep perspective. Different ideas will lead to results we will like or dislike, but ultimately, no political candidate or policy can save us from what is wrong, only God can!

Many leaders in history were under the illusion they were in control, but they were not. As Maltbie D. Babcock so skillfully states:

“This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: Why should me heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns: let earth be glad!”

God is still on the throne. He is and will still be active in the affairs of the world, no matter who rules over us. So, let us not lose heart or be overly elated depending on the politics of the day. Let us not make a counterfeit god of politics. Instead let’s put our faith squarely on the true Ruler.

If you feel disoriented by all that is going on, perhaps the advice drilled into pilots is also instructive in this case. When facing trouble pilots remember to:

• Keep Calm–becoming frazzled will lead to more problems
• Climb Higher–to get a better perspective
• Communicate–with God, pray, seeking the best
• Comply–with God’s instructions

Followers of Jesus know their lives are in His hands, whatever lies ahead!

1. Keller, Timothy, Counterfeit Gods, page 98
2. Keller, Timothy, Counterfeit Gods, page 100