Is the 2004 election process a political campaign or an old-fashioned tent revival? It seems just about every candidate has seen the light and walked the sawdust trail to electoral salvation.
President George Bush is arguably one of the most outspoken, self-professed Christians to occupy the Oval Office. Young Bush met Billy Graham one weekend and says, "I was humbled to learn that God sent His Son to die for a sinner like me. I was comforted to know that through the Son, I could find God's amazing grace, a grace that crosses every border, every barrier and is open to everyone."
Not to be outdone, Democratic candidate, Howard Dean, has suddenly begun testifying to his faith. In a recent Boston Globe interview, the front-runner, said Jesus was an important influence in his life and that he would probably share with some voters the model Jesus has served for him. "Christ . . . set an extraordinary example that has lasted 2000 years, which is pretty inspiring when you think about it."
Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina says he "turned to the Bible" after his 16-year-old son, Wade, was killed in a car accident.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, an ordained Pentecostal minister since age 9, noted in a recent debate that he prays daily.
Wesley Clark, is a candidate for all faiths. His father was Jewish, his mother raised him Methodist, then Baptist. He converted to Catholicism prior to marriage and now attends a Presbyterian Church.
Apparently being a person of faith is good for campaigns. According to a 2000 poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 70 percent of voters nationally want their president to be "a person of faith."
"What's more, since Carter's 1976 profession that he is born again, voters have expected a faith narrative," reports sociologist Alan Wolfe, director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College. "More and more candidates are going to find out that Americans are going to want them to say something about their faith and how that affects their life,"
So, WWJE? Who would Jesus elect? It's not an easy question.
First, Jesus would warn against ". . . people [who] honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is actually living out Jesus' teachings.
Second, Jesus would warn against those who parade their faith for personal--and political--gain. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Third, Jesus would ask, what's your record on issues that are important to Me? "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink? I was a stranger and you invited me ink, I needed clothing and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sister of mine, you did it for me."
And, fourth, Jesus would probably evaluate how the candidates were treating each other based on His "love your enemies; bless those who persecute you" command.
So, don't support someone simply because he or she mouths the right spiritual sound bytes. Rather, follow Christ's warning as you evaluate the candidates: "Be as shrewd as snakes."
Copyright © 2004 James N. Watkins
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