I have some friends who are very adamant that in order to be a Christian one can only be a Conservative politically. While I do not want to argue politics here, I do have to wonder about a number of things.
1. How does a person in Guatemala, who doesn't really have a political system like ours handle this question?
2. How does a believer in Communist China, or N. Korea deal with this issue?
3. Are the above groups disqualified?
These aren't the only questions about the stance of Conservatism as a necessity to Christianity. I have tons of questions on the matter. I might spend some time expounding on a number of the questions in my head, but I want to start with this one.
I read this article called "How to Show Your Kids They're Conservative." On one hand, it teaches the value of hard work and earning something. It touches on what feelings you would have if your efforts at achievement were stripped from you and passed on to another without warning or anything. It makes you think for a minute.....
... And think I did. Funny enough, since I am a boring, one trick pony, who only thinks about or talks about Jesus, I thought about the Cross. Salvation is offered to all. There is no earning on our part. We do nothing to gain it. The Cross gives us what we don't deserve and frees us from the debt we do deserve. The Cross gives us all a 4.0 when we deserve to fail.
It hit me that Jesus Himself doesn't model Conservatism in all cases. The Sermon on the Mount hit my little brain. Matthew 5:38-42.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Now, I am not swinging on a limb that is saying Jesus is a Socialist either. Let me make that clear. I am, however, implying that there is more going on here that needs to be considered. This passage does not sit with the article above very well to some degrees. To some degree this passage is in direct opposition to what it means from the article above to be a Conservative. So that leads me to other questions.
1. Are Christianity and Conservative values always one and the same?
2. If they are on opposition, which should win out?
3. Is our allegiance more to Country or Creator?
To answer these questions in a short time I will say:
No. Christianity and Conservative values are not always the same. There are times that they are in direct opposition to each other. When they are in opposition, since our allegiance is to a Creator and Savior, we must allow Christ and His way to win out over being Conservative.
I could ramble about this topic for a few hours. I wanted to ask a tiny question, but an article I read several hours ago has now turned into an intense study that 1:00am is too late to share with you. For now, I wanted to ask this question and just tell you what hit me as I pondered it.
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