The Theology of Evicting Congress

[JoelMcDurmon]

American Vision has teamed up with The Patriot Update and other concerned Americans to establish the “Evict the Congress” campaign. This is an organized effort to tell our radical ram-rodding representatives and president, “Listen to your constituents, OR GET BOOTED.” A lot of Christians think such political action lies outside the scope of Christianity. Even those who do get motivated to political action sometimes feel uncomfortable linking their political opinions to their faith. I think we should begin with the faith and then move to political action based upon it. We should, therefore, first secure within our hearts and minds the theological basis of political action itself. This article will assay a bit upon at least a part that theme.

The theological basis of political action, including voting, lies in this simple but rarely discussed doctrine: the Kingship of all believers. In Reformed and Reformational circles we have grown accustomed to hearing a lot about the priesthood of all believers, but Scripture speaks just as clearly about the Kingship of all believers. We are not just a priesthood, but a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). Jesus Christ, the “prince of the kings of the earth… has made us kings and priests unto God…” (Rev. 1:5–6), “and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10). Paul echoes the prophet Daniel in saying “the saints shall judge the world” (1 Cor. 6:2; Dan. 7:22; cp. Rev. 20:4). Indeed, Paul says, we shall even judge angels (1 Cor. 6:3).

We exercise this “power” now due to our union with the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Paul confirms the institution, continuation, and omnipotence of Christ’s current rule in Ephesians 1:18–22:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.…

The reader will notice the references to Psalm 110:1 which I have written about before. Note also that the inheritance of power and rule spoken of here is an inheritance in the saints. We share in His rule. Paul tells us explicitly a few verses later that God “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). As Christ is seated at the right hand of God, so are we seated with Him—in Him—by virtue of our union with Him.

So as kings, how are we to rule? We should rule as ambassadors of Christ, spreading God’s word and promoting His law wherever we can in this fallen world. We are to rule not according to our will but His will. And the idea of “will” brings us to a very important point: voting. In a Facebook post this week Gary mentioned that one of the things we can do to “change things” is simply to vote when we have the chance. In reference to the recent defeat of homosexual marriage in Maine, he wrote, “We can change a lot by just showing up and saying no!” I would add that we need to exercise our voices to our local representatives, letting them know that if they don’t vote “no!” when we say “vote no!” then we will work to evict them and replace them with people who will. This is a simple exercise in the political sovereignty of individual kings.

Someone commented on Gary’s post with a challenge, “If voting is such a key instrument of bringing righteousness, why doesn’t it get any emphasis in scripture?” Two quick issues here before we address the substance of the question: first, Gary did not say that voting is “a key instrument in bringing righteousness,” he said it could bring “change.” I think he would say that voting can restrain evil (in this sense it would help the cause of righteousness), but not necessarily bring righteousness itself. Political power can never make other people more righteous even if it forces them to conform to a more righteous set of laws.

Secondly, there is a fundamental awkwardness in assuming that if Scripture doesn’t explicitly emphasize something, then therefore it’s not important. Scripture doesn’t emphasize buying pasteurized milk in plastic gallon jugs. Shall we there stop this great supermarket-imposed evil? Scripture nowhere emphasizes arguments for the existence of God. Shall we therefore not believe in Him? Of course not, because silence on an issue should never automatically be interpreted as dismissal or denial of any certain position on that issue. On the contrary, lack of emphasis on a subject often occurs because of common assent by the audience involved. Scripture does not argue the existence of God, for example, it rather assumes it from page one, because it was the given understanding for those to whom it was written.

Could the same be said for “voting”? Certainly not if we understand “voting” to include the whole system of modern political theory of federalism and representative republics (although this grows directly out of Scripture, and goes through Calvinism historically).[1] But given two things I think we must find a theology of voting in Scripture:

First, understand the idea of “voting” in general. The word “vote” comes from the Latin, votum, which simply means “a vow.” The verb form is vovere and means “to vow, dedicate, promise, will.” At its root, a vote is simply a vow expressing your will. When you vote, you express your will for social changes. As a Christian you must express your will according to the will of your Head, Christ. It’s a simple as that. By voting in the public arena we live out our baptismal and communion vows of faithfulness (devotion) to Christ’s law and exercise our judgment upon social issues according to that law. If our representatives do not faithfully represent our will (Christ’s will) while voting in place of us, then we hold the same power of judgment upon their term in office. The public vote is one historical sanction we can exercise as part of our kingship. There are others—private property, gold, and bearing of arms—but the vote is one, and we dare not fail to speak out for the cause of Christ using every power and right that we have, including the vote. (There remains much to be said about covenant, authority, law, oaths and sanctions, and inheritance in relation to voting. This is a beginning.)

Secondly, Scripture provides more than one instance of the power of the people to choose their laws. God Himself issued his covenant to such a ratification. Even though He essentially demanded its ratification and promised blessings for doing so or curses for declining, He yet left the people free to choose (I am not endorsing Arminianism here, please don’t write and try to out-Calvin me): “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deut. 30:19). Likewise, once Joshua established the people in the promised-land, the ratification of the covenant was a voluntary affair. The people voted unanimously in favor, yet Joshua offered them a genuine choice: “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:14–26). God’s people are expected, as He rules their hearts and minds, to express their will according to God’s will. We must make godly choices in society. We are to choose against evil and oppression (Prov. 3:31) and this certainly means voting “no!” when necessary.

I realize that there is much else to say on this matter—ideas further to flesh out, objections to answer, qualifications to consider—but this bare bones background sets us in the right direction. Christ rules, we rule with Him, we must advance His law-order in every area of society through persuasion and through the tools of kingship (sovereignty) that he provides for us in history. Where we can, we must exercise those tools as means of expressing His will.

Right now, among other things, we can vote. If government power continues to grow and welfare programs continue to reduce citizens to dependents, the right to vote will increasingly grow more and more insignificant. Right now, we can get the attention of representatives by threatening their tenure with our vote. This is limited power, but real power. Exercise it while you can. Call and write your Senators and Congressmen at state and federal levels to voice Christ’s will today. Let them know, “Listen to your constituents, OR GET BOOTED.” And, send them a notice of this sentiment today.

Endnote:

[1] See Douglas F. Kelley, The Emergence of Liberty in the Modern World: The Influence of Calvin on Five Governments from the 16th Through the 18th Centuries (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1992).

[shotgun]

I day dream about the "kingship of all believers" everytime I hear Queen's song: "Princes of the Universe." (It was the theme song for the TV show Highlander.)

"I have in SIDE me...BLOOD OF KINGS...I have no rival...no man can be my equal...so take me to the future of you alllllll!"

This blog is well timed, especially when it's popular among Christians today...(indeed its seen as some sort of virtue)...to decry action (of any sort) against the sins of society. (I'm reminded of R. Scott Clark's recent comments concerning a young Christian who was fired from his job for daring to speak out against his lesbian boss.)

I am a little concerned about the concept of voting (in and of itself.)

Maybe if we view voting as a sort of violent act...where the majority enforces its will on the minority via force of state (police, laws, etc.) then we can view a mass-Christian voting bloc as a sort of justified warfare. However...if we view it as some sort of peaceful political action, then it may be that we're supporting the pagan notion of mass-man, and sovereignty of the majority. Can a vote really change a legitimate law? If the only legitimate civil law is one given from Christ (or derived in some way thereof...) then how can a majority sway the truth of the law? Seems like the only law that voting changes is one with no authority other than "might-makes-right."

[RustyCarr]

Mt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Mt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mt 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Mt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Perhaps we need to be better salt in order to attract more voters inclined to vote for freedom, liberty, and justice according to the precepts of God's law.

We need another Moses to lead us out of captivity and train us for righteousness and love of family, friends, and neighbors.

[cestlavi]

Christians should also understand that the New Testament speaks of choosing their leaders by vote. Acts 14:23 reads, "And when the had appointed (word means to vote by raising of hands) elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Likewise, in 2 Corinthians 8:19 we read, "...but he (Titus)has also been appointed (word means to vote by raising of hands) by the churches to travel with us..."

[James]

cestlavi,

We must be careful when applying Scripture when it is dealing with the institution of the Church and then directly applying it to the institution of the State. This would also apply to any form of biblically based government. While it may be a valid application we need to see where Scripture instructs us to apply this also to the State.

[brosull1]

How about starting a movement called DRIP?

Don't
Reelect
Incumbent
Politicians

[Brother Les]

Our President is not elected by a direct vote of 'The People', they are 'chosen' through the process of the Electorial College. Past history has shown even if a canidatte has recieved the popular vote, does not mean he will win the 'Office'.

Right now, among other things, we can vote. If government power continues to grow and welfare programs continue to reduce citizens to dependents, the right to vote will increasingly grow more and more insignificant. Right now, we can get the attention of representatives by threatening their tenure with our vote. This is limited power, but real power. Exercise it while you can.

It is your local Representatives that control the purse strings of congress/America. they are also the most in tune with local events and should be pressured the hardest.

Call them today...now... be nice and to the point to the people that you talk to. (I got on a first name basis with the employees of my current congress person) These people are the gate keepers of what their (your) Rep sees and hears. when you have a good repore with them (your Reps employees) then your message will get through. (I have been personaly called by my rep to talk about issues.... and to campaigen for and support 'said person'.

[mgranny]

I applaud the “Evict the Congress” campaign. Excellent article.

These quotes (and many more) indicate that Christ has dominion over the princes of the earth. But how can He dominate, unless his soldiers fight for Him? I mean in the spiritual battlefield, of course. Where is the spiritual battlefield? Not in the Church, where we all agree (more or less). The real battlefield is in culture and politics, where we must fight Pagan ideas and idols.

I would like to add another perspective that—in my mind—proves that in this country all believers in the Bible have a sacred duty to get involved in civic affairs according to their best ability. I refer to the fact that the Bible urges us to obey the government of the land. The first Christians were the most law-abiding citizens, refused only to worship the tyrannical emperors as gods. Should not we, living in a constitutional, representative government, obey the law of the land?

When the founding fathers of this country set up a Constitutional Republic governed by the people and for the people, they made citizen participation the law of the land. Our “governor” is the Constitution. It is not the President or the Congress, and not even the Supreme Court, because the officials, elected by the people, must take an oath to govern according to the Constitution. This put the burden on the people’s shoulder to elect and to keep in office public servants who obey the constitution and take their oath seriously. Remember, they take their oaths on the Bible! Considering this, the “Evict the Congress” campaign is both Law-abiding and Bible-abiding.

Why doesn’t get voting any emphasis in the Scripture? Because the people did not have the right or the obligation to vote. Ancient people lived under tyranny. Early Christians represented a grass root movement in a slave-keeping society. They influenced culture and made it better through the example of their good moral behavior. But far from withdrawing from society, they infiltrated it with Christian ideas. This is still our number one Christian duty. Christians are not revolutionaries; they have born into their society and compelled to make it better, gradually and purposefully.

Our constitutional liberty is precious, because it is the product of suffering and toil of people who believed that liberty is possible under the rule of God. No Pagan society can keep liberty. The punishment of Paganism is to fall under the rule of tyrants. When Christians are hesitating to enter politics because it is “dirty,” they must remember that it is Paganism that makes it dirty. We have the duty for the sake of our descendants to make it clean. “We the People,” no less than our lawmakers and judges, must guard the constitution by obeying it. We must never-ever be spurred by spitefulness and envy, and we must never demand “benefits” from our lawmakers that are contrary to the words and spirit of this document.

[Lumberjack]

Hello ?
Dr. DeMar has repeatedly stated over the years that it is God who directly puts our political leaders in power and it is commanded by God that we obey them. Anyway that's what was taught by A. V. in the Republican era as best I recall. So, that being said, then is Obama God's" whipping boy" for a Godless nation ?
I have an idea. Just maybe God is trying to communicate to us to start training up a generation that He is able to work thru to start making Disciples of the Nations. Maybe God is starting to look for new leaders who can work together in unity who won't let religious doctrines such as cessationism divide the " Kingdom Ministries " that he raised up over 40 years ago for His purposes. Yup, you just gotta love that old " religion. "
Regards, Lumberjack

[hizonly]

Excellent summation of the reason we as Christians have an obligation to vote.

One thing i would like to stress is the principle of binding and loosing. Since I learned to bind and loose the principalities and powers in Jesus' name, I have found my prayers much more effective and on the mark. Our authority comes through our relationship to Jesus Christ, and He has given us, as His representatives, ALL power and authority. (Matthew 16:19)

I know the Scriptures tell us to pray for those in authority over us. When Obama came on the
scene, I was repelled at the thought of praying for him. The I realized that he is captive to ungodly spirits just as all unbelievers are, and that I can pray and bind those spirits that control him. When he is free of them, he will make the right decisions. Same is true of Congress. If they choose not to do God's will, they do it at their own peril. The neat thing is that we don't have to take the blame for their failure; they do that just fine themselves.

Thanks again for the great article.

[Jeff Swanson]

To Mr. McDurmon and all of you at AV thank you for focusing on these type of issues. I go to Tea Party events 1 to 2 times a month and will be going to one today. These events are not about Parties, but the issues. If you go to any of these gatherings you would be surprised how often biblical principles are discussed, how their importance is understood, and how many who attend are church members from different congregations. This is because if you don’t have a biblical view your, laws will be built on sand. It’s pretty simple 10, and not 1,900+ pages.

Our Country is in great peril because we have allowed our Government to violate so many biblical commandments.

“Thou shall not steal”. California political leaders once again showed their disdain for the electorate and have begun withholding 10% more of working people’s income to fix the budget, yet it seems to go un-noticed by most Christian leaders. This is the result of one of the two points of view by Christian leaders clearly defined in the DVD “The Debate Over The First Amendment” This was an excellent DVD. I don’t know why more Church leaders won’t address this issue, because soon their flock will have nothing left to give them.

[keepingtabs]

Lumberjack said:

So, that being said, then is Obama God's" whipping boy" for a Godless nation ?

I don't know about being a whipping boy. I do know that it is a spiritual law that nations, especially God's people, have leadership they deserve! Follow the OT history of Israel for your proof text. 2 Chr. 7:14

He's still waiting!