CLASH OF THE STORIES

I was deeply distressed.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of representing our national organization, Adult & Teen Challenge, at the National Prayer Gathering in Washington D.C. Encountering people from all over the world expressing a sincere love for Jesus, some of distinction and high standing in government office, was most encouraging.

I attended the annual Prayer Breakfast and was excited to be in the presence of several dignitaries, including the most powerful man in the world. I am guessing that my table was about one hundred and fifty feet from center stage. My ears perked up when I heard the announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.” All three thousand of us rose to our feet, clapped our hands, and eagerly awaited for him speak.

What I heard for the next hour and seventeen minutes, however, was unsettling.

Braggadocios, polarizing, irreverent, and juvenile, the litany uttered by our president caused me great embarrassment. This is our national leader. He is the face of our beloved country. And I was perplexed at how many of my fellow brothers and sisters of the faith applauded him (sometimes scattered, other times concentrated) at several points in his speech. The fact that his vindictive comments, insults, and pettiness evoked enthusiastic response–rather than lament–was even more embarrassing.

And troubling.

No, this is nothing new. No one in recent times has been more vocal, blatant, and forthright that the current president (at least we know his positions, a far cry from his predecessor.) What was new for me was the experience of it—live, raw and uncensored, “unspun” by any media outlet. Pinch myself, I was there, flesh and blood Jeff Bonzelaar present.

I have been apolitical my whole life. This is certainly not a virtue per se. While I vote, pay my taxes, pray for our leaders, and engage in other civic duties, other priorities have captured my attention and directed where I have invested my time, energy, and resources. Please understand me: I am deeply grateful to be a citizen of the United States. I am also grateful for those who serve in public office and defend this country in the various branches of our armed forces. But my ultimate loyalties lie with another kingdom, another King.

I am a Christian above all else. Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. To him I owe my allegiance.

All that said, in the wake of my little episode, I was swimming in emotion for the next two weeks, trying to grapple with all this as a professing Christian. The clash of stories in that banquet hall on that Thursday morning could not have been more cataclysmic. On the one hand, there is the story of weakness, suffering, generosity, and forgiveness. It is the story I have been seeking to narrate my life by the last fifty years. The essence of that story is about doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly. The other story, represented by our Head of State and Government, is one of power, violence, and greed. It thrives on calling people names, boasts about being the most indicted person in history, and depreciates human life with off-handed remarks like, “I don’t like sleeping on planes. You know, I like looking out the window and watching for missiles and enemies actually.”

How do I reconcile biblical texts such as, “Submit yourselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except what God has established” (Rom. 13:1) and “Show proper respect to all men . . . (including) honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:19) with others which seem to say the very opposite, “We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29) and “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mt. 22:21)? What am I to make of John the Baptist calling out King Herod and getting his head chopped off (Mk. 6:14 ff.) and Jesus himself (“Mr. Meek & Mild”) referring to Herod as a “fox” (Lk. 13:32). Or John the Revelator certainly not turning a blind eye to the corrupt Babylon-like government of his day and denouncing it in piercing, apocalyptic language? How am I to understand God’s sovereignty and humankind’s freedom of will? Is this man in the White House by God’s doing? Man’s doing? Is he God’s chosen vehicle of blessing, or is he the consequence of our sin? Bottom line: What does it mean for me to be a Christian as an American citizen?

I know, selecting a pastor or Bible teacher is very different from electing a president or choosing a doctor or mechanic. While being a Christian may be desirable in the latter case, it is not at the top of the list of necessary requirements for performing surgery, fixing a car, or leading a nation. I know that with many elections, our choices are terribly limited. The hubris, avarice, divisiveness, and meanness bleeds both red and blue. Sometimes we are left to decide upon the least worst of candidates. I also know that for some voters, it all boils down to one issue (whether or not one likes the candidate). It is complicated. We all have our reasons, and we dare not judge each other. Some would say I am confusing person with policy. But for the life of me, I do not understand how anyone—especially the one who holds the highest office in our land—can get a free pass on matters of basic character, principle, and decency just because he promotes a conservative platform.

I am not a political pundit. I am a pastor. I have tried to stay in my lane these forty years. I would never want to bring harm to the ministry I represent or much more, the gospel of Jesus Christ. But I cannot sit passively on the sidelines and resume “business as usual.” I worry about the next generation–what they see modeled–not only at the top of the ladder but what they see from us (those of us who identify as Christ-followers). Do our attitudes, behaviors, and reactions to current events and leaders reflect the character, values, and commitments of God’s kingdom? Do they observe gracefulness in us (not spinelessness)? I have to say and do something. That is not only my moral duty as a citizen; it is my obligation as a follower of Christ.

Some might say I am mixing personal faith with politics and the way that game is uniquely played. But I cannot separate my identity as a Christian from how I approach politics any more than how I approach business, economics, entertainment, education, family, and the like. If the story of Christ is true and worthy of our deepest loyalties, it is meant to encompass and govern every dimension of our lives.

There are no easy answers to many of the questions. In fact, many thoughtful, devoted Christians come out on different sides on various issues. All the same, many regrettably give little thought to these matters (I have been guilty) and simply capitulate to self-interest and/or the closest bandwagon to them. I warn you: Any serious reflection will lead to tension. There is no getting around that. Christ does not bring relief; he brings holy distress! The cross of Christ–the heart of the Christian story and the template for Christian living–is the Great Divider. To paraphrase the Apostle Paul, it is utter foolishness and weakness to the wise and mighty, but to those who are being saved, it is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

Of course, we are not the first to have to wrestle with these things; nor will we be the last. Christians throughout the ages have had to work through the implications of their faith in relationship to their obligations to the State. The question for those of us who profess fidelity to Christ is, it seems: Will the Christ-Story rule our lives? If so, How is this Story to impact our lives?

Our security and hope are not finally found in any government or leader. The good news is that Christ decisively defeated the principalities and powers two thousand years ago and is coming back a second time–not to destroy the world but to rescue it from all the dark forces that hold it hostage to sin, Satan, and death–but to wrap things up, reconciling all things to himself, righting all wrongs, redeeming systems and structures, governments and powers, and bringing all things into subjection under him, filling every crack and crevice of the cosmos with his glorious presence. The Story ends, as John reminds his readers living in a very hostile, anti-god climate, with all the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord and Christ and the Lamb of God reigning forever and ever (Rev. 11:15). Hallelujah!

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!