Dear Friends,
For many here in the U.S. it’s probably too late to send this post out, since the polls in most states opened at 7:00 a.m. and many of you will have voted before ever seeing this when they close at 8:00 p.m. Yet, I still felt it was worth sharing. It’s an article that focuses on the advice which the well-known 18th century evangelist, John Wesley, gave to his followers in the face of a less than charitable political election in his day. Wesley had been preaching in some small English towns near Bristol, England, where a very contentious election for Parliament was about to take place later that October in 1774. The chief candidates were Edmund Burke and Henry Cruger, who differed in their political ideologies, their positions on the American colonies, and issues regarding the religion and the church.
Wesley’s comments to his followers are still worthy of our consideration today, along with the comments of Dr. Matt O’Reilly who expounds on them in this article entitled, “John Wesley on Voting (and American Politics)” which was written in 2018. Enjoy.
“To state the obvious, American politics are polarized. That polarization has cultivated a lack of civility. That incivility has resulted in both sides demonizing the other and, at times, engaging in acts of violence. When citizens begin engaging in violence against political opponents, their society is in danger. A republic cannot be maintained without debate marked by civility and charity.
How to Vote
The temptation to speak evil of those with whom we disagree politically is not new. John Wesley was concerned about it in the 18th century. And he had some wisdom for the people called “Methodists” as they considered the candidates for whom they would vote… Wesley had three points to keep in mind, which he recorded in his journal from October 6, 1774.
He wrote: “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy:
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against:
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
For many here in the U.S. it’s probably too late to send this post out, since the polls in most states opened at 7:00 a.m. and many of you will have voted before ever seeing this when they close at 8:00 p.m. Yet, I still felt it was worth sharing. It’s an article that focuses on the advice which the well-known 18th century evangelist, John Wesley, gave to his followers in the face of a less than charitable political election in his day. Wesley had been preaching in some small English towns near Bristol, England, where a very contentious election for Parliament was about to take place later that October in 1774. The chief candidates were Edmund Burke and Henry Cruger, who differed in their political ideologies, their positions on the American colonies, and issues regarding the religion and the church.
Wesley’s comments to his followers are still worthy of our consideration today, along with the comments of Dr. Matt O’Reilly who expounds on them in this article entitled, “John Wesley on Voting (and American Politics)” which was written in 2018. Enjoy.
“To state the obvious, American politics are polarized. That polarization has cultivated a lack of civility. That incivility has resulted in both sides demonizing the other and, at times, engaging in acts of violence. When citizens begin engaging in violence against political opponents, their society is in danger. A republic cannot be maintained without debate marked by civility and charity.
How to Vote
The temptation to speak evil of those with whom we disagree politically is not new. John Wesley was concerned about it in the 18th century. And he had some wisdom for the people called “Methodists” as they considered the candidates for whom they would vote… Wesley had three points to keep in mind, which he recorded in his journal from October 6, 1774.
He wrote: “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy:
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against:
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
Don’t sell your vote. Don’t speak evil of your opponents. Keep a generous spirit toward those who disagree with you. Three essential elements of healthy and constructive political engagement.
Can the Church lead?
What is perhaps most tragic is that the demonization of political opponents has been perpetuated by many in the Church. And this is true on both sides of the aisle. Christians on the left and Christians on the right have both participated in less than charitable tactics and speech in the effort to advance their political views and agendas. Rather than leading the way in robust political discourse, the Church has sadly participated in the degradation of healthy debate.
Love your (political) enemies.
Wesley’s three points are only an application of Jesus’ command to “love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44). It is absolutely impossible to obey our Lord’s command to love your enemies and, at the same time, speak evil and sharpen your spirit against political opponents. That is not to suggest we avoid political debate. Rather, it is to avoid unhealthy shouting matches in order to make space for rigorous, yet charitable, political debate. Detest is not synonymous with debate. To the contrary, it’s actually quite difficult to debate people we detest. What we need is political discourse that is thoughtful, clear, and charitable, all the while taking the points on which we diverge with the utmost seriousness.
My prayer is that we have not gone too far down the path of incivility. Perhaps we can repent and return to political debate that honors God and one another. Perhaps the people of God can even lead the way.”
Regardless of how negative (and sometimes mean-spirited) elections in the U.S. have become (one need only consider the television advertisements, unsolicited brochures that come in the mail, and the polarizing content posted on social media platforms generating fear, anxiety, and even hate), they do not exempt believers from the call to be different. To honor God by exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit, avoiding slander of all kinds (something condemned 23 times in Scripture), speak the truth (without exaggeration or misinformation) in love, and model the kind of respect, decency, and civility toward others, that we would hope they would show us – even in disagreement.
Whether we like it or not, there will always be disagreement between earnest Christians regarding who should be elected to office, because we all evaluate the issues, or the candidates, or the parties, with differing forms of measure (both subjective and objective). And in doing so we often use different biblical verses to shore up our reasons for those choices. Wesley’s own father left the family in the lurch for an extended time because he and his wife Susanna disagreed politically!
So, the question is: Can we still keep Christ as Lord of our hearts, emotions, words, and responses, even if the candidate we vote for loses? Better yet, can we do it even if they win – since gloating is also a form of pride and sin!
Living in His All-sufficient Grace, Pastor Jeff
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