It's not Jesus Christ's Business...
by Dennis A. Dames©2002
Nassau, Bahamas


It is the prevailing view, that politics relating to the world's governments are not Jesus Christ's business. With even limited knowledge of the holy scriptures, the average citizen of the Christian societies throughout our global village- know that the son of God is not of this world as we know it.

He said it himself, yet- politicians in The Bahamas, the Caribbean and the world generally, are always campaigning on the planks of: social, political, economic and spiritual salvation._In their quest for the sweet power, politicians leave no stone unturned in building the hopes of desperate, and vulnerable people with their sugar tongues, lies and messages of false hope and security.

This phenomenon, has lead to a hopeless state of intense political bickering, back stabbing, the increase in political parties, special interest groups, fringe organizations, playing the race and ethnic cards, and nations being ripped apart by social, political and spiritual warfare. Jesus Christ wants no part in such an atmosphere of division- he said so.

It is ironic and perplexing to many in The Bahamas, Caribbean, and the Christian community at large- to see so many men and women of the cloth devoting so much of their time and efforts mingling in secular politics, while their respective communities decline steadily into a state of moral bankruptcy. Jesus Christ knew why he wanted no part in things of this world.

In the mean time, the batter of worldly politics- the states' affairs and the gospel of the great one, continue its deadly mixing._Every aspiring politician, appear to have there own message of deliverance, and salvation from all of man's pain and suffering.

So many of them have no record of social advancements, or any appealing profile- yet they dress up in their beautiful suits to approach us with the all too familiar message of: 'give me a chance, and I will surely change your world'. They appear to use God and his words to whip their opponents, who might be doing the exact thing to them. The spirit of togetherness suffers on.

Voters though, appear to be catching onto the game- and the appetite for an effective opposition and government, many feel- should not be misread as the demand for more political parties. The general election of 2002 in The Bahamas- for instance, saw that sentiment expressed loudly and clearly. Yet, so many hopeful men and women in the political arena here in the islands- are still in a state of denial.

A Bahamian pastor commented recently, that his political persuasion is constant- and has absolutely nothing to do with his salvation, and relationship with God. So, he sees no reason to change his political party of choice. Those remarks are viewed as being, right on the ball, as the churchman made a clear distinction of who he serves, and to whom he seeks his salvation. He recognizes that voting is a choice and so- is sticking until death, with his party of choice; but Jesus is his redeemer.

The season appears appropriate for separation. Those who desire to be fishers of men for the son of the most high- should render their thirst for secular power, as it means to serve all citizens according to the laws of the land and not God's. The conflict is therefore clear: Caesar versus God. It is felt that, not because one is a Christian- means he or she has a political right to impose their Christianity on the citizenry. That is not Christ like, as the father, son and holy ghost are firm believers in democracy and an individual right to choose. The garden of Eden's story- confirms that view.

The business of Jesus Christ, is the Beatitudes- and those of us who desire to live in his presence- should not compromised that which is blessed. In the mean time, we need to learn to live peacefully, lovingly and together as a group of individuals we call, a people. More political parties, and dividing the electorate of one's country into fragments- for the sake of political gain, will not help in that regard, and it is not Christian- in the eyes of many.
©2002 Dennis A. Dames
www.Bahamian.web.com

Hi Dennis, thanks for actively contributing on the best community web forum in the country!

I just read your thoughts on the issue of Jesus and His stance regarding politics etc. and thought I would give a quick reply to encourage you to evaluate your current position. First of all, we need to validate that prevailing view about that politics in not the business of Jesus. Actually, ALL of life is His business, including the Beattitudes. What Jesus said was that His Kingdom if not FROM this world; it emanates from another place; from heaven. What does this mean for us? It means that our mandate and motivation for all that we do and about is not from the world's systems of values but from His Kingdom which is from above. Do you think the all wise and all knowing creator of ALL things has something to say in the area of civil human governance (politics)? He certainly does.

Friend, I think that you are being more persuaded by right assessment of the sad state of politics and the vain use of Christ's name as cause by persons who only seek to manipulate for votes and personal power that the Biblical evidence. And thrust me, I understand how easy it is to fall into that hole.

Dennis, if you accept that the earth and everything in it, people and things, belong to God (and I know that you do), then you must also accept that He has a divine intent for everything. The governance of nations falls into this also. As Christians, we are Christ's ambassadors and have been sent into ALL the world. Some of us are sent into the world of politics, not primarily to represent people but to represent Christ and bring His influence (salt and light) to our nation. Politics in our country and in many others is in a sad condition of decay because Christians have shrunk their mandate from “go into ALL OF THE WORLD” to “go into ALL OF THE CHURCH” (church services, prayer meetings, crusades, revival services etc.) And while we are in our spiritual ghettos, the world that God loves and Jesus died for is going to hell on roller-skates.

Dennis, the blood of Jesus Christ was shed to reconcile ALL things to God, not just men and women. Yes, Jesus not only died to redeem the process of civil governance, He also has many things to say in His Word and through His servants today.

As a pastor, I shook my head when I read the comments you attributed to another pastor:

"A Bahamian pastor commented recently, that his political persuasion is constant- and has absolutely nothing to do with his salvation, and relationship with God."

I think this person is either naive or being dishonest. God counts the hair on our head. If he is interested in such an unimportant aspect of our person, does it not follow that he is interested in the more important ones like party affiliation and the person we vote for? Personally, I think party affiliation is very unwise, especially for pastors. Why should good people (an all parties have them) be penalized and bad people (and all parties have them) be rewarded just because of their party label? Sadly, some people already know that they will vote FNM or PLP or CDR or BDM in 2007 and they do not even know who the possible candidate choices will be. Clearly something is wrong with this.

So Dennis, you and I may not be called to active politics but let us encourage the Josephs, Nehemiahs, Daniels, Hananiahs, Mishaels and Azariahs of today to GO boldly into the political domain, pledging allegiance to Christ and His kingdom alone and salt that which will otherwise decay and light that which will otherwise be dark for His sake and Glory.

Then on That Day when we stand before God, He will say to all of us who were faithful to GO into our respective part of the world, "well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord!" Until then, we we all find our part of God's world to go into and light it and salt it for His Kingdom's sake!

P.S. If you have not yet done so, you might wish to read the thread started by bahres under Church Issues: "Should Christians Get Involved In Politics (http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23)". I look foward to hearing your thoughts after digesting the above.

Take care!

Hello Cedric:

It is a pleasure to be a part of this great forum, and I am pulling for your continued advancements.

The following is in response to your remarks regarding the discussion at hand, it is well put by another reader:





Reviewed by J Michael Kearney (author) 12/5/2002

Most people who use the name of Jesus, or any other cultural/spiritual icon, are usually hucksters, otherwise they'd stand on the merit of their ideas alone.

Besides, no "Christian" religion existing today is based on Christ's teachings - the Catholic Church was initially based on St Paul's ideas of what Christ taught and even that was changed over time as the Church got more and more political.

Eventually the teachings of Christ who railed against earthly authority and the poisonous, artificial hierarchy that man establishes, were transformed by a temporal Church into a pro-government, "do as your told and don't question authority" kind of preaching.

It's a shame.

During the late 19th Century Leo Tolstoy was heavily influenced by the American social reformer Henry George, who really studied Christ's teachings and advanced his original anti-government message. After "Anna Karenina" and "War and Peace" Tolstoi's books are all based on his new found Christianity - "My Confession," "The Gospels in Brief," "The Kingdom of God is Within You" etc and though he never had another literary success, Gandhi would later claim Tolstoi as one of his primary influences.

So in that sense, the 20th Century's non-violent movement for social change was started by a simple man (Henry George) who understood that the real message of Christ was, as you point out, "The kingdom of God is within us," and "Our kingdoms are not of this world."

Fine writing and right on point
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=11485

Hi Dennis:

I did not quite get it from the article you attached. The person is skeptical about Paul's letters and in so doing is sceptical about Scripture - dangerous grounds. I not only believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, I believe in its total applicability to ALL of life, hence my view that the political arena is NOT exempt from Christ's commission to us: "Go into ALL the world."

Even if J Michael Kearney is right about Paul (an he is not), the primary basis for my initial comments were and still are the things Jesus Himself taught: His followers are the light of the world (every corner) and the salt of the earth (every inch).

The above is not to deny the errors of the Catholic Church. However, the witness of the teachings of Jesus is clear: He is Lord over ALL of life, politics included.

How is that?

'He is Lord over ALL of life, politics included'.

I subscribe to that... the scriptures confirm it...

Jesus should be part of politics personally for those that are christian, but obviously for the muslims and jews, or even athiests or those that question everything, they will have their own beliefs, or non beliefs. Since we are a free nation, with freedom of speech and thought, and freedom of religion, this is why religion should not be included in politics, in general.

Originally posted by zephyr
'He is Lord over ALL of life, politics included'.

I subscribe to that... the scriptures confirm it...

dont believe everything you read! ;-)

Rory:

Everyone has a belief system. Even those who claim to have none really do; their belief is non-belief. Therefore, we all take our beliefs with us and they are reflected in all of our endeavours, politics included. In politics, politicians are free to exercise their beliefs whatever they might be and the best one wins. This is what democracy is all about. This is why I strongly advocate those who represent my beliefs (true, born again christians) to enter politics and not leave it solely to others and their varied beliefs.

Further, ALL laws reflect the belief and morality of the legislators who pass them. Therefore, it is reasonable that eveyone wants their belief represented politically, Christians, Jews, Muslims etc. And in a democracy the best one wins.

Normally those who suggest that "religion" be left out of politics are knowingly or unknowingly saying: "leave politics to the belief of non-belief." That certainly is not equitable. Everyone should seek to have representation there. Again, the best one wins.

I hope that this better makes the case for EVERYONE to try to represent what they believe in ALL spheres of life, politics included.

This is a very interesting thread. It has convinced me that religious people should be involved in politics - whatever religion you are.

Previously, I felt religion and politics should not mix. Why? Because politics seems so dirty and full of corruption. Power attracts the corrupt. BUt this may be so becuase those who are good and decent shy away from politics making the corrupt ones winners by default. If sufficient christians, muslims, hindus and other people of true faith were involved in politics and applied the golden rules, things might be better. You think?

Unfortunately, in a democracy the best does not always win. The most popular wins.

I always figured that one man and God constitute a majority.

I think the Lord must have led me to find this website. Even though I left the Bahamas 21 years ago, I have continued to follow its progress (regress?) closely. I still have family living in Nassau and Freeport and I care so much for this land which was my home for so very many years.

Until now, until finding this site, I have not found any direct connection to the islands which searched for the truth of what is going on. And of course, if I were looking for truth and the search for truth, I would today expect that it would be headed up by those who have found it: i.e. Christians who believe in the truth of Holy Scripture, in salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in the tenets of the Apostle's Creed.

It breaks my heart that such a beautiful country as The Bahamas should be so filled with corruption. It was always there, even 50+ years ago, but now it appears to be a way of life. It appears to have become an integral part of the culture. When I lived in the Bahamas, many of the men now leading the country were well-known to me. Some I worked with, some were my students. Some were indeed close friends.

As I look from a distance and wonder, "What happened?", it seems to me that the nation is now paying the price for its decision made long long ago to pursue the "Yankee dollar" in whatever way it could be obtained. We allowed gambling and gambling sydicates to come into The Bahamas; Bahamians learned the lifestyle of people who came here for a week, or two weeks, on vacation and Bahamians assumed that that lifestyle must be the norm and that is what they themselves should strive for. They did not realize that, for the most part, those tourists had saved all year long to spend those two weeks in luxury and that they would return home to live out ordinary lives as taxi-drivers, bank tellers, sales clerks or teachers in their home towns.

Bahamians wanted their slice of the pie. Bahamians are by nature (or by necessity) essentially capitalists. They want to work for themselves,not for 'the man'. Bahamians have a tremendous strength inside them. They know how to endure, especially the women. How many I knew that worked two, even three jobs to keep their children in shoes, school uniforms and food.

As I think about it, I realise that the strength of the Bahamas has always been its women. And there in lies the rest of the problem. Bahamian men have not been encouraged to be Godly men, to live their lives by Bible standards. . . .or if they have, they have been wooed away by the promise of 'easy money'.

This is such a huge topic. It cannot be discussed in one posting and I don't want to go on and on. I will write again another time.

However, I do have one question: how widely is this forum known in the islands? From what I have read, it is not. And in a way I am glad, because I sense in it a desire for purity and truth, to be free of all corruption and evil. . . .and I thank God for that.

At the moment, I would like to maintain privacy about my identity. In that way, I will feel freer to comment.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. May God bless The Bahamas.