Stand for it and they will come!
Andre van Heerden on the set of Cloud Ten Pictures' film DECEIVED
A friend of mine recently wrote to me with some interesting observations and questions:
I have seen too many Christians who are pro-choice, pro Obama and liberal politically. Does God care how they vote? I think that this country is in trouble because the “Church” vote so liberally. A friend of mine recently went to the Dominican Republic and saw a level of poverty that this country knows nothing about. Christians in other countries, especially where it is against the law, and the church is growing.
We seem to think we have it hard but in reality we don’t. With your movies I realize that the rapture can happen any minute so I tell others how wonderful our God is. But here there is a concentration of “witnessing with our lives”. Witnessing with our lives is important but we rarely share the Gospel with someone or at least tell people how wonderful God is. If we lift Jesus up He will do the drawing.
If we strictly witness with our lives and we disappear suddenly what happens to that person that we’ve been witnessing to? I’m also not saying that all Democrats are wrong. Billy Graham is a democrat. But the church in this country is looking so much like the world. What do you think?
Great question. I think in the efforts to not offend and to appeal to everyone the Church (and I’m generalizing here) has become more of a social society rather than a place to worship and praise and learn about God and His plan for our lives.
I remember reading an article a few years back that showed the liberal churches in Canada (United Church etc.) were losing their congregations and yet the evangelical churches (who actually stood for what the Bible says) were growing. The article pointed out that such figures seemed to run contrary to what human common sense would say. Basically in their attempt to be “inclusive” and appeal to the world (ie: never say anything is right or wrong) the liberal churches were turning people away. And yet the so-called “exclusive” churches (ie: the Bible has the final word on what is right and wrong and Christ IS the way) were bringing people in. How could this be?
I think the simple answer is that people crave the truth and are created to appreciate structure and rules. No matter how attractive and easy a message might be – it’s not fulfilling if it doesn’t ring true. That’s not to say that everyone is going to eventually come to find the truth on earth – but I think that there are many who are self-deluding themselves and are unhappier for it.
I remember as a kid playing some made-up sport games. Often in those games someone would want to change the rules. And then someone would want to change another and another. Eventually basically anything was allowed and while exciting and different at first – it soon became apparent that without rules the game wasn’t nearly as fun and would ultimately lead to arguments and boredom. The rules made it challenging. The rules gave it purpose. The rules made winning actually mean something. The same principle is true with raising dogs. The happiest, healthiest dogs are those that have structure in their lives. They know what is right and wrong and they know that if they’re good they’ll be rewarded. Life is simple. Life is good.
In life, I think it’s much the same. Whether they want to admit it or not, I think people naturally crave someone to guide them – to be the “father-figure”.
How does all this play out in politics? I’m not sure but I keep thinking that if someone came forward and actually took an honest, humble, stand for what is right and true they’d gather votes like never before. Much like the church that takes a stand – with grace and love – for what the Bible stands for and gains in attendance; I think a political party or politician could do the same thing. I know I’d vote for them!
- Blog by Andre van Heerden, Executive Director/Producer at Cloud Ten Pictures
Facebook Comments
10 Comments
Leave a Response
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I am Sandy’s husband (she is in Columbia, on a mission trip.} It often occurs to me that I don’t understand how people can call themselves Christian and accept the liberal politics of our Country, and why the churches don’t feel the need to address those problems through education. Does’nt the Bible warn about being Blinded.
- Sandy Arnt Wilson (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
I agree 100%. How can you vote for someone who has views that goes against what the Bible teaches. I feel blessed to attend a church where God’s Word is taught. Anyone who does not attend such a church needs to pray for guidance to find one.
- Sherry Clark Hawk (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
That’s like saying you’re only a Christian if you’re a Republican! I don’t want to be labeled polictically, nor do I want ANY Christian church telling me how I should vote. I AM a christian!
- Robin Summers Dennis (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
@ Robin – if that statement were true, I would personally be in trouble because I am an independent – LOL! No Church tells me how to vote either, but my convictions have a lot to do with who I vote for, you can be sure of that.
- David Thrower (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
I think that if a person is a Christian and has Christian values then they should know evil and just plain WRONG when they see it. And vote against it.
- Marci Essary Noll (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
No one can tell you how to vote. However The Church should do a better job of addressing issues that The Bible is very clear about (abortion–Marriage etc.) I was very saddened to hear my Pastor say (when commenting on Prop 8–marriage amendment in CA) That it was hard for him to address this issue. What is is so hard about supporting and addressing the Church about these important issues?
- Leigh Kathleen (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
I am a christian and i voted for obama and i am prolife. I only voted for him because Mccain showed what kind of judgment he has when he picked sarah palin as his vp running mate. she has no experience in federal government and didn’t even finish one term as governor of alaska. and even now when obama passed healthcare then he comes out and says he will not do anything else for the rest of the year. you know stuff like immigration reform or anything to do with jobs or anything else period.
- Eric Leslie (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
we need to be seeking God on all decision, and vote as biblically as possible, we can not support anyone or anything that goes against God and His word. It is extremely important to do things God’s way, especially in the times we are living in.Jesus is coming soon, and we need to be busy about His business, Wow to us if He finds us sleeping spiritually. We need to be guarding our hearts and seeking our salvation with fear and trembling. So seek God in all we do including voting, don’t be afraid to not vote for any canidate, you can write in Not Qualified on the ballet. Seek God’s will in all we do. The scripture does say to ignolage Him in all your ways and He will direct your path.
- Bob Peavler(re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
I believe that America is a special country where God has shed His grace and is a beacon of hope and freedom to the world. We as Christians must be informed and vote. I did not vote for Obama and am embarassed that so many of my brethren jumped on the Obama bandwagon. We must not be ignorant of our leaders, but know what they stand for and vote accordingly. I pray that God uses the pain coming to usher in a spiritual awakening for our country.
- Susie Alio (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
No, he doesn’t care, He’s not for a political party on either side. HE’S the boss and we better remember it.
- Melany Brooks (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)