TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week we began this series about navigating politics as followers of Jesus. So far we have learned that God’s people need to be people of wisdom. We should not join in with the hysterical emotionalism of our culture. Rather, we should be informed with facts and vote for biblical values. Instead of focusing on the personality of candidates, we should look at their policies and where they stand on moral issues. ‌ Series Overview: 1. Wisdom vs Chaos 2. Pick Your Poison 3. What Now? 4. King & Kingdom ‌ James 1:5–8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ‌ The Bible and Politics: The Bible does not tell anything about democracy and voting because those concepts did not exist at the time. However, the Bible does tell us how to identify good and evil and what we should/should not support. ‌ The Problems with Politics: All elections are a choice between two sinners. Politics are driven by money and corruption. Politicians and the media lie without consequences. Morality is decided by funding, feelings, and polls. The Problem in this Election: The focus is on personality and emotionalism. Christians need to focus on morality and policy. ‌ Isaiah 5:20–23 “20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! 22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!” ‌ Moral Issues ‌ Abortion: ‌ Democrat — Abortion should be unrestricted and funded by taxes without any religious exemptions. ‌ Republican — Abortion should at least be restricted to certain situations and should not be funded by taxpayers. ‌ LGBTQ Ideology: ‌ Democrat — Supports taxpayer funded drugs and surgeries for gender reassignment for minors, illegal immigrants, and prisoners. Supports biological males in women’s sports, locker rooms, bathrooms. Supports LGBTQ agendas in public schools. ‌ Republican — Disagrees with the democrat view, but has had little success in correcting these practices. ‌ Free Speech: ‌ Democrat — Supports hate speech laws which label certain statements as criminal. Supports restrictions for online speech and viewpoints. ‌ Republican — Free speech is foundational to a free society. Freedom of speech cannot exist without allowing speech we don’t like. ‌ Religious Freedom: ‌ Democrat — Supports religious freedom as long as one’s religion does not conflict with abortion and LGBTQ agendas. ‌ Republican — Supports protections for individuals and businesses from being forced to provide services in violation of their faith. ‌ Other Issues ‌ Economy: ‌ Democrat — Create additional taxes, expand the IRS, add more regulations for climate change, fund wars and aid in foreign countries, and increase dependence on on welfare. ‌ Republican — Many (not all) Republicans say they want to limit government spending and taxes. However, many support war because of financial benefits to defense contracts. ‌ Immigration: ‌ Democrat — Supports mass immigration, taxpayer funded benefits and voting rights for illegal immigrants. ‌ Republican — Supports legal immigration and strict laws against illegal immigration. Does not support benefits and voting rights for illegal immigrants. ‌ The Bottom Line Christians should never vote for policies that God calls evil. Often this means we may have to vote for candidates we don’t like in order to defeat the candidates who want to increase evil. ‌‌ Next Week: What now?