No, the links are okay. The issue here is whether believers actually HAVE a place in the political process as it now exists, since (a) it entangles them in the passing affairs of a doomed world, taking their focus off of Christ our Head, (b) even marginal involvement beyond voting inevitably ties them in common cause with those who hate Christ or who are religious but lost, and (c) it seems so very easy to be compromised or corrupted by it, if one actually becomes involved in the process itself.
I used to say it's a matter of liberty under grace, and that is still true. But what politics has become...and perhaps always has been...runs counter to what the apostle Paul warned us against, as Heir pointed out. But it's open for discussion.
But one thing is beyond question: this whole system will grow worse, and it will ultimately be erased in the outpoured wrath of God. As unique as America is (was), it will not be exempt.
Agreed.
Being in the world, but not of the world seems like a key. I see all of your points if we play the game, so to speak, by the game's rules. If you want to win in politics, you have to ally with people with some similar agendas even though you may find them or their other agendas repugnant. You have to compromise and "play nice" with enough people to gain a majority.
But Jesus refused to play by the established rules. When the Pharisees came to him with a trap between option 1 or option 2, he gave them option 3, putting a lie to the tired refrain that if you don't vote for 1 you are by default voting for 2.
John the Baptist had no vote, but had a powerful witness to Herod. There's a place for the Church, apart from our individual vote, in witnessing to all the parties of their shortcomings and sounding a call toward something better. Once we've decided to win on earthly terms, however, we cease being a witness to a portion of the system, which means we cease being a witness to all.
It's really a test of faith. Do we believe that we can pursue righteousness with out compromise and let God worry about the results, or do we need to get practical and make sure God doesn't lose the country.
