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VIEWPOINT
Cars, politics and Christianity

D.P. Thiessen

“It’s Stockwell all the way. He’s the man!” The grade 12 student, a Christian among non-Christian classmates, almost winks at me as she personally campaigns before the students’ mock vote in history class. Her look tells me that she is doing her part as a Christian. She knows that I, too, am a Christian, and smiles.

At noon, while on hall supervision, another grade 12 student returns to the subject, claiming that Stockwell Day will set the country back by bringing up an abortion debate. Her Christian classmates look to me for a reply. Their look seems to say, “You are not going to let this one by, are you? As a Christian, you must support Mr. Day.”

Before opening prayer at a deaconate meeting, a deacon expresses concern about the treatment that Mr. Day is receiving in the media. We need to support him. Of course, we pray sincerely for him. But am I to vote for him too? Because he is a Christian should that mean that we as Christians are to unitedly deliver a block of votes for the Alliance party? How do we vote when a candidate for local, provincial or federal politics is gay? Do we then, as a block, vote against that candidate?

With two teenagers in the house and the church a 20-minute drive from our home, it was becoming obvious that our household needed a second vehicle. I shopped and I prayed. I test drove and I prayed. I thought and I prayed for the right car. It came down to a choice between a larger one with four-wheel drive and one with a very economical engine. “Which one, Lord? I am purchasing this with money You have given to me. Which one?”

I waited and I prayed. I waited and I prayed more. Finally, I received an answer – one I did not expect, one similar to the one Job received. It sounded something like this: “I am God. I made the universe. I made you. Do you really think your vehicle choice will make a difference? I can make either one a good choice or a bad one. Believe in Me.” That was humbling. He is a powerful God. I had somehow forgotten.

What does this story have to do with Christians in politics? Everything. God is a powerful God and, “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). Do we believe that? Do we know God’s plan for this country? Is Stockwell Day to be in power or in opposition at this time? Could God make any person a good leader by using the people around him or her, by using circumstances, by using the media? How do we vote? I voted in a way similar to the way I chose my second vehicle. I looked at each party’s policies on the poor, foreign aid, the environment, business, taxation and crime. I looked at the integrity and honesty of the leader. I looked at how well the local representative would represent me. I chose the candidate that I thought would make Canada a society that God would want.

I am a Christian teacher in a public school. That does not make me a good teacher. There are non-Christians with solid moral values who motivate students in ways that I could only do in my dreams. What would happen if we were to elect teachers? Would we look at their Christianity or at their skills?

I do not put my faith in Stockwell Day or Jean Chrétien. My faith is in God. He will not let me down.

D.P. Thiessen lives in Rocanville, Sask.

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Last modified January 11, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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