Elections, Public Policy and the Christian Witness

by Gabe Schlabach

The United States is three-quarters of the way through the longest presidential election cycle in history. For 14 months, candidates from both parties have bombarded U.S. residents with television and radio ads, emails and old-fashioned mailers.

For 16 months, the national media has been caught up in the constantly shifting horse race to theWhite House. It can be difficult to avoid the constant coverage of speeches, debates, quotes taken out of context, minor scandals that disappear by the next day, polls, delegate counts, vote predictions and everything else that goes along with a heated election cycle.

And it is still six months until November.

The intensity of a presidential contest can serve to highlight the ongoing debate within the Anabaptist community about the roles faith and politics should play in Christian life.

Anabaptists have long debated the theological acceptability of interacting with government. Some argue that Christians should focus exclusively on the work of the church; they allege that forays into politics are at best a diversion and at worst a direct engagement with the world (and the sword) that undermines Christian discipleship.

Others feel that some forms of advocacy and interaction with government can in fact be an expression of Christian discipleship; they contend that speaking truth to power should involve a dialogue with governments and policymakers that includes suggestions for institutional improvements.

This debate over the role of politics is significant, and should not be viewed lightly. Nevertheless, most Anabaptists can agree that any Christian approach to government interaction should be deliberate, accountable to the Christian community, and theologically rooted.

This issue of the Memo highlights public policy issues where Christian teachings and experience can help provide a unique voice to government. MCC U.S. board chair Harriet Sider Bicksler provides a reflection on Anabaptist faith and politics. Gordon Brubacher, former professor of Old Testament Studies at Messiah College, gives an overview of biblical instructions on the treatment of immigrants. Valerie Ong reports on how political advocacy and direct congregational support can complement each other to improve the situation of displaced Iraqis. Tammy Alexander writes about politically diverse, faith-based efforts to care for creation. And Zach Kaufman lays out how predatory lending targets the poor, who are least able to afford high interest rates and deceptive practices.