Is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?
In 1796, the United States began it’s formation of two primary political parties — the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. It would take close to 100 years before they would evolve into the Democratic and Republican Parties we’ve come to know today. There is no denying each political party and it’s supporters have taken on various stereotypes over the decades. However, when the Scopes Trial in 1925 occurred, it would be the conflict over Evolutionary Theory which would elicit stereotypes to become less political and more religious. Since then, the Democratic Party has become more associated with secular perspectives while the Republican Party has become more associated with conservative perspectives. It would be this gradual breaking down between the separation of church and state within society which would create turmoil. Thus, leaving us in a culture which asks questions such as “Is Jesus a Democrat or Republican”?
It’s crucial to briefly understand the foundations of both the Democratic and Republican party before addressing the presented question. As stated previously, the Democratic and Republican Party developed out of preexisting parties. According to Polytechnic School, ever since the 1930’s the Democratic Party would come to represent “ an activist government approach in addressing economic problems, increased taxes, labor unions, expanded federal government, regulation of industry, and civil rights legislation.” Whereas, the Republican Party would come to represent “opposition to the expansion of the federal government, welfare, and industry regulation. ‘While’ supporting regulation of labor unions, limitations on the power of the federal government, and lowered taxes.” Nevertheless, in addition to these issues, these two parties have come to dissension over abortion, homosexuality as well as it’s connection to marriage, immigration, and governmental approaches to healthcare.
The Democratic Party in accordance with it’s views on expanded government has begun to assume ideologies from Democratic Socialism. This inevitably has resulted in much of their reasoning and intentions behind their views. They believe in the individuals freedom to choose their religion, job and whom they wish to marry (gender aside). This emphasis on freedom of choice has thus carried over into the topic of abortion as they were the political party which first supported the women’s right’s movement. However, the separation of church and state which has been established will be in conflict with both their views on abortion and marriage. The church not only believes life begins at conception, but it also believes marriage is a sacred unity between a man and a woman. Thus, when the government began to legalize abortion and marriage outside of the Bible’s intended purpose, the obscurity of the line between church and state became pronounced. However, when it comes to their view of immigration laws and governmental approaches to healthcare, while not causing issues between themselves and the church it’s begun to cause issues within the church. This not only relates back to the Democratic Party’s assumed ideologies from Democratic Socialism, but it also intertwines with the Church’s view of Christ. Hence, a source of contention between church and state is found as there are those in the Church who believe Christ would agree with the Democratic Party on these topics and there are those who believe He would agree with the Republican Party.
When it comes to the Republican Party, their ideologies are more in accordance with Democratic Capitalism. As this was the original goal of our nation once it had gained it’s independence, and would mean government would be supported by the taxes on business profits. According to Washington Times, Democratic Capitalism simply put, function like this: “All taxes depend on profits — no profits, no taxes; no taxes, no government.” Thus, the individual is able to work as he/she pleases, and they have taxes taken from their profits to sustain government services such as the Police and Fire Departments which provide help in time of need. Furthermore, when it comes to the political topics which cause division between them and the Democratic Party, they tend to be more conservative. This means while they support gender equality they do not support abortion and continue to fight it’s legalization. The same can be said for Homosexual marriage; however, like abortion while they tend to disagree with it it’s become difficult to stop as it infringes on people’s rights. Yet, when it comes to immigration and nation-wide healthcare they are vigorously pursuing restrictions. Hence, the Republican Party not only represents the original intention for our nation through their conservative approach, but in doing so has drawn Christian’s to their cause. Nevertheless, whether Christian’s support the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, both parties have contradictions with Jesus’ teachings.
Christians believe Jesus Christ is God Himself, who came down to earth not only to die as a sacrifice for our sin and resurrect, but also to provide us with an example to live. Although Jesus Christ never spoke directly to the topic of abortion, homosexual marriage or immigration, He did speak directly about the role of Christians and the government. Furthermore, even though Christ may have never said “don’t have an abortion” or “don’t marry the same gender”, the Bible is considered to be His inherent and infallible word. The Bible states the following things in regards to the topic causing conflict between the Democratic and Republican Parties:
Abortion: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:13–14
As stated already, while God does not directly say abortion is wrong, according to this passage of scripture as well as other parts of His word, life is sacred and begins at conception.
Homosexuality & Marriage: “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” — Romans 1:26–27
“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit fin everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,…” — Ephesians 5:23–33
“ But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.” — I Corinthians 7: 2–3
In scripture, Christ clearly defines not only that homosexuality is unnatural and outside of His intention for us, but He also makes it clear marriage is to be between man and a woman.
Immigration: “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” — Exodus 23:9
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” — Leviticus 19: 33–34
Similar to Abortion although not directly spoken on in the context of the United States today, Christ makes it clear that we ourselves as Christians are not only strangers to this world, but we should welcome those are strangers within the world. However, Christ also teaches on discernment and wisdom in regards to humanity. Thus, it is important to balance these both accordingly to the situation we are facing.
Capitalism & Socialism: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” — James 1:27
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” — I Thessalonians 3:10
“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” — II Corinthians 8:13–15
“ And ‘Jesus’ answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” — Luke 3:11
When it comes to Democratic Capitalism & Democratic Socialism there are no actual passages of scripture in which Christ clearly states which one is superior. In fact, neither of these forms of government or any other forms of government were intended to exist. However, due to mankind’s fallen nature into sin man-made government has become a necessity.
Government: “Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” — Mark 12:13–17
“One day the nation’s leaders came to Samuel at Ramah and said, “…Now we want a king to be our leader, just like all the other nations. Choose one for us!”Samuel was upset to hear the leaders say they wanted a king, so he prayed about it. The Lord answered: Samuel, do everything they want you to do. I am really the one they have rejected as their king. Ever since the day I rescued my people from Egypt, they have turned from me to worship idols. Now they are turning away from you. Do everything they ask, but warn them and tell them how a king will treat them. Samuel told the people who were asking for a king what the Lord had said: If you have a king, this is how he will treat you. He will force your sons to join his army. Some of them will ride in his chariots, some will serve in the cavalry, and others will run ahead of his own chariot. Some of them will be officers in charge of a thousand soldiers, and others will be in charge of fifty. Still others will have to farm the king’s land and harvest his crops, or make weapons and parts for his chariots. Your daughters will have to make perfume or do his cooking and baking. The king will take your best fields, as well as your vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his own officials. He will also take a tenth of your grain and grapes and give it to his officers and officials. The king will take your slaves and your best young men and your donkeys and make them do his work. He will also take a tenth of your sheep and goats. You will become the king’s slaves, and you will finally cry out for the Lord to save you from the king you wanted. But the Lord won’t answer your prayers. The people would not listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want to be like other nations. We want a king to rule us and lead us in battle.” Samuel listened to them and then told the Lord exactly what they had said. “Do what they want,” the Lord answered. “Give them a king.” — I Samuel 8:4–22
“All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed.” — Romans 13: 1–2
God is clear in scripture, not only in how we are supposed to relate as Christians to the government, but also government was never His intention for us. We were supposed to have one King, and it was supposed to be God Himself. So where does this leave us when looking to the answer to our question? Is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican? Well, the truth is He is neither and to insinuate or claim He is contained by man-made government is an affront to His sovereignty and Lordship. Not to mention, the only reason our government exists is because all of God’s warnings about a human king were ignored in the passage of Samuel. The colonists did not like the monarchy they were subjected to, and instead of obeying Romans 13 they chose to fight against God’s ordained authority, and as a result we are the United States of America. Then just to make things more hypocritical we put “One nation under God” in our pledge of allegiance, and “In God we Trust” on our money after directly disobeying Him.
In conclusion, the United States political system is full of chaos and contention. Yet, this is to be expected when two political parties run by fallible man try to decide what is right and what is wrong for a country. In reality, neither democrats nor republicans or any government were His choice, but rather His original intention for us was Himself as King. Nevertheless, God will allow and appoint authority to reign as He sees fit whether it is a Democrat or a Republican. So the truth is Jesus Christ is neither Democrat or Republican, and although each political party may hold values Christ taught us does not mean one or the other is God’s distinct choice. The moral of this is to not box the creator of the universe into a form of government created by imperfect humans.
Sources:
“America in the 1960's.” Digital History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2017.
“American Political Parties.” Parliamentary Affairs (n.d.): n. pag. American Political Parties. Web. 10 May 2017.
“Capitalism vs Socialism.” Capitalism vs Socialism — Difference and Comparison | Diffen. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2017.
Experts Mind IT Educational Pvt Ltd. U.S. History- the Republican Party and Two Great Trials, History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2017.
“What Is ‘Democratic Capitalism’ anyway?” The Washington Times. The Washington Times, 30 Apr. 2017. Web. 11 May 2017.
