Justice, Politics & the Gospel

Tomorrow Ontarians will go to the polls (except for those who voted in advance polls & those who for a variety of inadequate reasons refuse to vote). 

DISCLAIMER: I am not now nor ever have been a member of a political party (although I was tempted to join the Rhino Party). I have voted Liberal, Conservative (in more than one version), NDP (I am one of 8 people who admit they voted NDP in Ontario in 1990) and Green.

This is a tough election to figure out who to vote for, or vote against, which is the typical Canadian way of voting. There is a clear difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives - neither of which are an option I like.

No matter what you think of political games and the accusations of corruption by whatever political party, human nature being what it is, we will be likely be in a similar place at the next election.

Justice and caring for those who on the edge of society is an important part of what the church is called to. Part of that involves the transformation of systemic structures that cause oppression. Part of that means working with political systems, including building bridges across political boundaries. There are men and women with hearts toward God of all political stripes.

But the reality of knowing the gospel and knowing people, is knowing that there are always new ways of distorting justice and causing more oppression.

And so as we work towards justice in our world, we want to be clearly and solidly rooted in the transformation of the person because of the gospel of Jesus. It is in him that we find life.

I won't tell you how to vote: Conservative, Green, Liberal, NDP (those are the only parties running in my riding) or the other option of declining your ballot; but I will remind you that Scripture calls us to pray for those in places of authority in our world.