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A Key Component

A few years back, I was trying to understand what made people think so differently. This primarily had to do with "liberalism vs. "conservativism." Here we are moving toward an election that, for the time being, will decide whether or not we will be governed by the more liberal or, the more conservative. There is a difference. It is also true in the religious realm. There are some conservative and some liberal in their approach to the things of God. They are worlds apart in essential aspects of their belief system. By understanding what divides us, I became aware of a critical component that was true in both the political realm and the spiritual realm. In both instances, it boils down to the founding document.

Let's start with politics. Through blood, sweat, tears, and prayer, our founding fathers put together a document that would guide our country's course, then and into the future. It was called the "Constitution." Throughout history, it has always laid down the principles by which this country was governed. Even though the world, as they knew it, has changed drastically, it contained the principles and insights that could continue to guide the nation's course. That is how conservatives view it. A liberal or maybe more appropriate term would be "progressive" and sees it from a different perspective. That was then, and this is now, and things have indeed changed. How could this old document as written be relative to the world we now live in? We must adapt and change. I could argue both cases were it not for the fact that I believe that God gave to our constitutional framers' insight and wisdom into what would stand the test of time.

All this is basically true in the spiritual realm. God gave mankind a document. This document can be called many things, but we know it best by the word "Bible." It was given by God to tell us about Him, how to relate to Him, and how we should live. Hebrews 1:1, God spoke long ago through the prophets. II Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Those who have a conservative approach believe that the Word of God is just as real and vital now as it was when it was written. We are told that God does not change, so why should we change what He tells us. The liberal, on the other hand, would say that it is not relevant and must be tossed out or altered to fit the times. We interpret God as we desire and not as He is revealed in the Bible.

What we believe about our political world, or what we believe about God is primarily decided by what we believe about the documents. They are key. You must determine what you will think about each. Your vote will be the outcome of what you decide in the political realm, and how you live your life will reveal what you believe about God and His Word.

Pastor Lynn Rettig

Musselshell Community Bible Church