Was That Really a "Presidential" Debate?

Many of you tuned in last night to the first of three debates for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 2020.  As someone who has a background in debate, I have to admit that I found the whole spectacle a bit disappointing. 

Policy platforms aside, the amount of interrupting, cross-talking, name-calling, mud-slinging, dodging the questions, and political posturing left very little oxygen left in the room for anyone to make any sense of what either actually stands for politically.

I’ve competed in debate at the collegiate level, I’ve coached debate at the high-school level, and I can confidently say that what happened last night wasn’t a debate.

It was, however, an illustration of the state of our country and our world.

As a pastor, it is not my place to tell the congregation how they (you) should or should not vote.  In my own mind, the options are clear, given the platforms that the two political parties advocate. 

But, as a pastor, it is my responsibility to point out that last night’s debate illustrates well why we cannot put our trust in earthly political leaders.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” (Psalm 146:3 ESV)

We should absolutely pray for our political leaders.  We should ask God to give them wisdom and ask the Lord to help them govern justly.

But we can’t ask them to do what only Christ can do.

As I lay in bed, reflecting on the “debate,” I began to wonder what was happening to the country that I love.  Then the Lord began to help me see that I ought to be wondering about why I would have expected anything different in this fallen world.

These are just men.

As much as Trump wants to, he cannot “make America great.”  Only the Lord can do that because only the sinless Son of Man knows what true “greatness” looks like.

As much as Biden hopes, he cannot “build back better,” because the scriptures tell us that if the Lord doesn’t build the house, the laborers labor in vain.

Even if this is the best the world has to offer us in terms of leadership, it is still just the best this world can give us, and that pales in comparison to what God has for us.

We can, and should, vote our consciences, endeavoring to align our civic privilege and duty of electing our leaders with the principles of a kingdom we have not yet received.  Yet we must remind ourselves that we have not received that kingdom.

I am reminded of something I learned early in my walk with Christ.  The first pastor I ever knew as a believer was someone I deeply admired.  He was an excellent orator, a compelling and insightful teacher, and a visionary leader.  He was also removed from the ministry when he disqualified himself through sin.

As I worked through that sense of loss years ago, I learned that much of my disappointment was due to my misplaced admiration. 

He was just a man.

There is a Perfect Leader.  His Name is Jesus.

His is the Name above all names, and His leadership will never fall short.

My pastoral advice for the 2020 election boils down to this.

Study what each of the candidates proposes for the next four years.

Then study your Bibles.

Vote your conscience.

Trust in Jesus.

Keep safe, be well, and stay encouraged.

Brian