As I began reading Brian Chilton's recent article, I was intrigued by the basic premise:
"As a Christian, my concern with government's growth is not merely economic. As government grows larger, it crowds out church and family. As we become more accustomed to government meeting our needs, it becomes easier to engage in the illusion that government, and not God, is our provider and refuge."
This paragraph expresses a sentiment which I share: that regardless of intentions, government ultimately offers that which God alone can provide. Governing forces will always lurch toward grabbing an increasing quantity of power and control. This is the reason why libertarian thinkers (like the Founding Fathers) oppose big government--the corruption of power will lead to oppression if the state grows unrestrained.
As I continued reading, I expected this to be the thesis of the article. It turned out to be the anti-thesis. Later in the article, Chilton states, "if this President, as with Joseph, wants to spend money on a project while acknowledging God's direction and role, then he has my support."
The author treads on thin ice at this point by giving President Bush a pass on judgment regarding rapidly increasing government spending. Simply because the President invokes God as the inspiration for his policies, Christians should not so quickly pledge their support. Yes, God led Joseph to administer the governmental affairs of Egypt during a great famine. Is this sufficient reason to believe that God is leading President Bush in a similar fashion? Making an intellectual leap-of-faith like this only adds fuel to the raging belief that Christians (especially Evangelicals) are mindless, right-winged sheep.
What is truly needed is dialogue on the appropriate role of government versus private charitable organizations (like churches) for providing social services. When President Clinton presented "nation building" plans, or new social services, most Evangelicals cried foul. If these policies were inappropriate under that president, they are inappropriate under any president.
Perhaps the President invokes his belief in God in order to solidify the support of a large constituency. Maybe he truly believes he is being led by God. This should not influence a thinking Christian when deciding whether to support or oppose a particular policy. Instead, let's choose whether or not to support President Bush's policies based on biblical principles, steadfast prayer, internal consistency, logic, merit, opportunity cost, budgetary constraints and/or economic considerations.
If invoking the name of God is all it takes for the President to garner the support of Christians, then we have truly lost our way.
Brian S. Chilton: Does God believe in government spending?
Posted by Jeff at February 5, 2004 08:00 AMJeff:
I enjoyed reading your critique of my essay on government spending. I think the reason I am willing to credit Bush's stated reasons for "nation building" as following a specific direction by God is simply because I believe him when he says that is where he takes his direction. I certainly do not support all spending proposed by George Bush (e.g., the ridiculous Medicare increase) as directed by God's will merely because Bush professes a personal faith in Christ. Stated another way, I do not equate every Christian's will and actions as being the same as God's will. Similarly, if I thought Bush was merely invoking God's name as a fig leaf, but that Bush was seeking to implement his own rather than God's will, then I would also feel differently, and not support the President, because I do not think God's will is something to be lightly or falsely invoked. Indeed, I think that one of the chief dangers a Christian leader faces is too easily equating their own will with God's. Since we are sinful creatures, even after being saved by grace, my presumption in my own life is to constantly test things I am doing that I think are God's will, to make sure I have not too easily or conveniently allowed my will to drown out what was really a contrary direction from God. I cannot think of which theologian said it, but he said that an important part of the process of finding God's will is to eliminate one's own will from one's thoughts. I try to follow this, sometimes with success, sometimes not, and I hope the President does the same.
Anyway, thanks again for the comments.
Brian