This year will be counted among other historical firsts, as our first Black President of the United States of America recently came out in favor of same-sex marriage. Not only that, it appears that the Democrat Party will also make history by making same-sex marriage a part of its national platform. This is a disturbing turn of events; but what disturbs me even more, is the reaction I get from many black clergy who try to justify their support for Obama. They say that they are not “one issue” voters. In other words, they may disagree with Obama on this one issue; but are willing to stand in support of him on a host of others. For them in the political landscape of problems currently confronting our nation, they view same-sex marriage as just another issue amidst a host of others—with the most important issue being the economy.
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Unfortunately, as hard as I might try I do not see any basis for this argument in the Bible. The Bible never downplays homosexuality. So why would Pastors, or ministers of the gospel, who in theory know the Bible take such an unbiblical stance? The Bible is clear that homosexuality is prohibited (Lev 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; I Cor. 6:9; I Tim. 1:10). The argument regarding “one issue voting” is a secular tactic used to both draw Christians away from defending their beliefs on the basis of moral principle; to instead focus on issues of economic concern, which give priority to problems based particularly on a humanistic point of view. Consequently, issues such as abortion, homosexuality, dysfunctional families, and even education take a back seat to economics.
However, I have news for my colleagues in ministry—this attitude flies in the face of sound biblical teaching. We are supposed to be “one issue voters.” The problem is we haven’t figured out which issue because we “can’t see the forest for the trees”. In other words, we’ve been taught to look at each individual issue by weighing it against another issue, and then coming to a conclusion based on what is the best for “us as a people”. Again, unfortunately this is unbiblical. There is no indication from Scripture that we are to look out after our own interests based on our skin color or economic status. To the contrary, in Luke 12:22-32 we are exhorted that our concern should be for the Kingdom of God.
Let me make this plain. The one issue that should concern us as followers of Jesus Christ is how does our vote, or support of a candidate, advance the Kingdom? How are the biblical values and principles we say we believe in reflected in the candidate we support? God cannot be pleased that so many clergy have openly rejected His statues and laws regarding homosexual practice in exchange for black pride or economic gain. For clergy and professed Christians to support President Obama after he has rejected clear biblical teaching is to work at cross-purposes with the Holy and Living God. It is frankly idolatry, in every sense of the word.
Of course, in order to stand for biblical principles assumes knowledge of what those principles are. The clearest declaration of Jesus’ ministry here on earth is given in Luke 4:18 when Jesus takes the Isaiah Scroll and announces his ministry to “preach good news to the poor”, “Proclaim freedom for the prisoner, recovery of sight to the blind, release to oppressed”, and “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” As you can see, none of this involves government programs, at least until Jesus returns. In fact, it was government that had many of the people “oppressed”. Subsequently, it was during the rule of foreign government control over Israel, that the Kingdom of God interrupted the kingdom of men to bring salvation and release. Hence, there is nothing in this verse (or the entire book of Luke) that points to economics as our problem. In fact, Luke says that the want for money is a problem. In the “Parable of the Sower”, Jesus indicates that those seeds sown among the thorns (Lk 8:14 NIV) are choked out because of “life’s worries, riches and pleasures”, and never mature.
Our vote should reflect kingdom principle knowing that economic issues are merely by-products of social ills. If we’d do what is “right” before God, all our economic issues would begin to fade away. If we would stand up and defend the natural family against divorce, perversion, redefinition and exclusion of fathers, and other social issues, we would begin to see less crime, fewer out of wedlock children, fewer abortions, less poverty, healthier habits and stronger, more intact, families. In other words, if we did what God says we are to do and not listen to secular opinion or the ramblings of jack-legged preachers, we’d be better off and we’d reflect the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.
The truth of the matter is, that neither Obama nor Romney adheres to traditional Christianity. Obama interprets Scripture for his own gain; while Romney’s faith is based on another set of writings and teachings other than the Bible. In my opinion, as a biblical scholar, neither one is a Christian (true believer, or follower of Christ). As long as Mormons hold to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price they will never be considered Christians. Neither will Obama who comes from a tradition that only recognizes parts of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Black Liberation Theology is not biblical Christianity. Therefore, this election is not about who is more Christian, we are not electing a pastor but a president. The question for believers is, who most closely represents our biblical principles and values. In this election it has to be, Mitt Romney. Bottom line, although I may disagree with Mormon teachings and its stance on a number of issues, Mitt Romney is “right on” when it comes to marriage, family, abortion and a host of other social and economic issues.
The question thus remains: Will Black clergy and Black professing Christians support a Black President who publicly defies the command of God; or will they support a man who may not share their faith, but definitely shares their values on social issues? What we choose will determine where our heart is (Luke 12:21, 34). In our household, we are proud to be “one issue voters.” We have unashamedly resolved, no matter the outcome, to vote in support of Kingdom values and principles. Heaven help us, if we ever veer from that objective.
