Debate Prep

On October 6, 1774, John Wesley (who along with his brother Charles were the founders of the Methodist movement) wrote the following in his journal:

I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:

1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy

2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and

3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

I have witnessed Christians across the political spectrum who would struggle to live up to these expectations. If I am honest, I have struggled to many times to follow Wesley’s advice!

Let’s briefly discuss some challenges presented with these admonitions.

More and more, I find myself not enthusiastically voting “for” one candidate but rather voting “against” another. It seems as though we have fewer and fewer candidates who are worthy of the office for which they are running. Running for public office has always been an arduous process. But, it does seem as though the scrutiny is more intense that it has ever been. I suspect this keeps folks who might otherwise consider serving from throwing their hat in the ring.

We have a responsibility to hold accountable elected officials. We have to work hard to level objective criticism without demonizing those with whom we disagree. This is one of the disciplines for which Christians absolutely must hold ourselves to the highest possible standards. We must model civil discourse while not compromising our personal convictions.

During tonight’s debate, social media, particularly Twitter will turn toxic. Emboldened in part by the relative anonymity of the platform, people will spew anger and hate 280 characters at a time.

How should we prepare?

We should pray. (I plan to write more about prayer in a later post)

We must resist the temptation to vilify and demonize.

Remember that regardless of the outcome of a debate or an election, God is still God.