It is hard to believe that the election was two weeks ago. Since the election I've heard the entire spectrum of responses from people who are Christ followers. Some want to withdraw and establish monasteries where they can live as believers separate from the culture - not really, but the "gist" of their conversation says this is a live option for them. Others are at the opposite point of the pendulum swing, espousing involvement in political matters to bring about change for "our side." The challenge in all of this is, as always, the task of "thinking Christianly."

Cal Tomas gives a good pattern for thinking Christianly about this in his column "Religious Right, R.I.P."  The entire column is good but the "money quote" for me is this one:

    G-d teaches in His Word that His power (if that is what conservative Evangelicals want and not their puny 
    attempts at grabbing earthly power) is made perfect in weakness. He speaks of the tiny mustard seed, 
    the seemingly worthless widow's mite, of taking the last place at the table and the humbling of one's self, 
    the washing of feet and similar acts and attitudes; the still, small voice. How did conservative Evangelicals 
    miss this and instead settle for a lesser power, which in reality is no power at all? When did they settle 
    for an inferior "kingdom"? [emphasis mine]

Charles Colson's Breakpoint offers the view of a guest columnist, Everett Piper in A One-Track Vote. The "money quote here is:

    Now a personal note: I was once much more “progressive” than I appear to be now. I was pro-choice, and 
    I used to be a lead voice for the “you can’t legislate morality” crowd. But I don’t hold this position anymore 
    for several reasons. First and foremost, I have concluded that it doesn’t make any sense. I mean this literally. 
    There is no sense—no logic, no intellectual integrity or moral consistency—in this argument. Legislation, 
    if it is nothing else, is always based on morality. Otherwise there is nothing to legislate and the entire 
    process becomes meaningless. Wilberforce, Wesley, and a host of others recognized this. At times these 
    great leaders were indeed dangerously close to “single issue voters.” John Wesley famously declared that 
    “you must be singular or be damned,” and Wilberforce, in like manner, spent decades with near tunnel 
    vision arguing to abolish slavery (because he, too, agreed that the definition of personhood was not his 
    to make and was, therefore, not “above his pay grade”).

A friend of mine, currently pastoring in Egypt, reminded me of my responsibility as a believer as he wrote in his latest blog:

    No matter what your response to the most recent elections, remember the priority of Scripture regarding 
    government. 1 Timothy 2:1-3, "I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for 
    everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness 
    and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." Romans 13:1, "Everyone must submit himself 
    to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The 
    authorities that exist have been established by God." 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17, "Submit yourselves for the 
    Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 
    or to governors, … Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, 
    honor the king." Prov 21:1, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He 
    turns it wherever He wishes." Our hope is in God and not in man.

In case these don't stir your soul and stimulate your mind, you can try cuing up this version of Battle Hymn of the Republic, sent to me recently by a friend.

Enjoy!