This is a provocative question that seems to be just under the surface for many Americans even those who no longer claim the mantle of Christianity. The real question seems to be who holds the moral high ground?
The purpose of political parties - particularly Democrats and Republicans - is to control government and governance on all levels. Which one best embodies Jesus?
Cognitive Scientist George Lakoff described the Democratic Party as maternal and the Republican Party as paternal. He wrote several books detailing Republicans as the metaphorical father, suggesting that Democrats needed to really push their contrasting position as the metaphorical mother to win the hearts and minds of Americans. Which would Jesus be? Democrat? Or Republican?
I happen to think that Lakoff tapped into to a deeply held contemporary American conception of the role of government. Americans in the 21st century seem to agree almost universally that government's proper role is a parent that grants and restricts the rights and freedoms of Americans. The question is: "Is this the founders' conception of the proper role of government?" More importantly, is this the proper Christian concept of government?
Consider first, Christian authority of governance. The gospel of John 14 offers an alternative conception that maybe we are called to be Christlike adults who treat others as we would like to be treated. This seems to point to governance as an internal process fulfilled by individuals in Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the truth, the way, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
John 14:12 -14 12 further elaborates:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 if you ask me, anything in my name, I will do it."
Adults can call for God's mercy and grace to fulfill this commandment to love their neighbors as themselves.
Christianity does not seem to claim a necessity for government by force and only acknowledges the reality of the day in Mark 12:17:
"Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' And they marveled at him."
Jesus demands that Christians worship only God. This is examined deeply at https://mises.org/wire/render-unto-caesar-most-misunderstood-new-testament-passage. This suggests God as the one and only external authority. Government seems to be a mere nuisance to be tolerated and appeased, certainly not worshipped or submitted to. Humans are prone to mistakes - sin even - and so often exercise and worship human authority rather than divine authority.
So where does that leave Jesus? As the son of God and the son of man, can he also be a mother-Democrat or a Republican-father?
To answer the question at hand, let us also examine the American conception of governance and government. The Declaration of Independence proclaims that rights are inherent and inalienable, not granted by governments:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --"
The rights of individuals are inherent and endowed by our Creator. Government has no authority to grant people rights and favors. It is the people and their consent that create, restrain and abolish government. The Declaration of Independence reminds us that government cannot be our parents or our authority. Government exists at the will of the people. It is the people that grant any power at all to governments. Governments, if anything, are the creation of people and as such are subordinate to the people. Governments are at most employees or contractors of the people.
It is true that this declaration of inalienable rights was violated from its inception. The founders broke their own Declaration and negated the inalienable and inherent rights of huge swaths of individual Americans. The promise of America lies in recognizing and fulfilling this truth of respect for and honoring the inherent rights of ALL individuals and living and governing accordingly. It is an embodiment of treating our neighbors as ourselves. Robin Koerner in "Liberty is the Politics of Love" reminds us that "the three words of love are "as you wish...'" Governance in such a system doesn't require any formal government. Any governments that do exist, do so at the will of the people.
Upon closer examination, it seems that self-governance is both the Christian and the American foundation of governance. The voice of Neema Vedadi, saying "you own yourself" captures this proper placement of authority beautifully. (Neema can be found at https://www.facebook.com/nvedadi). For Christians, it does, however, need an additional aspect of communal, in addition to the inherent individual responsibility. This is where Jesus as the WAY points people to "treat their neighbors as themselves". This principle requires individuals and communities to care for the vulnerable and defend the weak within our communities. It is a call that Jesus requires ALL who live as he does to follow. In this conception, individuals are the adults - the parents.
So when we ask, "is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?", are we not creating him in our image rather than ourselves in his image? If adults need an authority, can that authority be any but a Creator?
The purpose of political parties - particularly Democrats and Republicans - is to control government and governance on all levels. Which one best embodies Jesus?
Cognitive Scientist George Lakoff described the Democratic Party as maternal and the Republican Party as paternal. He wrote several books detailing Republicans as the metaphorical father, suggesting that Democrats needed to really push their contrasting position as the metaphorical mother to win the hearts and minds of Americans. Which would Jesus be? Democrat? Or Republican?
I happen to think that Lakoff tapped into to a deeply held contemporary American conception of the role of government. Americans in the 21st century seem to agree almost universally that government's proper role is a parent that grants and restricts the rights and freedoms of Americans. The question is: "Is this the founders' conception of the proper role of government?" More importantly, is this the proper Christian concept of government?
Consider first, Christian authority of governance. The gospel of John 14 offers an alternative conception that maybe we are called to be Christlike adults who treat others as we would like to be treated. This seems to point to governance as an internal process fulfilled by individuals in Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the truth, the way, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
John 14:12 -14 12 further elaborates:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 if you ask me, anything in my name, I will do it."
Adults can call for God's mercy and grace to fulfill this commandment to love their neighbors as themselves.
Christianity does not seem to claim a necessity for government by force and only acknowledges the reality of the day in Mark 12:17:
"Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' And they marveled at him."
Jesus demands that Christians worship only God. This is examined deeply at https://mises.org/wire/render-unto-caesar-most-misunderstood-new-testament-passage. This suggests God as the one and only external authority. Government seems to be a mere nuisance to be tolerated and appeased, certainly not worshipped or submitted to. Humans are prone to mistakes - sin even - and so often exercise and worship human authority rather than divine authority.
So where does that leave Jesus? As the son of God and the son of man, can he also be a mother-Democrat or a Republican-father?
To answer the question at hand, let us also examine the American conception of governance and government. The Declaration of Independence proclaims that rights are inherent and inalienable, not granted by governments:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --"
The rights of individuals are inherent and endowed by our Creator. Government has no authority to grant people rights and favors. It is the people and their consent that create, restrain and abolish government. The Declaration of Independence reminds us that government cannot be our parents or our authority. Government exists at the will of the people. It is the people that grant any power at all to governments. Governments, if anything, are the creation of people and as such are subordinate to the people. Governments are at most employees or contractors of the people.
It is true that this declaration of inalienable rights was violated from its inception. The founders broke their own Declaration and negated the inalienable and inherent rights of huge swaths of individual Americans. The promise of America lies in recognizing and fulfilling this truth of respect for and honoring the inherent rights of ALL individuals and living and governing accordingly. It is an embodiment of treating our neighbors as ourselves. Robin Koerner in "Liberty is the Politics of Love" reminds us that "the three words of love are "as you wish...'" Governance in such a system doesn't require any formal government. Any governments that do exist, do so at the will of the people.
Upon closer examination, it seems that self-governance is both the Christian and the American foundation of governance. The voice of Neema Vedadi, saying "you own yourself" captures this proper placement of authority beautifully. (Neema can be found at https://www.facebook.com/nvedadi). For Christians, it does, however, need an additional aspect of communal, in addition to the inherent individual responsibility. This is where Jesus as the WAY points people to "treat their neighbors as themselves". This principle requires individuals and communities to care for the vulnerable and defend the weak within our communities. It is a call that Jesus requires ALL who live as he does to follow. In this conception, individuals are the adults - the parents.
So when we ask, "is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?", are we not creating him in our image rather than ourselves in his image? If adults need an authority, can that authority be any but a Creator?
Juliet Nail has been a Quaker for nearly 30 years and a libertarian for the last 8 years. A cradle Catholic, she discovered Quakerism as a very young woman and has happily attended ever since. When she began voting in California as a young adult, she did not know people were supposed to pick a political team but often found herself voting with the Peace and Freedom party and/ or the libertarians but never thought much of it. In looking for a peace candidate in 2012, she discovered libertarianism and quickly became quite active in liberty circles. It did not take long to see the consistency in a commitment to peace and equality in both realms. Juliet gardens and lives with her family in Minnesota. She is a member of Minneapolis Friends Meeting.