Over the last few weeks, much of the country was in turmoil over the Kavanaugh hearings. Regardless of whether you are on the left, right, or center, chances are you have been unhappy at some point. We Christians have an obligation to put the Bible, and not our political party, first. Our first allegiance is to the Lord, and He is not a Democrat or a Republican. So what does the Bible have to say about this issue? It has a lot to say. Here is one passage that helps me think biblically about this:
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” Ephesians 5:1-5
The Bible calls us to a high calling – to be imitators of God and to walk in sacrificial love. A fundamental part of walking in love is treating women with respect. When God created men and women He created them with equal value. Both men and women equally reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:27). When Christ came, He demonstrated that not only does God equally value men and women, but He also equally died for them. We are “coheirs of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). We are equally saved, equally loved, equally valuable. There is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11).
Moreover, God calls all of us, men and women, to walk in purity. That is why this passage from Ephesians says that “sexual immorality…should not even be heard of among you.” This call to purity applies to everyone, and it is critically important in leaders. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him on how he should relate to those whom he leads in the church. “Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with all purity” (1 Tim 5:1-2). In his example as a leader (and as someone with power and influence) Timothy is to relate to older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with all purity. Earlier in his letter, Paul details the qualifications for church leaders and includes other characteristics such as being gentle, not a drunk, and having a good reputation (see this post for more discussion on that).
It is clear from the preceding paragraph that any behavior such as was alleged by Dr. Ford is clearly and unequivocally condemned by Scripture. All of us who feel angered by sexual assault, rape, domestic violence and any other form of abuse can rest assured that it also angers the Lord. God hates these things, and those who do not accept Christ’s death on the cross as punishment for their crime will face the wrath of a perfectly just God.
In addition to guiding our behavior as Christians, the Bible also has a lot to say about how governments should act. In Romans 13, Paul states that “…there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God” (Romans 13:1b). All governments are given their authority by God and have a responsibility to Him to govern well. And what does good government look like? Psalm 89:14 says of the character of God’s own rule “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; faithful love and truth go before you.” God is the ultimate government and His throne is based on righteousness and justice. “Good governments” are those that demonstrate these characteristics as well – to ensure that justice is done and to promote not only societal righteousness (right/good living by members of society) but also personal righteousness among those who govern. Whatever the office, the personal character of those who govern should be a concern for Christians. We should seek to support leaders with good character and clearly condemn behavior that is not in keeping with righteousness. We know that all will fall short of God’s perfect righteousness and justice but, whatever your political alignment, Christians should be people that strive for righteousness and advocate for it in their leaders.