Blog #18 – Standing for Truth at the Caucus
By Sandy Holden[1]
A number of the sermons at our church (Foothills Bible Church) this spring have related to an experience that I had early in February. As we stand for the truth, sometimes we are put in unusual situations.
I have attended our local caucus the last six years or so. But, this year, it was impressed on my heart that it was time to prepare differently for the evening as I might have to testify about why we as Christian believers should not vote for someone of the Mormon faith. To compound the problem, I was also supporting Newt Gingrich. I left the house prepared, hoping for the best, and hoping that I would not be called upon.
The room was full of people that had not attended past caucuses. The leader asked for someone to stand to defend Mitt Romney. A man immediately stood and supported him. By the end of the evening this man had been elected our delegate. He shook hands with people at the door as they left. It seemed obvious that he is of the Mormon faith.
Then, she asked for someone to stand to defend Rick Santorum. A man of prominence that has run in the Presidential race in the past stood and did a lovely job of that. He and his wife live in a nearby neighborhood.
Then, the question came “Is anyone willing to defend Newt Gingrich?” No one else raised their hand, and I was prompted. I took my notes and stood there shaking, noting that I would like nothing better than to be able to support Senator Santorum for the godly man that he is, but that I believe this is one time in the history of our nation when we need a Washington insider to be able to undo all that President Obama has done; to include, health care, increased debt, czars, etc. And, that we need someone who can actually get around the Washington gridlock in order to make these changes.
Then, I noted that I do not believe Governor Romney will be able to win against President Obama, so voting for him could be a wasted vote. I believe this for two reasons: 1) because he would not be able to debate him, but more importantly, 2) because he wouldn’t get the votes to win the election due to spiritual issues. A woman from the front raised her hand and wanted to know, “What about the spiritual issues?” So, I said that while the Mormons are very nice people, they are works-oriented and not Christians. That means that many in our nation concerned with theological issues would not be able to vote for him. She wanted more clarification. So, I said that I had brought a list of differences separating them from the Christian faith from their own theological writings, but that “It’s all about Jesus, and their view of Him.”
I closed by saying that we need to look at the bigger picture and realize that for those concerned with theological ramifications, there is no difference between voting for a Muslim and a Mormon. And, that I know people who would not cast a vote if that is their choice. I heard some gasp at that statement and then a hush went over the room.
Upon sitting down, another woman from the front of the room announced that she is a born-again Christian and cannot even think of voting for someone as despicable and immoral as Newt Gingrich. I was shaking so bad at that point that I did not respond that I believe we should take Speaker Gingrich at his word that he has been forgiven by God and his family for his past, that he is a changed man, and therefore, there are no Biblical concerns against voting for him.
Anyway, by that time everyone in the room hated me for what I had said. I was sad that my views were seen as politically-incorrect bigotry rather than standing for truth and concern for unsaved souls. I know that this clumsy defense of Jesus was not of my doing, but because He drew me to this place. My hope is that someone left that room on a quest to find out the truth about their faith as it compares to the truth about Jesus, the Incarnate God. Not a god among gods, but the Creator God. Not the brother of satan, but the Creator of all angels, including those that are fallen.
The truth:
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
It is doubtful that my appeal to them made much difference. My real solace for the evening was that I stood for Jesus through obedience. When the words “It’s all about Jesus” came out of my mouth, I thought, “Woo hoo!” And, it didn’t matter what anyone in the room thought. I had stood for truth and my Lord.
[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.