I Changed My Mind About Voting — Joshua Good — Ep. 100

At one point Joshua Good was very interested, and willing to be involved, in politics. Today though, he views the Christian’s involvement in politics as contrary to the calling of those who follow Christ. Listen to Joshua share his story of change in this episode.

This is the 100th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.

The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.

[jamesburns]

Joshua B. Good said "We belong to a nation state where Jesus is president, and immigration is open and we have socialism, but it is not coercive socialism. This is not Marxism. This is volitional socialism. Followers of Jesus give rather than receive, and they care for each other, and it's beautiful. Like to me, the local church is again the only hope. The Kingdom of God is a beautiful thing, and it presents the answers to the world's issues. The nation-states, you don't have to study history long to see that there's a lot of empty promises, a lot of broken dreams, and a lot of dead people at the hands of nation-states." Perfectly Said!

[samuelfisher]

This is excellent! Thanks for taking up this subject. You two have reinforced my conviction that Jesus truly meant what he said in Matthew 6:24; No man can serve two masters: for either he. will hate the one, and love the other; or else. ... will hate the one and love the other; or else. You know, I think many of the issues today's Christians face hinge upon, as Dean Taylor says; What if Jesus really meant what he said?

[Bokescreek]

This is a really helpful discussion--thanks for taking the time to do this good work. Any chance you might list some of the formative books you've mentioned with titles? I'd like to find some of them. Again, thanks much.

[sheilajackson]

A beautiful Message. Jesus IS the Way, the only way, the Truth and the Life! Thank you Principal Good!

[salyluz]

Let’s Vote for King Jesus every day, in our choices as to what we do and say!

[jaspermiller]

Definitely respect his stand. However, one mythe is that if you vote you are required to take up arms. Not so! Many people simply believe what they are told but don’t read and research for themselves.
If we choose not to get involved in government systems, then we need to be consistent and not accept any help from our government, social security, college grants, agricultural funds and the list goes on.
One thing to remember is, “Evil wins when Godly men do nothing”!

[Homer-bnuv]

Interesting to hear these perspectives, thank you.

[ruthgoebel]

The Bible commands that we are to be separate from the world and its systems. When we break that down and dabble in things were are commanded not to, we lose our nonresistant stance. Soon we will be joining the what would Jesus say???

[pth]

You made the same choice that nominal Christians do. Being a part of the world, doing things that God is not pleased with . Separation of church and state is important for Christians. Christian's responsibility in having the government that we need is to spend time on our knees and God will look after us. I would like to see you grow in your convictions.

[nomadicrecovery]

I feel like this is a very irresponsible position. What he is not understanding apparently is in America anyway, you are a part of a voting block whether you vote or not. Your vote will count even if you pretend that you’re not involved. It will affect the outcome. Once you realize this, to me it’s the same as any responsibility to respect authority’s of the state. Taxes voting etc. It is not wisdom to just allow anything and everything to roll on around you that will affect your brothers and sisters and the actual environment that you were working inPreach the gospel. This is simply a system of electing people for jobs in the municipality that you live so that we can function as a society, society that God has indeed put in place like all governments on the earth. If you don’t vote you are still voting with your in action so you might as well vote for a person to take the job and hope they do a better job than not. Fireman, policeman, Mary, president, these are jobs of the civil authorities and we all have one vote to influence who does that work to me this is obvious.It also has nothing to do with warfare. United States goes to war and the president you voted for decided to do that that’s on him not you. Just like anybody gets hired to be a CEO you were not responsible for all of their decisions you are responsible for giving him an opportunity to make the right decisions. I see nothing in the Bible that condemns voting or being involved in your community

This kind of attitude leads to things like World War II where the Jehovah’s Witnesses who hold the same type of position, were rescued by the military of America, yet condemn the military of America. But they sure did appreciate them coming and saving them. This makes no sense to me it’s not a honest consistent point of you. If you really don’t want to be part of the military then you surely should not except their help to save your life.

None of this conflicts with God’s kingdom none of this conflicts with our purpose here on earth as Christians, while we wait for the kingdom to put its own societal systems in place on earth, we are inside systems that God has allowed and or put in place. So we have to make do with that and do our best to promote God for you. Voting is essential to be able to do