A Closer Walk With Bush and Jesus

Many have dismissed Republican presidential front-runner George W. Bush’s claim that Jesus Christ is the political philosopher to have influenced him the most. His assertion was seen as religious pandering at its worst. Yet I decided to take him seriously, and I discovered that Bush had not taken the “political” teachings of Jesus seriously. Indeed, he betrayed no knowledge of their content.

Let’s look at just a few of Jesus’ best-known political teachings.

When telling of the judgment of the “nations” (ergo political), Jesus said, according to Matthew’s Gospel: “For I was hungry and you gave me food . . . I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. . . . Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers . . . you did it to me.” It sounds to me like welfare, open immigration, universal health care, increased international aid and prison reform, all in one sermon.

In another sermon (you know, the one on the Mount?) Jesus is reported to have said, again according to Matthew: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, ‘Do not resist an evildoer.’ But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” This is a direct contradiction to the very idea of the death penalty. Yet Bush has shown no pity when it comes to executions in his state.

If Christ is Bush’s favorite political philosopher, why are none of these themes reflected in his so-called political philosophy of compassionate conservatism?

If these are not his understandings of Christ’s teachings, then he should show what connections he has made between his positions and those of his close friend, Jesus. Maybe we ask too much of a person who, when asked about his daily reading, listed several newspapers and a book or two but not the Bible. Politicians who run on the coattails of their religion do so at great peril to their political credibility and the confidence of a diverse constituency.

As an ordained minister who ran for political office myself, I listed my employment in the church as a point of departure, not a destination for my political leadership.

All persons of faith, whether clergy or lay of whatever religion, best represent their beliefs when there is a seamless relationship between their deeply held values and the work they have done.

Among the 2000 presidential contenders, only Democrat Bill Bradley has refused to discuss publicly his religious status. In the face of all the Bible-thumping going on in both major parties’ campaigns, his practice seems as bold a statement of his spirituality as any overt claim of piety by the others.

Which reminds me of some other sayings of Jesus, also from Matthew’s Gospel: “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.” And: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father.”