The moral debt ceiling of modern politics

As the Congress struggles to resolve the ‘debt limit crisis’ and avoid default, politicians and pundits will argue about responsibility, expediency, near- and long-term consequences, living beyond one’s means, etc. Some consequences of either default or yet another giant upward step in total national debt might include higher risk resulting in higher interest rates, a self-fueling inflationary spiral, the loss of world leadership in economics, perhaps even being replaced by some other nation or group of nations in setting the policy and agenda of world economic matters, due to the U.S, government’s fiscal irresponsibility. Or perhaps when combined with other factors such as war, climate change, famine, epidemics, and migration there will be international chaos. World chaos.

The massive deficits (estimated by some at $1.5-$2 trillion for FY 23) are driven by growth in expenditures on the needy. Scripture says a few things about this:  

• Proverbs 22:9, Matthew 6:3-4, 19:21 God rewards those who give to the poor.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 If  anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.
• Genesis 41:35-36 In times of plenty, we should store up for times of want.
• Proverbs 22:7 The borrower is the lender’s slave.
• Proverbs 16:11, 20:23 The Lord delights in honesty and integrity in business dealings.
• Matthew 6:25-33 God takes care of the birds and plants, do not fret, He will take care of His own.
• 1 Peter 2:13-14, Romans 13:1-7 Submit to government, which rules to punish evil and is a minister for good

It is important to understand that the Bible primarily speaks to believers. However, there are universal principles that spring from the eternity in which God created our universe and world. That is a topic for another time (but read Proverbs for a preview).

What matters to politicians? Leadership? Power? Ego? To these ends, they maneuver and manipulate and posture. Nothing new about that. (A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt, set in 1525-1535.)  But the economic and political chaos that may result from fiscal irresponsibility could open the door for an authoritarian figure to rise to power by demonstrating that he can restore order, peace, and stability. Perhaps, as a means to prevent fraud and identity theft, he will require a numbered microchip to be implanted in everyone’s right hand or forehead to buy or sell. (Revelation 13:16-17). 

Is the underlying motive for what politicians do personal integrity? Accountability before God? I don’t for a femtosecond believe this is to deliberately take us down a path that prepares the way for the antichrist to usher in the great tribulation, because that would be followed by the physical return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign on the earth. Well, maybe I believe the first part - that their goal is to create such chaos that people will choose an authoritarian despot. Besides, Jesus gave a different condition for the End - that the gospel must be preached to every nation. (Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10) 

The national debt our politicians run up is dwarfed by the moral and spiritual debt they incur by maneuvering, manipulating and posturing to maintain their own position and power, in defiance of Scripture. This is not just a simple error, a misunderstanding, but a deliberate choice to reject God’s ways in order to maintain their authority. They have missed the entire meaning and purpose of life. This debt will be paid in eternity if they do not repent. There is no ceiling on eternal judgment.

Book Review: A Man For All Seasons, by Robert Bolt

First published in 1960 and produced as a play that same year, this script provides insight into the life and death of Sir Robert More. Initially a well-respected leader holding multiple responsible positions in the government of Henry VIII, More was executed at his direction in 1535. This was the result of his refusal to take an oath that he supported the act of Parliament making the king of England the head of the church in England, in addition to sanctioning his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. 

The emphasis of the play is that More refused to compromise on his convictions.  This boiled down to his belief that church and state were separate and Parliament had no authority to subject the church to the state. Henry’s divorce was a secondary factor that brought Spain to pressure the Pope to refuse to approve it, but that is what gets the most publicity. Henry had married his brother Arthur’s widow. The English cited Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21 as reasons for annulling the marriage, but conveniently ignored Deuteronomy 25:5-6 regarding the duty to a brother’s widow. Nor was there discussion of whether Christians are bound by Old Testament law, or mention of New Testament teachings. In any event, Henry’s marriages (six total), expropriation of property, and string of politically motivated executions provide evidence to the  condition of his soul. But this was not More’s primary issue. He simply had the conviction that the King should not control the church, and refused to take an oath to the contrary. It was not that More was innocent of  persecuting people, as his career included prosecution of Protestants and reformers.

What is the difference between a politician and a statesman, a ruler and a leader? Regardless of titles or epithets, this book vividly illustrates the outworking of character. The one who fears and honors God, looking towards the final outcome of his life, versus the ones who choose expediency to attain worldly success in this life. We have few of the former and an abundance of the latter - this has been the case throughout history. Politics is, after all, the process by which people with differing views negotiate to find common ground by which to make group decisions. What modern discourse lacks, illustrated so well in Bolt’s depiction of More, is a clear statement of ultimate values.