Why Christians Don’t Vote For Democrats (A Book Review)
Why Christians Don’t Vote for Democrats
by Richard Miller
Softcover, 91 pages
Published by Xulon Press
I’ve repeatedly expressed my frustration with the Republican Party. However, even with those frustrations, I do not feel weclomed by the Democrats. Apparently I’m not alone in my political feelings. Jim Wallis’ book God’s Politics is subtitled “Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It,” while Rod Dreher’s Crunchy Cons also expresses sentiments of exclusion from the Democratic Party. While we must not be so uncritical as to assume that the Republican Party is “God’s party” or that they get everything right, we must also admit taht there are fundamental reason why Christians do not vote for the Democratic Party. Miller sets out to discuss those reasons in his book aptly titled Why Christians Don’t Vote For Democrats.
Miller describes himself as a “happily married empty nester” and as politically “firmly non-affiliated,” so it must be said that Miller’s critique cannot be understood as a wholesale endorsement of the Republicans. Miller holds a degree from “Bible college,” has worked for “a Christian newspaper” and expresses an interest “in the Christian community’s struggle to be successfully engaged in politics.” In other words, he writes (rather outspokenly) as a Christian and it must be said that this (as it ought to) colors the entire book.
Divided into 13 chapters, the book covers a variety of topics, from “The Secular State,” and “Freedom of Education” to that election catchphrase “Values.” In each chapter, Millers strives to demonstrate how the official platform of the Democratic Party is out of keeping with biblical Christianity. For example, in the chapter “Separation of Church and State,” Miller does a good yet brief job at arguing that as a whole, the Democratic Party has interpreted the First Amendment of the Constitution to actually promote Atheism and a secular state. Miller concludes: “This interpretation of the First Amendment - when applied to a modern, pluralistic society - results in unfair treatment of Christians.”
In the chapter, “Values,” Miller counters the argument that the Democrats deserve Christian support because they help the poor as Christians everywhere are called to do (Matthew 25:35, etc.). The current approach of “giving to everyone according to need” actually fosters a society of dependents and is not a biblical approach. Drawing from Paul’s admonition in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (”If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat”), Miller tells how:
“Dwight L. Moody operated a soup kitchen during the Great Depression. When a hew guy showed up for a free lunch, he was asked to help out by chopping wood. If he were not truly in need, he would walk away. If he were truly in need, he would do the deed.”
Miller believes that “Democrats support the naïve welfare state, which allows people who can work to take advantage of taxpayers. Democrats measure success by how many people are on welfare.” Though Miller’s argument at this point is sound, I personally felt that more interaction with Scripture (throughout the book) would have solidified many of his points.
Miller must be commended for his cool-headed approach throughout. Yes, he is writing against Christians voting for Democrats, but the book is not a diatribe and it is not a rant. For the most part, Miller handles his arguments quite thoughtfully and chronicles the many aspects of the Democratic Party that are either out of sync with or directly opposed to biblical Christianity.
However, even with Millers cool tone having been commended, it must also be said that he, perhaps at times, engages in what might be construed as ad hominem attack, making several shocking statements that might have either been slightly reigned in or factually supported. For example, Miller argues:
“Secular Democrats want to lower the age for consensual sex. Secular Democrats advocate legalizing prostitution. Secular Democrats are willing to limit the freedom of corporations to pollute the air we breath, and the water we drink, but they are blind to the need to limit the pollution of the American culture.”
While such statements are typically supported, the presents of such unsupported statements is perhaphs the one hole in the armor of an otherwise thoughtful approach to a pertinent issue. While the book is specifically targeted at the Democratic Party, it ought to have the welcome affect of encouraging all voting Christians to examine their political allegiances beyond a “that’s the way my family’s always voted” approach and for that alone, Miller ought to be thanked. An easy to read and thought-provoking book; a combination that’s becoming all too rare.
- Read Why Christians Don’t Vote for Democrats by Richard Miller.
- Read God’s Politics by Jim Wallis.
- Read Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher.
Your final quote from Miller’s work sounds a lot like Dreher when he talks about liberals and their flawed understanding of the human race. The difference is that Dreher identifes a missing piece in the liberal worldview (the recogniton of original sin). I have not read Why Christians Don’t Vote for Democrats does Miller at any point address this issue?
Sorry this isn’t relevant to the present post, but Emergent-US posted on their blog links to the articles you referred to in the “I reject your reality and insert my own” post. http://emergent-us.typepad.com/emergentus/
I thought some of your non-Relevant subscribing readers would like to see the article for themselves. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I’ve had several requests for that article and hadn’t been able to find it.
Sean; Miller doesn’t do as good of a job at developing some of the theological aspects of the argument, which is disappointing, because most of his other arguments are solid, they just lack that extra foundation.
Brent,
I noticed you have been reading Pop Goes Religion. What do you think? Would you recommend that I pick it up?
I know you are pretty widely read on Christianity and culture. If you had your top books in this genre, what would they be?
I am wanting to read more in this genre, as I am a musical guy like you, and would love to hear what some of the best books are in addressing Christianity and cultural issues. I have heard about Total Truth and All God’s Children in Blue Suede Shoes. Would those be on your list?
Mark, I’ve actually just barely begun Pop Goes Religion, so can’t comment on it yet. I didn’t personally find All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes as helpful. Total Truth is a good primer for a holistic Christian worldview that touches on aspects of culture. Definitely a must read, but if you’re more interested in popular culture and the arts, I would recommend:
Are you familiar with the work of Neil Postman?
I am. If you’ve not read Amusing Ourselves to Death, it ought to be in your “to read” pile very near the top. Not from a Christian perspective, but essential nonetheless.