By Shane Kastler
Theologically I am a Calvinist. Politically I am a Libertarian. Though I believe I have to give qualifications for both of these labels. And I believe there is a lot of misunderstood caricatures for both of these labels. But the two (at least in my mind) are very related. Part of the reason that I have Libertarian political views is because I have Calvinistic theological ones. Let me explain.
First of all, when I say I am a Calvinist I'm referring to the “Five Points of Calvinism” nothing more and nothing less. To be a Calvinist doesn't mean I agree with the French reformer John Calvin on every issue. Being a Baptist, I don't even agree with him on a major church ordinance. Nor do I agree with him on many other points, both theological and governmental. But I do agree with him on the sovereignty of God and the depravity of man. And I agree with him on how and whom the Lord saves. The acronym T.U.L.I.P. has often been used to remember the five points, so I'll use them to give a brief overview.
Total depravity states that every aspect of man is affected and flawed by the sin curse. Even a sinner's will is enslaved to sin and they will not “choose” to repent and believe on Jesus without Divine intervention. Unconditional election states that God chooses those whom He will save based upon His sovereign election, apart from merit on the sinner's part. Limited atonement states that Christ died to pay for the sins of a specific group of people (the elect) rather than a general atonement that might be applicable to some but not necessarily applicable to any. Irresistible grace teaches that God will overcome the sinner's natural aversion to Him, grant a new heart, and change their “will” into one that desires Him. And finally, “Perseverance of the Saints” teaches that all true believers will persevere and continue to follow Christ unto end. Not because of their effort and goodness; but because of the Lord's work keeping them unto the end. So this is what I mean when I say I am a Calvinist. And part of why I am a Libertarian is because I am a Calvinist. Now, for what I mean when I take the label “Libertarian.”
Some believe that a Libertarian favors a “no holds barred” type of society that throws off all restraints, abolishes all laws, and embraces all sins. Perhaps some who claim the label would seek that; but not me. I'm a Libertarian because I value liberty and I am extremely suspicious of governmental attempts to squelch it by control. Because it is antithetical to personal liberty. It's been my experience that both political Conservatives and political Liberals are often times anti-liberty. Because so often, both groups seek to use the power of the government to enforce, with the power of law, their views. I see this as dangerous when coming from either side. Since both sides are made up of sinners who are, by nature, totally depraved. Let's look at both groups.
It is almost laughable to use the term “liberal” to describe most modern day political “Liberals.” The word “liberal” refers to a broad or wide acceptance of things, but most liberals are anything but accepting. Hate speech laws, government mandated insurance, gun control laws, and government banned substances (i.e., trans fat, large sodas, etc.) place extreme amounts of restrictions upon the freedom of our citizenry. Using the government to force people to not only accept your views, but to face punishment if they even think in a way you disagree with is the very essence of totalitarism; not liberalism. What is commonly called “Classical Liberalism” (at least in a political sense) is what many today would call “Libertarianism.” But the modern form of Liberalism as seen in the likes of Barack Obama, Michael Bloomberg, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid is nothing more than hardline dictatorial, gestapo-like control. There is nothing really “liberal” about it.
But political Conservatives often fall into the very same trap; by wanting to use the power of the government to enforce their views. Take for example, laws banning marijuana. I'll be the first to admit and proclaim with loud and unapologetic tones that I believe marijuana is extremely dangerous and that no one should smoke it. I repeat: I consider marijuana “bad.” But just because I consider it bad doesn't mean it should be illegal. I also consider it “bad” to not attend church. But that doesn't mean I want to give the government the power to arrest people for not attending. There are a lot of things in life that are sins; but that doesn't mean they should be crimes. Sins are dealt with (at least in human terms) by religious organizations such as churches, who are entitled to have a set system of beliefs and are allowed to have a code of conduct as they see fit. Church discipline involves the enforcement of said beliefs, by the church. Does anyone really want the government involved in these types of matters? Probably not. So marijuana is bad; but that doesn't mean it should be illegal. What a person grows in their garden should not depend upon government approval, in a free society. I would no more tell you what vegetables you should be allowed to grow and eat than I would what you should be allowed to grow and smoke. And the last thing I would wish to do is give the government the power to kick down your door and haul you to jail because of what you grow and/or smoke in the privacy of your own house.
The cry from Conservatives however is that “it's for your own good!” But do we really want the government deciding what is for our own good? Isn't that what freedom is all about? The ability to decide for myself what is for my good? As long as I don't infringe upon the rights of others? Some would argue that smoking marijuana can infringe upon the rights of others if an intoxicated person, for example, gets behind the wheel of a car. But we already have laws against driving while intoxicated, or impaired. And we already have laws again reckless driving. Marijuana possession or consumption, in and of itself, should not be against the law. But most Conservatives disagree because, very much like Liberals, they want to use the power of the government to enforce their views. My Libertarianism tells me that I do not wish for those on the political right nor the political left to dictate to me how I can and cannot live. And I most certainly do not wish for them to have the power of government to enforce their dictates. Which is where my theology comes in.
Since all people are sinful and depraved by nature; it stands to reason that governments themselves are made up of people who are sinful and depraved by nature. And the best laws to have in place for a sinful society are laws which prevent the citizens and the government from forcing their views upon any other group with the power of law. What you end up with is sinful people electing sinful people to pass laws to imprison other sinful people. It's reminiscent of what Jesus told his disciples regarding the self righteous Pharisees of his day, “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14 NASB) Present day America is made up of blind guides (politicians) leading the blind people (citizens). And have you noticed where our society has ended up? (in a pit) And the reason we are in a pit has nothing to do with a lack of laws enforcing conservative views or liberals views. We are in a pit because of blindness. A spiritual blindness that can only be remedied by the grace of God in granting spiritual sight. Where once again my theology informs my politics.
The answer to America's woes, indeed the world's woes, is not “law” but rather “gospel.” The Apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentile). For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) The hopelessly depraved Conservatives and Liberals; Republicans and Democrats, and everything in between need new hearts. They need the power of God to touch them and change them and grant life to them. If that were to happen, then society would change in a way that no lawmaker could ever accomplish. For this reason the church's primary responsibility should be the proclamation of the gospel rather than the electing of politicians. While we should by all means seek to elect those who seem to know and love the Lord, we should also elect those who are committed to not using the power of law to enforce their views. Let us protect the liberties of all people so that we avoid both a liberal dictatorship and a conservative one. And here, once again, my theology informs my politics.
I believe without reservation that God is sovereign and that His only son is Jesus Christ. And that as the gospel goes forth into the world, God graciously saves whomever He chooses to save. That salvation is “not according to works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8) And that Jesus' promise that “all the Father gives Me will come to Me” cannot and will not be thwarted by any. Since God is sovereign, I can rest. And so can you. Every single one of your personal beliefs and viewpoints doesn't need to be enshrined by Congress with a man-made law. For God alone reigns and He will one day right every wrong. Until then, may I graciously encourage you to be about the business of “cleaning up your own backyard” and avoid the tendency to demand laws that enforce your views.
So there you have it. I'm a Libertarian because I am a Calvinist. My belief in the “Doctrines of Grace” means I'm very suspicious of the enforcement of laws. Since all are sinful by nature, I realize that this includes government leaders. And as such, I believe that the primary mindset for passing a law should be to protect our liberties rather than simply enforcing our personal views. Remember that the same power of law that you use to enslave someone today might be used to enslave you tomorrow. Live and let live. Defend the truth and proclaim the truth. But don't look to Washington for your righteousness. Look to Jesus. Read God's Word. Seek to understand it in context; and let your theology inform your politics.
Interesting. I was trying to answer the question as to why most libertarians that are Christians are Reformed (I am both) and ran across your post. The empirical connection is fairly obvious (if you talk to a few libertarian Christians) but I don't think the reasons for the connection is that obvious (even after reading your post).
Posted by: Jim Carroll | June 09, 2014 at 05:41 PM