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by Robert Clayton

I'm writing to comment on Mike McHugh's article "Statesmen Versus Politicians." At first blush, McHugh's article generally may seem to have merit to Christians who desire to see a change from the rampant malfeasance and double-minded ways of today's politicians, but the overall merit of this article must be critiqued biblically.

Particular Tactics to Support a Particular Political Cause

Musing on Amos 3:3, McHugh argues that "a statesman has no qualms about signing agreements that make him accountable in measurable and definable terms." There are at least two problems with this reasoning.

First, the biblical civil servant is accountable to the measurable and definable words of all of Scripture, not the particular tactical words of a well-intended lobbyist. We need civil servants who advocate all of Scripture as the guide for their words and actions, because it is all of God's law-word that equips the statesman for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16), not the manipulative wording of the advocate of one specific cause.

Second, God's minister (Rom. 13) should be accountable to the law-word of God, the source of divine wisdom for all affairs of man under all circumstances. A statesman should not be obligated to "a specific promise with specific plans for implementation" of a covenant consisting of man-centered wisdom that stipulates particular tactics pursuant to the goals of a particular special-interest group.

Rule of Law Versus Rules of Lawyers

All authority has been given to Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18). In the constitutional republic that is the United States of the America, King Jesus has seen fit to delegate authority based on the rule of law, rather than the law of the rulers (or "king-makers"). Misguided citizens seek to impose rules to control politicians (rules of lawyers) rather than hold the politicians accountable to the rule of law (God's law).

Let Your "Yes" be "Yes" and Your "No" "No"

McHugh's argument that a statesman should be willing to sign agreements that make him accountable in measurable and definable terms should be evaluated in terms of God's Word. "Let your 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no,' 'no.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (Matt. 5:37).

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