What Happens When Politicians Play Doctor & Justices Play Theologian

“I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

The words were first spoken by a soap opera star in a 1986 commercial for Vicks cough syrup.

It may have worked for Vicks, but the recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court declaring that fertilzed frozen embryos are children demonstrates just how bizarre and dangerous it can be when politicians play gynecologist and Justices play theologian.

I’ll leave the medical issues to real doctors. But Chief Justice Tom Parker played theologian in a concurring opinion. He declared that the people of Alabama had adopted the “theologically based view” that “life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.”

I read his concurrence. The Chief Justice argued the case on the basis of a conservative (but not the only!) interpretation of scripture. He refers to God (by which, of course, he means God as Christians know him) 40 times. He quotes the Bible and Christian theologians including Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin (neither of whom could have imagined IVF.)

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison must be rolling over in their graves!

The End of Democracy?

Meanwhile at CPAC, activist and media personality Jack Posobiec declared, “Welcome to the end of democracy … We are here to overthrow it completely. We didn’t get all the way there on January 6, but we will endeavor to get rid of it.” He held up a cross in his fist when he announced, “We’ll replace it with this right here.”

Dan Rather concluded, “The right wing wants to topple our democracy and replace it with Trump’s authoritarian rule. This is not hyperbole. It is not fear-mongering. They are saying it. Out loud.”  

Meanwhile, our four-times-indicted former President told the Religious Broadcasters, “I am a Christian!” That should remind any of us who make the same claim of Jesus’ disturbing words, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46-48) Trump went on to declare, “No one will be touching the cross of Christ under the Trump administration, I swear to you.”

So, What About the Cross?

My job is not it protect physicians or defend democracy, though I am happy to do both! But I cringe when I hear politicians quote scripture and, particularly, when they start waving the cross.

Trump promises to protect the cross although, if we take it seriously, we might prefer being protected from it.(1 Corinthians 1:18-25) Prospbiec pledges to replace democracy with the cross, in spite of the way Jesus rejected that temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:5-8) and refuted it in his conversation with Pilate. (John 18:33-37) Both politicians are happy to wave the cross, but neither suggested we carry it.

Meanwhile, the assigned readings for last Sunday included these disturbing words.

Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly…

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ” (Mark 8:31-38)

When Jesus says, “If any…” he gives us the freedom to choose. Democracy ensures my right to take up the cross, but it does not give me the right to impose it on someone else. A dictator is still a dictator, even when the dictator waves a cross or wraps himself in the flag.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer showed us in his own life what it looks like to take up the cross in the confrontation with an authoritarian dictator. In my devotional time I’ve been re-reading his classic, The Cost of Discipleship. As we make our way to the cross during Lent, I’ve turned to his Letters and Papers from Prison. His witness is the constant reminder that carrying the cross is much more demanding than waving or protecting it.

With gratitude for the freedom democracy gives, may there be fewer of us who wave the cross, and more of us who become disciples who carry it.

Grace and peace,

Jim

P.S I just finished proofreading “Surprised by Mary: How the Christ Who Was Born Through Mary Can Be Born Again Through You.” After living with her for three years, she continues to surprise me! It will be released later this year. I look forward to sharing it with you!