More Utilitarian than Christian

Christian Ethics In the Public Square

Christian leaders in the Republican Party, who have supported Ted Cruz, are deserting him--or so we are told.  They believe he has violated a fundamental ethical principle, a Christian standard.  He has acted in an ungodly manner.

Several things immediately spring to mind upon hearing this--and we will evaluate the particular stumbling block shortly--but in the immediate let us be clear, if the charge against Cruz is true, Christian leaders in the Republican Party would be acting as conscientious disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their stand would be commendable and to be imitated by all.

But if it were not true, what then?  Well, sin being sin, and human beings being fallen creatures, there would be two possible camps amongst the Christian critics.

It is possible that one group (Group Number One) are not seeking to ground their judgment of Cruz in Scripture at all, but have merely fallen for a good dose of Republican Party hubris, which demands submission to the Party, for the good of the Party, and calls all good men to the aid of the Party.  Lenin would have been at home amongst such a group.  In fact he would have comfortably led such a party.

It is also possible that a second group have thought about the matter scripturally, and believe that Cruz has indeed violated the Law of the Living God.  This group would have withdrawn their support until he repents and is restored.  That would be the Christian way, right?

Group Number One are not worth debating in this piece.