A Christian conservative
"They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace."
"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.'"
(Jeremiah 6:14, 16)
October 30, 2025
Dear friends,
I'm a conservative evangelical Christian, and that affects my political views. I vote as a conservative.
The passage above highlights the truth that God has already revealed his will for humanity. His mind and will have been revealed via Old Testament law and prophets, New Testament apostles, and supremely in the Lord Jesus himself. There is such a thing as the Judeo-Christian ethical viewpoint.
The people of Jeremiah's day (7th century B.C.) thought that their standards of worship, of justice, of business, and of pleasure were enlightened and progressive. Religious pluralism was celebrated, affluence abounded (to the impoverishment of many), injustice was called justice, and in pleasure, everyone followed their own heart (or body). The societal problems were dismissed as "fixable", that is, wounds were healed lightly, and the leaders announced the arrival of peace, peace, when in fact things were not at peace. National destruction was just around the corner. It's hard to see how an idolatrous or secular government can ever be at peace with God.
Not only were the Jews of Jeremiah's day inclusive of other gods, but they also thought they had a good luck charm in the form of the temple in Jerusalem. After all, they were making plenty of sacrifices to the Lord, but in name only, for their motives were polluted, their hearts were stubborn, and they were disobedient to the only true God, even though they had an outward form of good religion.
Being a conservative does not mean that I want to conserve everything or go back to a past that never was. Nor am I against progress in every form. I believe that what is essential for human success has already been revealed by God: "Ask for the ancient paths...," the Lord says. This is "the good way" which God has revealed in his moral law. Much of what is called liberal or progressive today seems to involve a dismissal of the old virtues and a recasting of humankind into something other than what it is or should be. There is a big difference between in the material progress of science and engineering, versus the progress of social sciences and popular psychology, which seeks to reshape humanity into a new image, which remains autonomous.
As a Christian, I am to work and pray for the good of our society: "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7) Many centuries ago, Aristotle wrote, "... every community is established for the sake of some good..." (On Politics) It's not only the definition of good that matters, but also the methods of achieving that good. If, as some say, a conservative is one who seeks to preserve a past that never existed, so too, we might say that the liberal is one who works for a future that never will be.
In Virginia we are in election season for our governor, vice governor, attorney general, and delegates. As a conservative here are some important bullet points for me. I believe...
...that human sexuality is a gift given by God. That there is male and female, and that marriage is a lifetime covenant between one man and one woman, and that children (including the preborn) are to be protected. That parents have a greater authority over their children than do schools and government. I believe that healthy marriages and families are not only good for the church but good for the nation in general.
...that the relief of poverty is more complex than merely funding more government programs. To oppose policies that don't work does not mean we don't care about the poor or for the immigrant. We must craft policies that lift up the disadvantaged and punish crime, as well. We need a wall to keep out attackers, yet enough open doors for the tired, huddled masses to come and breathe free. It seems to me that progressive policies generally do not have a clear understanding of human nature.
...that using racist policies to address racism will not work or bring about true reconciliation. The evil of racism should be addressed with just laws, and at the same time, the worth and responsibility of every individual must be upheld. People should not be treated primarily as part of a class or demographic, but rather, as in the Bible, we should affirm that we are one human race before God.
...that opposing certain aspects of multiculturalism is not bigoted or hateful. Judeo-Christian standards of justice are fundamentally different than standards imported from secularism, communism, or other world religions. There really is a unique Judeo-Christian view of human dignity, human sinfulness, the worth of the individual, and the role of government in upholding justice. This ethic has been foundational to the American republic from its beginning.
I would add to this mix: taking the Constitution in its original intent, preserving the division of powers (where everyone stays in their lane), support for Israel, preserving freedom of religion and speech, limited government, and balanced spending. We are ever prone to look to government when we should be looking to God!
Meanwhile, we live in a fallen world, and any government we elect will be imperfect and tainted with sin and self-interest. I believe that the church should be about proclaiming the gospel, for that's our calling (Matt 28:18-20). We are to live quietly and prayerfully, being thankful for what God provides (1 Tim 2:1-4). We should lead by example and service, with love for God and our neighbor. We should be good citizens, and vote.
These are a few of the reasons I am, and vote as, a conservative. Simplistic, I know. And likely this will not change anyone's mind about politics, but perhaps it may cast a new light for you on why evangelicals like me take a conservative position on so many of these issues. We do seek for the good of our nation. We seek for peace -- God's design for peace -- and so we hearken to "the ancient paths, where the good way is...", that we might walk in it.
IN OTHER READING.
-- Erick Erickson on "Witches to Right of Me. Pagans to the Left." I appreciated his comments on Tim Keller and "the third way" in politics.
-- "A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige. He may be a positive or a negative nationalist – that is, he may use his mental energy either in boosting or in denigrating – but at any rate his thoughts always turn on victories, defeats, triumphs and humiliations." (George Orwell, Notes on Nationalism, 1945)
-- "I continue to believe that our best path forward is to respect one another and to avoid the constant temptation to engage in emotional and political manipulation from the left and right." (Hunter Baker)
-- Samaritan's Purse is bringing aid to Jamaica.
-- 10 things you need to know about violence in Nigeria. (Open Doors)
-- What I'm reading, currently: Proper Confidence (Lesslie Newbigin); The Consolation of Philosophy (Boethius); and History, Law and Christianity (John Warwick Montgomery). Just finished: Faith and Certainty (Herman Bavinck).
FINAL QUOTE. "What is the result of such a personal commitment to the risen Christ? I can myself attest to it. Freedom —- for the servant of Christ is slave to no man. In a fearfully changing world, he is solidly grounded in an unchanging Christ, and therefore is free to develop his capacities to the fullest, under God." (John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law and Christianity)
That’s all for this week!
Sandy
Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.