Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Dan claims politics often functions to “protect the wealth and possessions and privilege” Christians have accumulated, and that “non-voting… acts as a firewall” for allegiance; what parts of your lifestyle or sense of security might be exposed if you truly lived as though Jesus—not laws, parties, or police power—was your protector and provider?
Another way to ask: If you really lived like Jesus—not laws, parties, or police—was your protector and provider, what parts of your lifestyle or sense of safety would be challenged? What might you have to let go of?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Dan implies that trusting Jesus as protector and provider would expose how much we rely on politics to preserve comfort, wealth, and status quo security. His point is that non-voting can serve as a “firewall” to keep allegiance from slowly shifting from Christ’s kingdom to the state’s promise of protection.
- Dan warns of “investing in earthly power,” especially to “protect the wealth and possessions and privilege that we have gained over the years.”
- He calls politics “by and large a pretty selfish endeavor… to protect what I’ve got.”
- He notes Anabaptists have often become stable and prosperous: “this wealth has… really grown,” increasing temptation to preserve it.
- He contrasts political protection with Jesus’ teaching to “seek first his kingdom” and trust God to “take care of the rest” (Sermon on the Mount reference).
- He describes non-voting as a “firewall” that resists “the long slide” into “split loyalties” toward the state or party.