Should public officials be forgiven for past misdeeds?

[usexpat97]

A soldier of the civil authority must be taught not to kill men and to refuse to do so if he is commanded, and to refuse to take an oath. If he is unwilling to comply, he must be rejected for baptism. A military commander or civic magistrate must resign or be rejected. If a believer seeks to become a soldier, he must be rejected, for he has despised God.
— Hippolytus of Rome

Then some soldiers asked him [Jesus], "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."

Luke 3:14

 

[Jamsie]

So, do you think digging up past misdeeds as a political tool is acceptable, no matter how long ago?

I should think it would depend on the severity of the misdeeds, the present day comportment of the individual, and the honesty by which the person addresses the past. Although it is no longer of significance to many, if not most, Americans character does matter. Character and virtue have been set aside in our present political climate as people, so very malleable, prefer to have their "ears tickled" rather than to consider the truth or the long term ripples.

 

[public hermit]

The early Christians strongly discouraged their members from holding public office and/or participating in the military based on the premise that one cannot serve 2 masters!

Christians in America identify too closely with the Constitution, government and nationalism - all of which are strictly secular inventions designed to make the population easier to govern!

It's interesting that you should bring up Hippolytus. And you are right, early Christians were very weary of holding public office. I have heard that Constantine waiting until close to death to be baptized. The reasoning being that have the power to give a death sentence was not compatible with the Faith.

I also agree that in America there is a tendency for Christians to identify to closely with nationalism. Or, there is a tendency to wrap the cross in the flag.

What do you think about digging up past misdeeds and holding them against a person? Is there a limit to how far back one should dig, if at all? Is the current "call-out" culture compatible with Christian mercy and the notion that people can and do change, or no?

 

[public hermit]

Character and virtue have been set aside in our present political climate as people, so very malleable, prefer to have their "ears tickled" rather than to consider the truth or the long term ripples.

I agree. It seems that for some time Christians were very concerned about the character of their public officials, and that does seem to have been cast aside for political expediency.

What do you think about the current "call-out" culture and public shaming? Is that the best way to ensure that we have leaders of character? How does the current culture of public shaming line up with Christian notions of mercy and grace?

 

[Jamsie]

What do you think about the current "call-out" culture and public shaming? Is that the best way to ensure that we have leaders of character? How does the current culture of public shaming line up with Christian notions of mercy and grace?

It would depend on the nature of such "call-out" and "public shaming". (Consider Steve King!) I believe the qualifications of any individual seeking public office should involve, in addition to policy issues, character issues. The best way to ensure leaders of character is to question them on past statements, actions, and patterns of behavior.

People running for or elected to public office are accountable to "We the People". There is absolutely no doubt or question that trump's character is anathema to both Christian virtue and to the vision of the Founders concerning the necessity for virtuous character. As polls show trump is supported by the vast majority of Christians/Evangelicals, and one of the main defenses of that support is "we are not electing a pastor". The election of trump is more a reflection of "We the People", Christian or otherwise, as to the state of the nation.

The truth in "for all have sinned" does not give license to those who without remorse continue to act in such an ongoing manner...