September 30, 2019 (Monday)
(Disclaimer: This blog is about a constitutional process. It is NOT about any person, anywhere, anyhow!)
Does the news about possible impeachment of the president have anything to do with me? Aside from the immediate issue, what is required of me as a Christian, according to God’s holy word? James Dennison suggests two things I need to do: One: We are called to pray for our leaders and God expects us to respect their office (1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV*). This principle applies to leaders of both parties across the political spectrum. If they are in public office, they are to receive our intercession. Two: We are to speak truth in ways that glorify God and advance the common good. This is a perpetual command from the Lord (Ephesians 4:29 NCV**). Such speech will be a powerful witness in these polarizing days.
Now, as to the process of impeachment, I want to share a quotation from Alexander Hamilton, as he wrote in Federalist 65:
A well-constituted court for the trial of impeachments is an object not more to be desired than difficult to be obtained in a government wholly elective. The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. They are of a nature which may with peculiar propriety be denominated POLITICAL, as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself. The prosecution of them, for this reason, will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, and to divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. In many cases it will connect itself with the pre-existing factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other; and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.
The key sentence, for me, is the one that says, “There will always be the greatest danger that the decision (to impeach) will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.”
The entire impeachment process, it seems to me, is unnecessary when it affects elected officials. I understand the necessity of impeaching judges appointed for life, if they have committed impeachable offenses, but the ballot box is where the people decide whether or not an elected official may continue in office. Meanwhile, let everyone, elected or not, be subject to the same civil and criminal laws.
It seems to me that the impeachment process itself is not good for the country. Of course, I know that no one is being impeached right now, that impeachment is only under study, but even that process does not contribute to our well being–it only upsets us, no matter whose side we may think we are on.
______________________________________________________________________________
*First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV).
**When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you (Ephesians 4:29 NCV).