POPULIST? IDEOLOGUE? WHAT???

Tomorrow, the “Ides of March,” will be one of the most important days in this political season as the people of some key states will vote.  The voters of these states may, very possibly, determine the 2 candidates we will vote for in November.  During this “hotly” contested Primary, we have heard the words POPULIST AND IDEOLOGUE.  To most people, those words mean absolutely nothing and sail past their ears and over their heads, but maybe we should be very concerned with those 2 words and how they can affect our country and our lives.

A POPULIST is defined as a “supporter of the rights and power of the people.  POPULISM is a doctrine that appeals to the interests and conceptions (hopes and fears) of the general population.  A POPULIST is often described as FLEXIBLE or PRAGMATIC.

An IDEOLOGUE is defined as an often partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology.  IDEOLOGY is a collection of doctrines or beliefs shared by members of a group.  It is a set of ideas which make up one’s beliefs, goals, expectations and motivations.  An IDEOLOGUE may be referred to as RIGID or INTOLERANT.

Now that we’ve defined the two words, let us look at a couple of examples in the Word of God.

Mark 15:12-15 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged him, to be crucified.

Pilate wanted to keep his position so he appealed to the people.  The majority voices were heard and Pilate, pragmatically sentenced Jesus to be crucified. 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

I am not labeling Jesus an IDEOLOGUE because He DID NOT follow a collection of doctrines or beliefs, He ESTABLISHED the doctrine or belief; JESUS IS TRUTH.  His followers, however, could be said to be IDEOLOGUES because they/we are unbending in our adherence to the DOCTRINE established by Him.  Often we are referred to as RIGID and INTOLERANT but how do you deal PRAGMATICALLY or how can one be FLEXIBLE with TRUTH?

Now it isn’t always “bad” to be PRAGMATIC nor is it always “good” to be RIGID.  We can pragmatically handle a situation without distorting truth and we can stand strong on our core principles and still be flexible, it is called MERCY.

This is a concise, incomplete discussion of a POPULIST vs. an IDEOLOGUE.   You can judge the candidates by the message that most closely matches your own view points.  The most important thing you can do before you vote tomorrow is PRAY.  After praying, GO VOTE!