Brad Hightower at 21st Century Reformation asks “what if Jesus had played politics better?”
Jesus lived perfectly aware of political realities, and He refused to play politics and actually intentionally surfaced the sinfulness and selfish motives of those in political power. For example, Jesus knew he had conflict in Jerusalem and knew that if he surfaced the hypocrisy of the political elite, they would crucify Him. Jesus predicted this outcome. So what did He do? Jesus fearlessly pressed the issue and rode into Jerusalem. He went straight to the temple, turned over the tables, and said, “You greedy money-changers have made my Father’s house into a den of robbers. My Father’s house shall be a house of prayer for all ethnicities.”
Hightower focuses on Jesus’ refusal to “just keep quiet” about the sins of those who might have otherwise made powerful worldly allies.
To me, what is most interesting about this is that Jesus never made effective use of the existing power structures to make his ministry more “successful.” When I think about Jesus not playing politics, I picture more than just his refusal to compromise with key influential individuals. I think about the way he always seemed to confound expectations in the way he went about his life. Jesus went out of his way to avoid using “official” human systems to spread his teachings. His ministry was a true “word of mouth” campaign—it wasn’t backed by the existing religious system, by the government, or by the myriad movements and factions of the day—even though tapping into those systems might have increased the reach or worldly influence of his message.
This raises a lot of questions, many of which we’ve discussed here at TC in the past. Are we missing something in looking for the “most effective” evangelism opportunities? Is there something inherently corrupting about “systems,” even when they’re well-intentioned? If Jesus were here today, would he use blogs, movies, and churches to spread his message? Or would he avoid the most obvious or conventional means of ministry in favor of something else, as he seemed to do in the New Testament? Am I misunderstanding the way that Jesus went about his ministry?
I’m just thinking aloud here. What this means for us today is of course the subject of eternal debate, but even if we can’t agree on how to apply this aspect of Jesus’ life, it nevertheless seems a crucial part of his ministry.
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June 27, 2006 at 20:51
Thoughtful post, Andy, and I appreciate it. Some thoughts…
Paul preached on Mars Hill, he preached in prison, too. He gave his testimony before astounded believers in Damascus, he witnessed to almost persuaded officials in Rome. To runaway slaves and before powerful politicians, he spoke of the risen Christ Who saved his soul. So yes—learn and use as many methods, big and small, as you can—but tell this lost and dying world there is a heaven to be gained, a horrifying judgment to be shunned.
“If Jesus were here today, would he use blogs, movies, and churches to spread his message?” Of course He would: Jesus is here, you know. His body is the church (so He definitely does use that “means”), and His promise is that by our love for each other a lost world will know we are His.
He said that as we do whatever we do to the least of His brethren, we’ve done it to Him.
So perhaps the question isn’t about politics at all, but how did we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ today?
Finally, I do think systems are inherently corrupting, because they tend to manipulation. People are won by the Holy Spirit—Someone Who can never be manufactured. And as Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion on them, fed them, ministered to them, so must we, in the Holy Spirit’s power. So too Jesus saw each individual one of us and changed our lives; now each of us must “Go… and make disciples of all nations…” in the Holy Spirit’s power. In doing so, we will be accomplishing the Great Task appointed to us.
June 28, 2006 at 11:26
I absolutely agree with Brad’s conclusions. I see it in church leadership, especially on the regional and national levels, to a point that it is sickening. The gospel has been watered down because we don’t want anyone to go away with hurt feelings lest they not return with their checkbooks next week. So we embrace the sinner but ignore the sin. We basically spread the message that sin is no longer relevant, only that we remain happy little glad-handers on Sunday mornings.
I disagree with him, however, concerning the general message about Jesus not being political. Politics has taken on a connotation which equates it to lies and double-speak. True, many politicians are that way. But politics deals with the governance of the people. If we are talking about our King of Kings, Lord of Lords, we are talking about our true leader.
We cannot and should not separate church from state because God set things up with his children Israel to be a theocracy with himself as the ruler and the tabernacle his capitol. We perverted it by demanding a human king instead of judges. But, like the US Constitution, nowhere in the Bible is there anything stating that there should be a separation of church and state. Contrary to that, God’s plan was for the church to be the state, and all of us to be members of the church. And since governance regulates how we, as individuals, act within society, Jesus was ultimately political because he reiterated God’s law, but taught us to realize that we are all sinners in need of redemption and should forgive others for their trespasses as we expect others to forgive us.
A final thought; like with Pilate, you could easily say that the Sanhedrin was made of the leaders God had allowed to be there, some of them were simply abusing the power bestowed on them by an omniscient and omnipotent God.
June 28, 2006 at 11:32
Good questions. Here’s another: Does our reliance on the internet, movies, radio, etc. make us less likely to speak to the world face-to-face? That is what Jesus did, it is what Paul did, and it is where we are lacking. (I am the world’s worst, so don’t think I’m being critical.) I suppose we need to look at whether or not our “most effective evangelism opportunities” are really the “most effective” if they do not allow for eye contact.
As for power structures, it is my opinion that the religious right has destroyed our credibility with their reliance on politics. The world now sees Christians in a negative light because “we” have used heavy-handed political tactics to try to get what “we” want. Now the world sees us as bullies who cry “no-fair” when we don’t get our way, and that is not at all what Christ would have wanted. I think he knew that using the world’s systems would lead to problems, so he relied on individuals to share the gospel.
It’s funny to me that we are continually surprised at how God works through such small things, and how our big things seem to get messed up.
June 28, 2006 at 14:33
Fearless! That’s the word that comes to mind. I think of all the laws passed today to restrict the church. What would the world be like if Wycliff and Huss had obeyed the law. No Bible?
It doesn’t surprise me that politiv\cians try to restrict the pulpit. What surprises me are how many pulpits will remain silent becuase of a law!!!!
June 28, 2006 at 22:12
“As for power structures, it is my opinion that the religious right has destroyed our credibility with their reliance on politics. The world now sees Christians in a negative light because “we” have used heavy-handed political tactics to try to get what “we” want.”
Of course we all realize that Bill Clinton is a professing Christian, too. Is our credibility destroyed by “the religious right” or does an unbelieving world simply find Christians who “confess Christ with their lips and then deny Him with their lives—unbelievable” (Brennan Manning, as heard on the Jesus Freak cd by DC Talk). Would someone please clear up the confusion. ‘Cos I keep hearing about the political power of the Christian right along with all its supposed deleterious effects, led by a man who has practiced what he’s preached for decades, meanwhile serial adulterers in the actual positions of power who deny Christ with their lives and abuse that power, are justified. I understand compassion, ya’ll…not casting the first stone and all that…but what about common sense? Why, if politics are brought up, are the “religious right” slammed? Where is the indignation regarding Jesus’ holy calling being slogged in the mud by leftists?
June 28, 2006 at 23:01
During Jesus’ first sojourn here on earth, His task was not to set up a earthly kingdom. Rather, it was to reconcile us to the Father through His death and resurrection. The Bible tells us He will one day rule and reign on this earth.
The Scripture tells us when He returns the second time that every eye will see Him. With our satellite technology today, this is possible. It wasn’t in ancient times. Technology is about the method used to effectively spread the Gospel and get the job done.
I am sorrowful to see people blasting, “the religious right.” They are diligently seeking to preserve your right to worship and speak out freely. And let’s not forget, they are part of the Body of Christ. Instead of allowing the media to define them, why not do some research on their positions for yourself? They are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Bravo Keith for your post.
Anna
June 29, 2006 at 05:51
Hello everybod…I’m from holland so first of all I’m sorry for the lack of good words/sentences.
Reading all the questions and answers, I thought that I (or the Bible/Holy Spirit) could add some notions.
First of all; why didn’t Jesus play politics…well in short “He is the King of His kingdom, so the he played politics”. The funny thing is that his politics are for the people (like thruth democracy/theocracy) and not for the the governement. The government (so called ‘pious’ people) should lead the people on the right way, but the only statesman who did that was Jesus (and students). Jesus played politics the way it should be: open, honest, direct and helping by selfsexpense (sacrifice). The government of that time didn’t deny themselves (repundiation), but preserved themselves instead.
Second of all; the church is sick…
A conclusion drawn from some lectures in church: The head of the church are not the elders/ministers but Jesus Christ (the body of Christ). That means that Jesus thinks! and we do! In Catholic churches the pope is the head of the church, something that Jesus did not meant. If there isn’t a right contact between the body and the head it is just a dead corpse. If the leaders/church is sick it is because there is not a right contact between Jesus/God/Spirit and the people.
Despite this given/fact Jesus keeps on pulling people from the death to life.
My problem is this: Imagine that you are listening in church to you minister and another is going to speek and says: I am the Son of God… How many people would say: “that man doesn’t know what he is saying”. What I try to say is that if Jesus would live in our time, it would be very confrontating…could you believe a Man who says to be the Son of God? That takes a God to prove that to your soul.
Would we play politics or would we play gospel?
June 29, 2006 at 12:06
Jesus was the best evangelist known to man. He was great while He was on the earth. However, he was limited. He couldn’t be everywhere at the same time. As a result, there was only so much He could do and so many people He could reach at a particular point in time.
Because of technological advancement, we do not have the same limitations. We have the internet, we have satellites, we have cable, we have mass produced books, etc. We can take the message of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth in whatever form is necessary.
He walked, used boats and rode donkeys. Should we limit ourselves to walking, using boats and riding donkeys? No! In the same way, even though word of mouth is great, it’s the 21st century and we can do better than that.
Jesus is no longer on the earth but He sent the Holy Spirit so He can live through all of us. We can’t do things exactly the way He did them, we can do better. He started this whole thing and it’s our job to finish it. He did His part now we need to do ours. We should spread the gospel face to face but we should also use every available avenue.
June 29, 2006 at 16:53
“If Jesus were here today, would he use blogs, movies, and churches to spread his message? Or would he avoid the most obvious or conventional means of ministry in favor of something else, as he seemed to do in the New Testament?”
Jesus eschewed politics, synagogue ministry, force, entertainment, flowery oration and conventional means of persuasion in favor of public healing demonstrations. Skilled public oration was the common method of spreading new philosophies in Jesus day. What was the difference with Jesus? We focus on the oratorical beauty of the beatitudes, but when you read carefully, Jesus drew the great crowd with his healing miracles. Only after He had their awed attention and credibility, did He begin to preach. “Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon ,who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all. Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, God blesses you who are poor.”
The simple formula for spreading His message was Healing Evangelism. “But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”
His 12 apostles were Healing Evangelists. “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.”
The followers of Jesus, the 70 disciples were Healing Evangelists. “and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
Jesus promised that after being filled with the Holy Spirit that we ought to be Healing Evangelists. He said that signs of healing and deliverance would follow those who believed. Mark confirms this by saying “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied it.”
The early church of common folk prayed, “Give your servants great boldness in their preaching. Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Ordinary believers were Healing Evangelists, like Philip. “The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing”
In Africa, Latin America and around the world the gospel is spreading like wildfire house to house and in public open air meetings through the simple faith of believers who preach a message of salvation accompanied by a demonstration of healing and deliverance.That’s how Jesus and the early church ministered and we would have similar results if we would as well. What a technique, huh?
June 29, 2006 at 20:59
Rick, you are right that Jesus authenticated His claim of Messiahship by healing, but I think “healing evangelism” is an invalid methodology for Christians. Signs, miracles and wonders were for a specific group—unbelieving Jews—to separate the wheat from the chaff of Israel during the days Christ was on earth. In His compassion the Lord healed some Gentiles as well, but godly saints through the ages (and many alive right now) are suffering physical, mental and emotional anguish because of their faith, not due to lack of it.
Most are saved without accoutrement of physical healing, even those who are disabled and remain disabled after receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.
Do some speak in tongues? Do inexplicable events, too providential to be passed off as kismet, happen? Does the Lord in His sovereignity heal some physically? Yes, but these are the exceptions, not the rule, of salvation. The rule is “By grace are ye saved through faith”...And “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Like Paul, Apollos, and the other early church saints, we sow seed and we water seed, which is, as the Lord Jesus said in His parable of the sower, “the Word of God.” By this seed incorruptible we are born again and by this seed the fruit of the Spirit is cultivated in our lives.
June 30, 2006 at 11:19
Christiane:
I agree with some of what you say, however, I was responding to Andy’s question, “If Jesus were here today, would he use blogs, movies, and churches to spread his message? Or would he avoid the most obvious or conventional means of ministry in favor of something else, as he seemed to do in the New Testament? Am I misunderstanding the way that Jesus went about his ministry?”
I think a fair reading of the gospels would characterize Jesus as a healing evangelist. He wasn’t about legislating Christianity through government or conducting inoffensive seeker-friendly services. His method was to preach the kingdom and heal in impropmtu open air gatherings. This healing evangelism ministry didn’t end with Jesus. It didn’t end with his 12 apostles. It didn’t end with the 70 disciples. It did not end with His departure from earth. It continued with Peter and John and with average Christians like the deacon Philip. And years later we see Paul ministering for 2 years in the Hall of Tyrannus in Greek city of Ephesus (actually Turkey) where Luke says “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.” This was the normal mode of first century evangelism. Paul says to the Corinthians “and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” Paul sparked another revival among the Greeks and Romans when shipwrecked on the island of Malta “As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were cured.”
The New Testament is replete with healing promises. James asks “Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” There are no conditions here specifying one must be Jewish. The only conditions given are 1. One must ask. 2. Church elders must pray. 3. It must be prayed in earnest with faith by a righteous person.
In American Cultural Christianity somehow we have things reversed. We believe sickness is good because God gives it to us to build character. We believe healing is bad, not to be talked about in polite Christian circles, carnal and superstitious. Jesus couldn’t do any healing in His home town either because of their over-familiarity with Him. The poor and unchurched people of the third world countries read the Bible without our sophisticated theological filters, act in simple faith and the result is unprecedented revival.
June 30, 2006 at 14:03
I find it interesting that Brad used the scripture, “You greedy money-changers have made my Father’s house into a den of robbers.”
Doesn’t this apply to most, if not all, of the megachurches in existence today. It seems to me also that praise music is approaching Showtime at the Apollo.
It seems like wer’re only going through the motions which society is going down, down, down.
And don’t think the politicians won’t be visiting the megachurches this fall to get their constituency to continue the madness in Washington.
June 30, 2006 at 15:24
Paul wrote to Timothy, “Take a little wine for thine infirmity’s sake…”
Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be taken away, and it wasn’t.
Are you saying that a person with MS, for example, who comes to saving faith in Christ, is not really saved if they continue to have MS after trusting Christ? What about the person who gets cancer—after salvation?
James 5:15 is literally ”...[A]nd the prayer offered in faith will SAVE the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, IT will be forgiven him.”
I Peter 2:24 quotes Isaiah: ”...[B]y His wounds you were healed.”
The healing spoken of in the Scriptures for believers is, aside from demonstrating the Lord’s Messiahship, always in terms of Spiritual wholeness. It is not an evangelistic method, although the Lord may see fit to use it to glorify His Son here and abroad.
July 2, 2006 at 13:48
Of course the person who has MS who is gloriously saved! Wow, that wouldn’t even begin to enter my mind?! I love Joni Erickson and everyone who perseveres through physical illness. I bow before her level of faith. What a testimony. Still, generally we see that God was a healing God in the Old Testament and the New. There are exceptions. Paul was amazed that he wasn’t healed. He didn’t ask once, he asked 3 times. After being used to minister healing so dramatically to Jews, Greeks, Romans and natives, God for some reason didn’t heal him! Paul asked for an answer because it was so unusual and remarkable. The answer was that Paul had actually visited the third heavan, had revelations, heard secrets and words that no other human had, so God allowed this thorn to “keep him from exalting himself”. God generally heals in response to prayer and if He doesn’t, He tells us why as He did Paul. By far, the greatest miracle of all is the healing of a sin-sick soul, but Jesus loves us Body, soul and spirit. We are not gnostics, Jesus became flesh, dwelt among us, forgave our sins and healed our bodies as well. I have been a Christian for 36 years and I have been healed of a severe heart ailment 5 years ago, discharged from the hospital and totally suprising the cardiologist (and me) after my parents laid hands on me and asked the Lord to heal me. I have had a smashed, broken elbow healed in the Doctors office with x-rays showing before and after. Mark 16:18, “they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” Just as God appointed missionarys, teachers, helpers and admistrators he gave to the church gifts of healing 1st Cor. 12:28. Let’s not spiritualize His miracles away.
July 2, 2006 at 21:14
I appreciate your testimony, Brother Rick. Joni is refreshing. She is a great & wonderful witness, isn’t she?
Ma Carroll, you sound heartbroken over our nation’s increasingly godless course. I am with you over that, but must admit I am grateful to God for the 10,000 member churches as well as the 100 member churches. God has used both to bless & minister to me & my loved ones.
And I want to share that I have 3 daughters, each one likes music from Brooks & Dunn to Radiohead, so I’ve heard quite a swath of recent music, and the Christian music is phenomenal. Chris Rice, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Fernando Ortega, MercyMe, FFH, DC Talk, Nicole C. Mullins, etc.—I mean it is excellent.
Yesterday I went to Kentucky to visit my family, and my unsaved brother, who is a guitarist, had gotten a cd by a Christian artist because she was so good. Believe me, he’s ultra-finicky when it comes to choosing a cd. And then he began talking to me (I play a little guitar, too) about how excellent Phil Keaggy’s musicianship is. Wow! That was an open door to talk about Ravi Zacharias & Philip Yancey with him—he had never heard of either one of these wonderful Christian writers, but said I could send him their books.
God bless you, Ma Carroll.
July 4, 2006 at 09:40
I’m sending this from my home in the UK, where a purportedly Christian Prime Minister has actually done very little to stand up and be counted, or to protect the rights of others to profess their faith. We have narrowly avoided several legislative changes which could (for example) have made it illegal to evangelise. Of course, people will go ahead and preach the gospel anyway…
I wanted to join the debate about HOW we spread the word. I would say two things: first, that I don’t think there is automatically a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ way; it surely depends on who is in front of you and what your gifts and opportunities are. But we would all do well, I think, to remember St Francis of Assisi’s advice: “Preach the Gospel constantly and, if necessary, use words.” The best thing we can do is not hide our light under the table, but let our deeds speak for us.
July 5, 2006 at 09:36
Is not “Go and preach the gospel into all the world”
an unconventional commandment? There is no explanation on how to accomplish this. Is not the fact that people get saved in megachurches, house churches, street corners, jungles and hospitals ‘unconventional’? Some people need structure in their evangelism and some just need the right moment. I say, as John S stated, let us use the gifts and opportunites that He has blessed us with to His Glory whatever way it leads you.
As to the ‘playing politics’, I have only one response and it is borrowed…”All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
July 6, 2006 at 08:38
I’m not going to become a Christian because I see someone on TV or the web selling it’s benefits. I’m going to because people around me or events in my life have pointed me in that direction.
There is something destructive in “systems” – they restrict the way we should respond. For me, the most telling difference is that Jesus didn’t decide to set up a book publishing industry and sell copies of “What is missing in YOUR life” or “How to really be a Christian”. Oh no sah. His teaching was free (none of this ‘pay to attend an event’), he dealt with people.
If our evangelism isn’t working, it’s because we have got too sidetracked into using media – and making money in the process. The whole Christian Industry needs a table-turning-in-the-temple moment to shake it up. Just what is being achieved?
July 6, 2006 at 21:59
I agree with you partially, Peter; Jesus dealt with people and didn’t make them pay to come to a saving knowledge of Himself.
However, His ministry was financed; he was betrayed by His treasurer, which means there was money involved at some level; and many women who followed Him ministered to Him out of their substance. Scriptures teach us that if we are going to listen to a minister, then we ought to minister right back to his needs. That doesn’t euate to a Mercedes & a mansion, gaudy gold trappings, pennies for promised prayers. It does mean that we support pastors & missionaries just as the Apostle Paul was supported by the churches.
Having said that, I understand that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness therein, the world and they that dwell in it. If we can support a missionary, a church, the Lord’s work in any capacity, it is because the Lord gifts us to do so. It is a privilege, not something we do because some cosmic killjoy forces us to.
It is no sin to be wise stewards of the ministry of grace, whether the Lord calls us to be faithful with our treasures, time, or talents.
And Toni, the Burke comment is true but…since there are no “good” people except the Lord, perhaps it is more to the point to say that all that is really necessary for evil to triumph is for saved people to do nothing.
“Ye are the light of the world…”
July 7, 2006 at 07:11
Thank you Toni R. That was beautiful. When people start arguing one type of worship service over another, I just try to remember that people worship God every day all over the world without the benefit of hymns or praise music.
I’m sorry that I made so many people angry with my earlier comment. I happen to be part of the religious right, myself. I just don’t like how, after years of the church controlling western society with our Blue Laws and “scarlet letters”, now we are upset when society rebels. We expect the world to conform, but the Bible clearly tells us that they won’t. So, why should we try to use politics to make them conform? I’m not talking about giving up our right to worship, I’m just talking about how we expect the world to live.
July 14, 2006 at 07:43
To the original post…
I think you make a great point. The Bible says they will know we are Christians by our love. Not by our web pages, political connections, or blogs. While communication is always beneficial, and salvation can occur via a televised Billy Graham telethon, at the end of the day it is the church body that makes or breaks the difference.
As for politics, this one always amuses me since the New Testament speaks to this. In Romans 13:1-7: 1 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. 4 For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks.
7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
I think people have a hard time with this, but you need to remember Paul was writing about Rome! A government that persecuted the church far worse than we have today! I personally believe that if we focus on trusting God with our leadership, praying for them deligently. We allow ourselves the freedom to focus on the gospel and spreading the good news. We get into trouble when we try to take control of something that is clearly in God’s hands for His purposes.