Christianity Today has an interview up with Michael Gerson, former Bush speechwriter and one of Time’s 25 most influential evangelicals, about Christians and politics. You may or may not agree with some of his politics, but it’s hard to argue against ideas like this:
I think there are lots and lots of young people, in their 20s to 40s, who are very impatient with older models of social engagement like those used by the Religious Right. They understand the importance of the life issues and the family issues, but they know the concern for justice has to be broader and global. At least a good portion of the evangelical movement is looking for leaders who have a broader conception of social justice.
Gerson cites AIDS outreach and African ministry in general as areas in which evangelicals have adopted more productive political strategies in recent years.
He makes a number of other similar points, including some commentary on where the Religious Right went wrong in its engagement of the political realm. Gerson’s remarks are not terribly revolutionary, but they form part of a general meme that I’m pleased to see taking root in speeches, books, and blogs from the evangelical world: being a Christian citizen means active involvement with politics and the issues of the day, but in a way that keeps our priorities in line and steers clear of blind partisanship.
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July 28, 2006 at 22:59
Thanks for drawing attention to the CT interview. However, I think the most important Gerson quote was one you did not pick up.
“It’s probably a long-term mistake for evangelicals to be too closely associated with any ideology or political party. The Christian teaching on social justice stands in judgment of every party and every movement. It has to be an authentic and independent witness.”
I believe he’s absolutely right. The church must be independent of any political allegiance. It cannot be the handmaiden of any political party. Christian involvement in social issues should carry the weight of God’s truth rather than a political platform.
It seems to me that much of Christian involvement in politics is far to narrow – informed by political partisanship rather than biblical truth. It needs to care about opposing racism as well as abortion, poverty as well as homosexuality.
IMHO, a broader, biblically informed political engagement will lead in a God glorifying way rather than follow a narrow partisan platform.
July 29, 2006 at 09:11
I have always had a problem with American nationalism and this new found post-11.SEP.2001 patriotism. I have never thought that this country was christian in any way. Our founding fathers were representative of belief systems that spanned the spectrum of church attendee to atheist, in most cases, narrowly tolerating the restrictiveness of the interpretation of the righteous way of the Lord in thier day. It was primarily why they legislated religious tolerance. Otherwise, christians then would not have been at liberty to so much as own a bible.
It’s why I tend to appreciate a true separation of church and state. I will render unto Cearsar what the state requires. It’s my civic obligation as a citizen. But I don’t want the church to be entangled with the state, influencing the workings of policy in any way, lest we become the whore riding the beast. State policy is not the work of the Bride for which Christ is one day returning. The Kingdom of God is not of this world. Therefore, His Bride needs to keep her garments unspotted from the filth of the world. The Church need not habitually flirt with the powers of this world for any special favors or influence. Christ wants His Bride to remain faithful to Him, not to capriciously seek a high place in the eyes of the world. To set policy in the world’s corrupt government system that is antichrist and anathema is for Christ’s Betrothed to sully the purity of her garment of betrothed righteousness, rendering her unfit to marry her KING when he returns.
July 29, 2006 at 23:26
Penny,
While it is true that we as Christians should be faithful to God and Christ, it does not mean we should hover in the corner with our mouths shut while everyone around us decides public policy. We have been doing that for the past few years, and from what I’ve seen the results haven’t been very good. Our first job is go into the world and make disciples who are to become productive members in the body of Christ. And should one of those members be a good politician, who are we to stop them. We are called to different things in the body of Christ, and that includes politicians. Do you really want Joe Agnostic representing you in Congress? It is intellectual dishonesty to tell someone, “Hey you can serve the government, but leave that Christian stuff at the door.” Would you ask the same of the Jew, Buddhist, or Muslim? Also, the first amendment does not actually use the words “separation of church and state.” Those words came from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a Christian group. The first amendment was meant to protect the church from the state, not the other way around. It is foolish to think a government can survive without the protection of God’s hand. How many times did God send prophets to the people and often to the king himself and warn of coming destruction if they did not repent? As Christians, are we not to be messengers as well? So what if the message is unpopular. Christ died for us, we can withstand a bit of ridicule.
July 30, 2006 at 16:25
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus declared that “My kingdom is not of this world.” Therefore, if we consider ourselves to be “a member of his kingdom” (that is our first citizenship) with that citizenship come the primary responsibilities to “love God,” and to “love your neighbor.” Similarly, Micah points out (6:8) that we are to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly.” These commands (this responsibility of the follower of God) transend time and culture.
A Christian alive today in the United States, however, finds himself with a nearly historically unique opportunity. Unlike the vast majority of our Christian forefathers, we have the civic responsibility/opportunity to become active in the public policy making process. Many of us do become involved, and that is good.
Yet all too often, it seems to me, we do so at the expense of our primary responsibilities as Christians, as Citizens of Christ’s Kingdom. We satiate our guilt with political activisim while ignoring our neighbor, who is desparately seeking meaning and solace in this world that is destined for destruction. It’s often easier for us to join some political movement and feel that we are serving God, then it is to stand in the gap for a desparate aquaintance.
Culture and society are not affected by external force. We change who and what America is and shall be one life at a time.
Vote and be otherwise active politically as you see fit, but never abandon your primary, individual responsibility as a member of Christ’s Kingdom.
July 31, 2006 at 10:48
This is a topic I’ve been wrestling with lately, and have come up short of conclusions as to how anyone could simultaneously and in good conscience, bear the name “Christian” while fervently aligning themselves with any political party/ideology. This to me, completely misses the point of the Gospel, and our role as heralds of its mesage. I am only superficially beholden to a passing, earthly cadre of sin-corrupted leaders, leaders who entertain the delusion that they’re actually in charge of things. The death and resurrection Christ brings about a death, resurrection and revolution of the heart, which in turn should translate into revolution in the streets, in our relationships. If people, including me, were actually convinced of, and utterly staggered by, the the Christ of G-d who walked the earth—whose kingdom is not of this world—then it’s silly to expect anything of the government—any government.Is there continuity between the rule of G-d and the rule of man?
July 31, 2006 at 17:50
Lets not forget, God established His political system on Earth with Him as the King, the Priests as administrators, then the Judges to hear cases of the law. Some have likened this to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our own government, and say that our government was modeled on God’s original idea, but originally God handed down the law; it was not created by the Levites or the Judges (per se).
I don’t recall anyone ever calling themself an “evangelical Republican” but has that been the case? Surely, our God is too big for any party. We are Christians first. We stand for God and Christ. If something our preferred political party is not backing does not pass our “discernment” test then we should say so. Then again there are “Christian” churches which formally and officially support abortion, though they refer to it as “choice.” One “Christian” organization filed an amicus brief in one of the abortion cases before the US Supreme Court earlier this year claiming to represent 44 million Christians in favor of “choice.” I hardly think they represent that number, but this organization is headed by an ordained minister of a major Protestant sect. Personally, I think his “discernment meter” is broken.
Read the Bible. Learn the meaning and the spirit of the word. Then use that to help shape the world around you into something God would want it to be. I think that’s what Jesus would do. And yes, I consider Jesus to be one of the greatest civil revolutionaries in human history. He stood by his convictions unto death. He did not sell out his ideals at any time. He is the model we should live up to.
August 2, 2006 at 08:12
I agree entirely that we as Christians are in this world not of it. The Old Testament is filled with examples of God using His people in a political way for His glory. Take the story of Joseph, for example. We are commissioned to take care of his creation/environment. IMHO, the Church (Christians) should be actively involved in these things but should be careful not to side with any one party or one issue.
August 3, 2006 at 07:39
It is a great mistake when the christians take an attitude of isolation from exercising their political rights. I am not for a christian theocratic government, but a political system that will keep the majority rule and freedom for every person.
Though, majority of the Americans believe in a personal God, some of the legislations enacted by the federal government and state government are anti-God. It is mainly due to the luckwarm
and irresponsible attitude taken by the majority
christians.
When the legislations seems anti-christian and anti-God; we get agitated, and take actions to
change the legislations. Had we exercised our rights earlier, we could have avoided the secondary actions which are more painful.
Every American must make use of his political rights because whatever happens in America is not only applicable in this country alone, but the whole world.