Christians and political issues...
Should Christians really get involved in political issues? It is a question that I have always wondered about. It seems like our faith and our politics are not supposed to mix, at least according to the pundits of our culture. Presidential candidates, for example, are famous for going on record saying that they do not let their personal religion affect their public duties. Thomas Jefferson said there should be a “wall of separation” between the church and the government. So, what is a Christian to do? Two excellent books, which have helped inform my thinking on this question, are Chuck Colson’s Kingdoms and Conflict and How Now Shall We Live? (co-written with Nancy Pearcy).Colson cogently argues for what great Christian thinkers for centuries have thought. Augustine, for example, wrote we are citizens of both the city of God and the city of man. We have a dual citizenship. As members of the city of God, we need to set our mind and heart on things above. We need to be less temporal in our thinking, and more eternal in our mindset. However, we are not to neglect our role in the city of man. We are to be godly citizens in society. We are to live out our Biblical worldview in such a way as to bring God’s righteousness and truth to bear on the ideas that shape our society. Sometimes that involves speaking with moral clarity in the public forum, even on issues that are “political”.
The most critical moral issue being debated in our culture is the role and purpose of marriage. There are those in this country who want to deconstruct and re-interpret what God meant by marriage. This God-ordained institution is God’s design for families, and families are the building blocks of societies. Sadly, the church has been largely silent on this issue, preferring to stay out of politics. It is no time for silence. It is time for the church, and that means all of us in the church, to speak God’s truth into a morally confused culture.
Christians need to obey Christ’s command to be salt and light, and courageously speak the truth about an institution that God established and blessed. Political or not, silence is not an option.
2 Comments:
La Shawn,
I too struggle with this issue. My post is largely preaching to myself ;-). I have sat on the sidelines for years, not willing to get involved in the marketplace of ideas. For one, I don't like confrontations. Secondly, politics always seemed so tainted. So, like many Christians, I kept my faith private except for occasionally witnessing when the Lord gave me an opportunity. I always steered away from political discussions.
I realize now that I need to learn how to find a balance. Retreating from culture is not only a bad idea, it is unbiblical. We have a cultural commission from Genesis 1 and 2 which is still in effect. We are to live out our worldview and create culture, and work toward restraining evil. The key is how we do this. Flaming liberals is not the way to go. I struggle in this area, to my shame.
The way to engage is with humility, gentleness and words seasoned with grace. And, we need to live out the gospel, not just preach it.
Thanks for your comment.
Soli Deo Gloria
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