November 27, 2006
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Before we delve into the meat of this blog, let’s first review some definitions (my wording) that you may have forgotten since civics class:
- Theocracy: literally a “God Rules” government; this is a government where a religion sets the rules.
- Democracy: literally a “People Rules” government; while there are different levels of democracy (direct and representative are two), this is a government where the people set the rules.
- Christianity is the one true faith.
- God judges wicked nations.
1. Christianity is a “religion” that revolves around Jesus Christ (literally “Savor King“). Jesus was/is the human form that God the Son took on when He came to Earth. He came, lived a perfect life (no sin), willingly died on a Roman cross under Jewish pressure to pay the sin debt owed by the human race, and rose from the dead by His own power on the third day. Jesus as God the Son is the Sovereign Creator who is infinite in power, wisdom, and righteousness. He wasn’t “just another good man.” A careful study of His life will reveal Him to be one of the following: a liar, a lunatic, or Lord God Almighty. There is really no in-between ground. That being said, you can see that I do not take my faith as "just another religion that helps me be a good person and, if I do my best at it, then God will let me into Heaven." For:
10. [L]et it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."(Acts 4:10-12)
I think that it is clearly evident that I am not passive in my faith. I also do not believe that all religions will take you to Heaven, if one is only good enough. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” In fact, a person that is without Jesus’ forgiveness of sins is doomed to an eternity in Hell. This is required by God’s infinite righteousness previously mentioned. Either wrongs are made right or they are not. Sins must be paid for. If a person rejects Jesus’ payment, then that person must bear that payment him or herself.
2. Throughout history, God has been faithful to judge wicked nations. Numerous examples from the Old Testament can found: Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, Egypt, and Babylon to name a few. God says and demonstrates that He will judge wicked nations. I argue that America has been so richly blessed with affluence, peace, military might, freedom, natural resources, technology, etc., etc., precisely due to our Christian faith. As more and more Americans turn from God, I can only imagine what the consequence will be.
3. From points 1. and 2. you might be surprised to learn that I do not believe that it is the government’s role to ensure that everyone has a personal, saving relationship with Jesus, God the Son. I do not believe that it is the role of the government to decide which religion is the correct one or to outlaw religious activity. (I would certainly be against an Islamic government making it difficult for me to worship how I see fit. Why would I want to impose religious hardships on others?) Furthermore, I do not believe that it is the government’s role to outlaw evil acts that are committed against oneself or against another with mutual consent even though these very acts could eventually bring judgment from God against America. I do believe that the Church is responsible (under the guidance and through the working of God the Holy Spirit) for spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Once a person’s sins have been forgiven, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who works in them to produce a new creature with God’s moral law written on his or her heart. This, in my opinion, is the only correct way of turning a nation’s actions around to be God honoring and thus to continue in His gracious blessings.
4 comments:
Where is the line in legislating morality? How does Natural Law figure into the equation? As Christians in American society, how should we see our responsibility both to the kingdom of Christ and this earthly kingdom? Ultimately, the direction of the United States is decided, in a historically unique way, by the people. Theoretically, anyway. So it could be argued that the best thing for Christians to do is to stay out of the politics of things and simply engage individuals with, first, the gospel, but second, the Christian worldview and the God who reveals himself both in the special revelation of the gospel and also, more importantly to the question of how a society should be ordered, in general revelation, or Natural Law. We saw in the 1st Congressional District Election that even if a righteous person runs for office with a desire to influence the country in a positive direction through the means of politics, a lack of righteous voters renders this option not viable. God as the creator made the physical world to function in a particular way. Also, the moral, spiritual, ethical world functions best when it functions in a way that is in keeping with the character of the one who created it. Our founders understood that the way things should function is revealed in Scripture and this is evidenced by the copious amounts of it that can be found in our founding documents, on our edifices and monuments, and anywhere that decisions were to be made. Things such as life, liberty, and property were seen as natural rights as much as they were revealed in scripture. Anyway, the point is that whether or not one agrees with even the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, the way a society will function well can be seen just as easily in nature because the God who revealed himself in the Bible is the God who created the world. Even if a business man who does not believe in the God of the Bible applies what are (even unbeknownst to him) biblical principles, he can expect to reap success because he is applying the principles that God intended for success. Again, it is like physics; it works because God make it that way. But freedom only works as long as the individuals regulate themselves with morality. So, we’re back to the church reaching individuals on a personal level. But what happens when it seems that the majority is silenced by a more vocal minority. What is the role of the Christian? Especially when it comes to issues of morality such as homosexuality, abortion, and slavery (back in the day). Christians were instrumental in abolishing the slave trade in the west, even though Scripture specifically says that slaves are to be obedient to their masters for the sake of Christ, that they may be won with the gospel (Eph 6:5-8; Col3:22-25). Of course, slavery is morally wrong, but what is the role of a Christian in a morally corrupt world? Is it to abolish corruption or to minister the gospel in the midst of it with the goal of reaching individuals? Should Christians use every means available to preserve a moral society or simply minister the gospel? Paul seems to teach little to no involvement in politics other than to submit to the government and do one’s best to live in peace. This is an over simplification of what is found in Romans 13. On that note, is our “emperor” anything or anyone other than the US Constitution? If I haven’t been rambling for a while, I sure am now. But this topic really does raise a lot of questions. Basically, what does a Christian do when it so hard to see such a great country going down the drain because of policies enacted against the will of the people. Part of me says revolution for the sake of truth and freedom, but part of me says its all supposed to get worse and worse and I need to focus on the Kingdom of Heaven. I look to people like William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer and all that they were able to accomplish, apparently both for God and freedom, but then I look at Paul and Peter, and wonder what they would have done in America.
Nathan,
Some good comments and questions. I have some questions back to you.
What would happen if 1) Christians stayed out of politics and 2) everyone became a Christian?
Why can't we minister the gospel while at the same time working for good public policy?
How do you think the opening verses of 1 Timothy chapter 2 affect your position? Clearly Paul wants to impact culture so as to allow the gospel to peacefully go out. His method is prayer (one I'd still recommend). Do you think that Paul would call those in public offices affect public policy? How about Ester and Ezra?
I've thought a lot about this since I first posted it.
We wouldn't want simply lying to be against the law, but clearly slander, libel, and perjuy are all against the law.
Finally, I'm less libertarian than I used to be. I recognize that the purpose behind government is not to allow freedom but to reward the good doer and punish the evil doer as Paul proclaims in Romans. Of course, freedom will still be an ideal in this system but not the primary motivating factor.
If Christians invested as much time and money in the gospel as they often do in politics, not only would it be profitable for the Kingdom of Christ, which is most important, but the voting demographic might change too. Of course that is not the reason for evangelism. If everyone became a Christian (a real one), we would still need government, but it should reflect biblical values much more than it does now.
If Christians stayed out of politics there would have been no crusades or inquisition, the Pilgrims might not have left England and they certainly would not have revolted, and the Native Americans might not have been displaced because Manifest Destiny would not have been a thing. Just kidding. But really, attempts to use Christianity to justify action by the state really have had some dire consequences. On the other hand, the involvement of Christians in politics has resulted in some great things like the abolition of slavery and the founding of this Country. I guess the difference is between when Christianity is enforced by the state and when Christianity informs the policies of the state, which I think it should. But how far can one religion go in informing the policies of a state which holds as one of its highest values the freedom of religion (Unless you’re a Christian that actually believes the Bible is God’s word). I think that’s what founders like Jefferson turned also to common and natural law, things that were true because of the nature of God, revealed by him in his world as well as in the word.
Motive may be what it comes down to when getting involved in politics. And one’s eschatology influences a desire for involvement a lot, too, whether people know it or not. If someone thinks that the church will bring in the millennial kingdom of Christ, that person will probably be very involved in influencing a nation’s course politically. This might be a Chuck Colson type. If you believe like Paul told Timothy that things will get worse and worse and then Christ will return in judgment and redemption, you will probably be less concerned with changing the political tide, knowing its inevitable direction. I think the balance I come to is that Christians ought to stand for truth publically/politically and privately, even fight for it, regardless of whether it will turn the tide or not, politically speaking. I separate the two because there are some truths that a Christian holds to that should not be reflected or enforced legislatively like your example of lying or even sexual preferences (deviations). So yes, I believe we should minister the gospel all the time, and work for good public policy while we can. But again, especially in this country, achieving good public policy is dependent upon a moral populous. Or Moral Majority. But again, that’s where it breaks down for me because the gospel is about more than being moral. George Washington said that religion and morality were the pillars of a free society(paraphrase) , but we have to go further to a changed heart through Christ. It is possible to have an unsaved yet moral citizenry. For those who just want to see the country headed in the right direction, this would be enough; but its not enough for Christ’s kingdom.
1 Tim 2 is certainly the ideal. It is difficult for me to apply Paul’s teaching regarding the state to our system today because it is so different than his. All they really could do was pray. I wonder if Paul were writing today if he would include voting and petitioning the government for a redress of grievances. The book of Judges is nothing but God’s people getting involved in politics. God’s purposes will stand and I think He has the right men and women in the right place at the right time to influence history in the direction he has laid out. As far as OT examples, right now I would prefer the example of Ehud. JK.
If Christians want to influence politics, no matter how you slice it, it comes down to engaging individual voters with the truth.
How do you define good and evil except biblically, and how is that OK in a society of religious freedom?
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