Power and the Christian Citizen
I finished a book last week called The Myth of a Christian Nation, by Gregory Boyd (for a list of books I have been/am reading click here). The basic premise of the book is an often repeated theme now days that Christians in the United States too often quest for political power which is destroying the church and grieving God.
Boyd uses the familiar lines of many Christians who have argued that we need to “Take Back America for God.” He suggests we shouldn’t, and instead we should think of the Kingdom of God as much larger then our nation and demands a much different approach. We need to serve, give, and love which is quite at odds with how governments in general, and ours particularly, work.
Except here is my concern: we are the United States. We maintain citizenship in our country and are responsible for its laws and actions through our elected representatives. Granted, individuals may have very little power, but we do have some. We at least have the power to vote (or not). This fact is often lost in the debate about Christians and the culture.
Should Christians vote? Of course. Does that mean we can or should advocate for things we value? I would think so. However, it is precisely what we advocate (or how) that seems to bother Boyd and others who have argued for us to eschew political power. Once we grant that we have power, the question should be “What is the responsible use of our power?”
I think we should fight. Fight hard. It seems to me that we bear responsibility to vote in accordance with our values, and that God will hold us accountable for the use of the power:
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
However, we should primarily fight with each other. Seriously, we need to learn to be able to advocate in love and in truth (Ephesians 4:15). I find that as Christians we stink in being able to have conversations with each other. How can we ever hope to speak in loving ways to those we have no relationship with, when we can’t even find ways to speak to one another when we disagree?
So here is my challenge to you (and me): “Let’s fight.” Let us find an issue of political / national / social importance and discuss it. Let us find ways to disagree without being disagreeable. Let us find ways to convince each other without manipulating. Let us figure out together how God would have us use our power and to what ends.
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politics
Keep Him Close!
Keep Him close!
Immigration Problem
Hey Bill,
This topic is very uncomfortable for many to talk about.
I wonder what should be our attitude as Christians and Quakers regarding this problem.
Hernan
Re: Immigration
Great example. This is one of those issues where people often talk past each other. It is very uncomfortable to speak about, and often degenerates into name calling.
I would love that we (Lynwood, The Yearly Meeting, Christians) could talk to one another about this with reason and passionate debate.
Pastor Bill
Challenge
I do have great difficulty discussing political things with people of more liberal persuasion. Sometimes I think we differ on some very basic level of what is important and our perception of the world. I know I deliberately did not contact one of my friends who lives out of state because she made such a big point of how awful Bush was as president & how Obama is going to be so much better & get us out of debt. I really have serious doubts about her understanding of how much debt we are sinking into. When someone says the right words in an impressive way, never mind what he really does.
Thanks for the challenge.
Penny