I have been working through my opinions on politics and government for some time now. I have read Jim Wallis who believes we must engage the system and redeem it. I have read Tolstoy who believed that any involvement in the system perpetuates the evil inherent in the system. I don’t know where I stand just yet. I don’t think that legislation will advance the kingdom. I don’t think that making abortion and gay marriage illegal will create authentic followers of Christ. Isn’t that what Christ told us to do? “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” There is no mention of protecting our quality and way of life. Jesus does not preface this statement by saying, “ and oh by the way, be safe.” He says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” It is enough that he is with us. That is what we need more than safety, money, power and security. In light of this I have little faith in government and politics to be the catalyst for change in our society. I believe that government is a system established by man and does not have kingdom principles as its foundation. On the other hand I have realized that many people hold to the belief that the United States and its government was established by God and founded by men of high Christian character. Someone who believes this would find it very difficult to believe that the government and political system would not be the basis for change in society. Their belief is sincere and strong. The conclusion I have come to at this point in my thinking is that I don’t know how to dialog with those who believe in a God-ordained nation state. I have no desire to argue but to find a way to be unified in our proclamation of the kingdom gospel without falling into the trap of disunity and isolation.
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3 comments:
standing with you. i've had a deep admiration for those that stand up and get involved to bring about change in gov't (the Jim Wallis' of the world). but i've also had a difficult time reconciling it within myself - where following Christ and seeing the kingdom come on earth falls into that in my own life. thank you for sharing your questions.
thank you for being there a few weeks ago. it was a beautiful thing to look out and see people with whom we have deep connection sharing that moment with us.
you and jenn are deeply loved. hope to see you both soon.
peace - michelle
this is the capstone, man, no doubt. being an american and a follower of Christ necessitates our "doing something" with the idea of manifest destiny. I think you are on the right path as far as seeking unity with others, but at the same time I know that it will come to a choice for most people: what is more important, American entitlement or the Kingdom itself?
not an easy question...we all need wisdom beyond ourselves for that one. let there be no question about this, however: idolatry of any kind is what has put the world at it's present state, and no one can really dispute that. it's identifying the idol that is the problem.
I don't believe there are any simple answers here. I do think however, that some are with no doubt called to work in and through politics and government in an attempt to bring about the Kingdom w/in these man made institutions.
Conversely, I believe that others are called to remain radically apart from worldly institutions proclaiming the Kingdom as not being of this world.
Perhaps there is a paradox that exists between Government being man made and God ordained. But however one views these institutions, they are always to be held accountable in the Light of God's justice. This can be done from w/in and w/out.
Perhaps Christ is a good example of this as he judged Israel from w/in and Rome from w/out. Or perhaps I'm missing some important obsrvations here.
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