Here's my follow-up thoughts on politics, especially in light of John 18:36...
The president is not our king and this country is not our kingdom. We are citizens of another kingdom. That’s what Jesus was explaining to Pilate, although he didn’t understand. Jesus was saying that if my kingdom was of this world then we would use the tactics of this world, but my kingdom is from another place. Sometimes Christians try to establish the kingdom of God using the principles and tactics of earthly kingdoms. We utilize political power or military might, assuming it's the best course of action, but it rarely works. That's because God's kingdom is a different kind of kingdom. In his kingdom everything is turned on its head…the meek rule, the poor have the seat of honor, the humble prevail, the servants are greatest, the first are the last.
To implement a kingdom like that we have to use alternative methods. As Shane Claiborne argues, we don’t need political views as much as we need political alternatives. We have to become the change we want in the world. We don’t just lobby politicians and wait on them to change things for us. Instead, we take the responsibility of engaging our values in real and meaningful ways.
The example he gives is Mother Teresa. She made a difference in the world, not because of her political clout or position, but because she embodied her politics. She became the change she desired in the world. She didn’t just lobby for the poor, she lived among them and cared for them. She didn’t wear T-shirts that said “abortion is murder,” she told young mothers, with all sincerity, “if you don’t want your baby, I’ll take them.”
That's the kind of political engagement in which Christians need to be involved. We belong to another kingdom and we serve another king, so we need to act like it. That's a tough message for me to hear because it steps squarely on my toes. It's a whole lot easier to hold political views and just go on with our lives, but not nearly as effective. Transformation comes through action more than ideology.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A Different Kind of Kingdom
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6 comments:
So your cool with Obama signing into law stuff like taxpayer funded abortion on demand. Or making people wards of the state by giving them a taxpayer paid house, a taxpayer paid car, and taxpayer paid food, but nothing is required of them except to vote people in who will not rollback their "sugar daddy money". Or laws that allow homosexual marriage and adoption. Or when there is another 9/11 style attack, your cool with Obama not taking military action against an aggressive enemy.
Why should I live like my government is ran by the Roman Caesar then my leaders are elected by a vote of the people?
"Transformation comes through action more than ideology."
Theology informs my ideology which informs my actions. James said "I'll show you my faith by my works". The reason you "see" my ideology, based on my understanding of God, in my works is because I have an ideology that demands action.
Again you might be suggesting a 'better way' but if my faith says that 'conservatism is better than socialism', then why attack my faith?
To me is sounds like you want a brutal dictator to rule people so you will have a better contrast with Jesus. When the government is not hostel to Christianity, you want to throw the Christians out of office.
You are right to say that Christianity is apolitical, because you can be a Christian under any worldly government. However I believe if your government system allows influence, change, or chooses leaders via a voting system. Then Christians should not waste that chance. I'm no less a Christian under Obama than I was under Bush, but I believe that Obama will make it harder to perform God's work here on Earth.
I don't think any of us are happy with the idea of our taxes being used to encourage others to sin against God. That sin could be murder, drunkenness, gluttony, homosexuality, and on and on.
I think the issue with political Christianity is that it often doesn't show Christ's love, just our judgment of others. Christians need some spin doctors to show the good we are doing and not just our political interests that can appear so one-sided and judgmental.
Politics are like many other pursuits - you have to be careful that it doesn't become a god in your life while saying you are doing it to follow God's will. I think some people's talents are enacting change in our government, while others are better servants in direct one on one ministries.
Quick question:
We are to first obey the law of God, followed by the law of the land.
At this time, our money is going toward unGodly things, such as abortion.
If you look at it on a smaller scale, would we feel it's a sin to give our money to Planned Parenthood or simply into the hands of a woman saying it will be used to abort her baby?
If you answered yes, it would be a sin, do you feel it's the same on a larger scale, ie our tax money going for these same sorts of policies?
If so, should Christians refuse to pay taxes and take the punishment that would follow?
I have no answer. I certainly don't want my money going toward things like abortion or many of the other things Ben pointed out. I don't want to break the law (of the land) and go to jail either.
Now for a 180, as I might have been misunderstood before.
Christianity does not need a national government to "work". Christians do not need political influence or approval to carry out the will of God. Each Christian has a "nature like Elijah's" and can do amazing things - even throwing mountains into the sea. I have struggled with a "Christian's power" for several years now. I live an amazing life, not because of my skills, talents, or luck but wholly and solely by the grace and will of God; but I have an incredibly hard time explaining to other Christians that they to have the same Spirit. It's like they don't see it, like Elisha's servant didn't see the army of the LORD.
A Christian doesn't need government, mayors, judges, or princes to help them in their walk. We have the army of Heaven ready to protect us and besides that, God Himself said that 'I will never leave you', what or whom can we be afraid of? Are we not children of the King, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High, our homeland is not in this world, our treasure is not gold or silver, our home is not wood, brick, or steel? We shouldn't believe the lie that we need politicians to pass laws that agree with God's nature. Rulers and law are for the ungodly and lawless, not followers of Christ.
Matthew 25 says that those who follow Christ, act like Christ. Giving water to the thirsty, giving food to the hungry, visiting the sick, the unstable, the mentally ill, the prisoner, and doing good to widows, orphans, and anyone you cannot pay you back but only praise God for what you have done for them. Our reward is not for 'passing laws' but showing love and kindness. 'If you love those that love you, how is that godly?' said Jesus.
I should not be so interested in 'keeping myself unspoted' (because Christ blood continually cleanses me) but I should focus on doing good, being Jesus, to those who He loved - the poor, the prostitutes, the 'sinners', the gays, the drunks, and the druggies.
Anon,
I would check out Matthew 22:15-22 and Romans 13:1-7. Both deal with the issues of Christians and taxes. My traditional interpretation of these teachings as always been "be a good citizen, pay your taxes, respect the governing authorties (even when you disagree with them)." Christians aren't called to overthrow the government, but to work under their authority and seek alternative ways of establishing God's kingdom.
Of course there's always Acts 5:17-42. God's laws come first and there are certianly times in which Christians may disobey man's laws if they find them to be unjust. I think of the Civil Rights movement and Rosa Parks here.
Tough issue. I would say pay your taxes and work to find alternative ways to show your support for your pro-life values...volunteer in a Women's Pregancy Center, counsel teen moms, work with adoption groups, etc.
Ben,
Thanks for the clarification. Good point in the earlier comment about ideology informs action. The key word in my sentence was "more." Ideology absent of action is useless, which also fits with James' thoughts.
Russ -
Thank you for clarifying for us, the distinctiveness of Christ's Kingdom. We are to be a peculiar people, with a peculiar ethic, and a peculiar politics.
Thanks for reminding us to be salt and light, rather than confusing the Kingdom of America with the Kingdom of God.
I appreciate your willingness to share your convictions in the midst of a time when the "Christian" norm is to throw off trust in Jesus' way of the Sermon on the Mount, and to side with principalities and powers to gain control of the mantle of power, and to try and make human history turn out right our selves - refusing to submit to the true King and his Kingdom.
Thanks for being faithful salt and light yourself, Russ!
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