Christianity and Politics

This post is simply a copy of a lesson I delivered on Sunday, November 2nd, at Southside. Many of you have asked for a copy of my notes, and others have been involved in discussions with me concerning the political future of America and the election of the new President. I hope these makes sense, and I hope they spur you on to think more critically about a Christian's role in government. Please dialogue with me and let me know what you think...

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Stanley Hauerwas – “Our current social ills in America are forcing us to recognize that they cannot be cured by the techniques of pluralist politics… American political behavior has been very moralistic but (in the end) not very moral.”

THE BIG QUESTION:
To what degree should a Christian participate in government?
Should a Christian be involved in local/state/national government?
Should we vote?
What role does our faith play in our politics?
Should we participate in military service?

Early Christians DID NOT participate in their local government:

Christians persecuted not for their faith but for their unwillingness to acknowledge Caesar as Lord.

The problem was political; the Roman Empire cared very little about anyone’s religious beliefs as long as they would accept Caesar as Lord

Centurions/soldiers were called to give up their position in the military as soon as possible

Etc.

The Churches of Christ (and others in the Restoration Movement) originally held a separation ideal as well.

The Restoration Movement called for Christians to remain separate from their government

However, a number of members were actively a part of the government at all levels

James Garfield became the 20^th President of the United States

Lipscomb (et al) called for all members of the CofC to put their allegiance to God first and stay out of the Civil War

A number of CofC members fought for both sides, however

Big movement within the church to return to Pacifism

Christianity seems to fall on one of two extremes:

Radical political activism, OR

Jerry Falwell, Pat Roberson, James Dobson, Christian Coalition, Religious Right, etc.

Governmental Abstinence

Biblical View

Politics in the Bible

Patriotism comes from the Latin root patria, which means father. Thus, patriotism is the love of one’s fatherland…

Abraham as a Patriarch…

Verses to Examine:

Exodus 19:5-6

God chose a nation, Israel, and chose to work through them

Matt. 22:15-22

Paying taxes to Caesar

Jesus does not tell them to negate their political duties; they are to continue paying taxes, etc.

Matt. 17:24-27 – Temple tax

Part of being a Jewish male

Active vs. Passive participation:

At this point some of you might be saying, “Ok, we are citizens and called to support our government passively through taxes, but does that mean that we are to play an active role in politics?”

Which is an EXCELLENT question, by the way!

I believe the answer is “Yes!”

Early Christians were not above using their citizenship:

Paul is a Roman citizen and uses it to his advantage in different situations

Acts 16:37-40

Acts 22:25-29

Paul tried to reach people from all social spheres, but intriguingly we find him talking to governmental officials:

Acts 13:12 – The proconsul of Cyprus

Acts 16:29-33 – The Philippian Jailer (a governmental position)

Acts 24-26 – Paul’s trial before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa

Philippians 4:22 – Those in Caesar’s household

Part of being salt and light

Matt. 5:13-16

Romans 13:1-7

Paul tells the Christians in Rome to stop defying the government

Sounds like they are refusing to pay taxes or even acknowledge the governmental officials…

Intriguing, because the first instances of persecution happen in Rome

Instead, acknowledge that God is in control and has a purpose…

Our Role as American Christians

Which of these political positions would you consider Christian?

- Pro-life/anti-abortion
- Welfare and care for the poor
- Providing medical help to those who can’t afford it
- Protection of the environment
- Peace from war
- Against homosexuality
- Social security and care of the elderly
- Immigration issues
- Capital punishment
- Separation of church and state
- Public prayer

***Actually, all of them have some basis in Scripture***

Some are questionable:

Separation of church and state, AND

Capital punishment, since the Bible speaks both for and against it

But all are biblical positions. And intriguingly, they fall on both party lines! Despite what some Christians might tell you, you can be a Christian and be a part of EITHER political party!

So...VOTE!

Not just on one issue!

There are too many interrelated issues!

Do your homework!

Too many issues and positions that are held!

You might like one candidate’s stance on the war but hate their stance on the economy, etc.

How much does character weigh in?

REMEMBER: Ultimately our citizenship is in heaven…

Philippians 3:20 -- "Remember that your citizenship is in heaven..."

Stanley Hauerwas, “Politics, Vision, and the Common Good,” in Vision and Virtue: Essays in Christian Ethical Reflection (South Bend: Fides Publishers, 1974), 234, 236.

Live from Denver

Ok, to be honest, I am not in Denver, although I wish I was. But not for the Democratic National Convention.

I am very politically minded, but I refuse to tell anyone where I stand politically. Suffice it to say this: I am a combination of the two parties, and I am ok with that. But as I listened to Hilary Clinton's speech tonight I came to a conclusion: Lots of promises often consist of hollow words.

Clinton called for the support and "salvation" of the American middle class. She spoke that the hope of the nation resides on the middle class. They are in need of a tax break, so that the receipts incoming can get ahead of the bills outgoing. She spoke of the need for universal health care, the end of American dependence on foreign oil by the support of renewal energy resources, and an overhaul of the American educational system. She also spoke of ending the war in Iraq, yet in the same breath mentioned Putin/Russia's invasion into Georgia. She spoke of greater support for our service men and women and a greater package of benefits for our veterans. She spoke of government for the people rather than the select few.

The problem she neglected to mention was the need for more money. She calls for tax breaks for the middle class; where will the funds come from to support these great overhauls? There is a need for universal health care so that all people will receive medical treatment. (AMEN to health care for all!) But...one small problem: where will these funds come from? These ambitious needs require a LARGE increase in taxes from ALL of the American people. She called for a need for economic growth and stability, yet also called for greater taxes on industry. How do these ideas coincide? Can we support business growth and expansion while simultaneously increasing the taxes demanded from said institutions? She calls for the need to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. A couple of small problems: By increasing our dependency on "renewable" energy resources like ethanol we inevitably drive up the cost of grain for the average consumer, placing a greater burden on the poor and middle classes. (If the cost of grain increases, then the cost of beef/meat increases due to the cost of feeding these animals...)

ALL of these platform issues require HUGE amounts of financial support. Clinton spoke of our dependence on monetary loans from the Chinese... If we can't support our failing economy now, how do we expect to do any better in the future with NO economic changes in the long haul?

While the Democrats expound a position of "Change," we must realize that it will take dollars (not just change) to make these policies a reality. Who will wind up bearing the burden of these costs? The very economy they espouse wanting to save... And, ultimately, the middle class individuals who are having to pay for those who refuse to take initiative for themselves...