It is an age old argument. What role does the church play on politics. Jesus was very clear that we should support the law of the land. As Christians we are to be in the world but not of it. The very nature of the gospel shows us a way to live that is focused on social change. It calls us to take care of the poor and sick. To help widows and the needy. It calls us to cloth the unclothed and to give shelter to the homeless. Jesus spent his time healing the lame and speaking to the underprivileged. So how do we live this Christian life in the context of our modern society. Does government have a role in Christians affecting change or are we supposed to act independent of politics and change society from within the church and para church organizations. I would love to hear your opinions!
I think if we want to help people and take care of the poor, we should just do it and not necessarily look to the government. It just works better. If Jesus called us to build widgets, would we be better serving him by building widgets or voting for the government to build widgets? It’s a matter of efficiency. It seems like looking to the government to enact laws designed to help people is kind of like saying “I want to help, but not unless everyone else also helps.” What makes more sense, taking your old lady neighbor to the doctor’s, or voting for better public transportation? I’m an advocate of the former. Of course you can do both, but which one takes care of the need better? Which one would the old lady appreciate more?
Posted by Eli Gillespie | October 13, 2008, 10:37 pmI vote for a theocracy! Here here! Seriously, I use my vote and voice to try and affect policies that are God pleasing. The problem arises when Christians can’t agree on what is pleasing to God… that is a theology problem, not a political one.
Glad I found your blog (thanks to your tweet) and even gladder to see my blog rolled!
Ciao.
Posted by Nick | October 13, 2008, 11:07 pmI don’t know if I have an answer on this one yet… all I know is that there are thousands of people who hate churches & Christians because of how we handled the Prop 8 shenanigans.
Personally, I’m not sure if the Church should impose her convictions on the rest of society, even when her convictions are good ones. We’re standing up for truth, but we’re also stiff-arming anyone who stands in our way sometimes.
Unfortunately, I can’t think of ONE church that is doing this really well. The churches that I respect the most are even quiet on this one.
Posted by ryanguard | November 17, 2008, 5:07 am