For the Christian there is no right or wrong political system.
The strange new world of the Bible is something that spans many years, languages, cultures. More importantly for this post, we see the people of God living in and under many different political systems and ideologies. Unfortunately, we don't have little sidebars giving us commentary on Joseph's internship in Egyptian foreign policy, Daniel enrolled at Babylon University, or the alleged democratic pardoning of Barabbas (I'd be looking for a hanging chad), or the civil disobedience when Peter says "let us decide whether it's better to obey God or Man" (Acts 5:29). Nonetheless, we do have some texts that demand our best embodiment, or at least an attempt.
As a child, I remembered my dad once telling me that there was no political system mandated in the bible. This was a troubling concept for my very small world. Something that to this day I have tested and thought through. I believe him to be right. Israel wasn't even supposed to have a King, God was to be their King. To my understanding, nowhere in Scripture do we have the command, instruction or even the suggestion for a Christian to hold and setup some political office (I know you can do some fun things with the creation mandate). Perhaps, due in large part because the current democratic process where a "pastor" can run for the office of president wasn't even on the radar. What we do have is people doing the same thing in many different settings, demonstrating righteous living and worship of the Godhead regardless of any political power or system. Here is my [hypo]thesis: the people of God remain the same in their mission and mandates regardless of any political system, the application calls for abstention from the process entirely. We stand back and pray for leaders, all the while ready to obey God rather than men.
Don't tell Peter Leithart this, but Kierkegaard really hated Constantine. Kierkegaard felt that he lived in a context where the ripple effects of 313 A.D. still determined the spiritual climate.
The Danish Luther Church was about as lifeless and dull as it got. Contrasted with some of the healthiest moments for the church have been during times of suffering and tyrannical heads of state. I don't think the issue here is distance from the church and state, rather understanding of responsibilities. The church is not in the business of outsourcing its responsibilities to Washington, DC. Why does it matter that we have a President who can remember when he said the sinners prayer? Why do we want prayer in schools? Exactly what Judaeo-Christian principles was this country founded on? Why is that so important to us? The church needs a kind of tunnel vision. Not to the world, but for the sake of it. Ignoring what happens on capital hill and remaining focused on the people in their communities. Often I am asked if I would live in Socialist France or communist China. Sure, what's it matter? Communism, Democracy, Feudal Lords, Facism, It's All Fine. Lead On O King Eternal.
14 comments:
You guys have all become wimpy Anabaptists. I'm telling presbytery.
Are we going to be the first victims of your Magisterial Reformation, John? We're just a couple of radical mystics.
I'm sure you'll be singing "Tis So Sweet" all the way leading up to your censure.
My dad used to say that too. I wonder what was going on in their Church to bring that to light. Perhaps it was the seed of our cynicism.
kyle hackmann:
(copy + pasted from an email he sent me)
"I understand what you are getting at in your article, but I would recommend you flesh it out a bit more. Maybe acknowledge the categories that exist already: the Anabaptist and the Theonomist and the Constantinians ... And then talk about how they relate to the state in a democracy. I think you are arguing against Constantianians and Theonomist and the Anabaptist, but I would recommend you articulate the reformed position and reject it or endorse it. In the mean time, here are some thoughts on the phrase:
"For the Christian there is no right or wrong political system." You have to be careful with this man. Here's the Westminster's (with the PCA’s amendments) on this Chapter 23:
3. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in the matter so faith. Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger. And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his Church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief. It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretence of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance.
4. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honour their persons, to pay them tribute or other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted, much less hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.
A simply argument against this: "For the Christian there is no right or wrong political system" is what if the system puts the state over the church? What if the state endorses one I understand you are using the term "system" loosely, but it might be helpful for the Anabaptist (who have already responded to your post) if you make this more clear. I also think you must ask how the Westminster Standards (with PCA emendations) relate to a democracy. "
Can you explain further: "the application calls for abstention from the process entirely" and "Ignoring what happens on capital hill and remaining focused on the people in their communities"? Maybe I misunderstood your post, but do you think these principles apply to all Christians? Advocating one form of government as more "Christian" than the other is a completely different thing than being involved in government at all. I think that should be clarified.
thanks for chiming in Christina. abstention from politics I think is perhaps the most logical position right now to me. I might do a followup post about this, but particularly in the NT, we see Paul telling us to pray for our leaders and that's about it. We pray for their wisdom and guidance, and worry about the church. The church is to be the apple of the church's eye. Furthermore, politics are a mess and getting involved only distracts the Christian from the church's duties. Too much has been handed over to the governments. Its hard for me to conceive of a situation where a Christian could serve in politics and not be loosing sight of the fact that Jesus is Lord not Caesar. Im curious to hear your thoughts, especially living in a different country and political system...
So let's clarify. I feel more and more of a call to politics, not to further the right wing agenda or to make America moral, but because that's where I see God guiding me vocationally, according to my passions and giftings. Would you tell me that God would not call me or any other Christian to be involved in politics, lest it "distract" us from Jesus being King, all based on the fact that Paul said to pray for out leaders and nothing else? Needless to say, I have a real problem with this. I think you need a lot more Biblical evidence to make such a statement. I'd also like to offer an example from the non-profit sector. No one would ever argue a Christian working for a Christian organization that does humanitarian work. I did so in 2007, and never have I seen work placed as such an idol first hand. There was always work to be done, so in turn, no one ever stopped working. Is it possible these well-intending believers lost sight of God being the ultimate provider for their clients? Yes. Does that mean Christians should avoid this kind of work so they don't get distracted from God's true role? Of course not. Anything can distract us, and anything can become an idol.
This is a good interaction here. I'd like to hear both of your definitions of "God's true role" so that we can clarify what exactly a distraction might entail.
PD, I don't think you're setting word against deed, proclamation versus justice, here but help us understand if the problem with politics is that its the wrong tool toward the right end or the wrong tool for the wrong end.
I probably should have said "the role that belongs to God," being the ultimate provider for the spiritual and physical. My point is that a humanitarian worker is not denying God's role as a provider by working to allocate food or clothing to the poor, although this same person is also capable of taking his work so seriously that he or she forgets that God provided the resources in the first place. In the same way, a politician is not denying God's kingdom or Christ's kingship by striving to better his or her own country. The danger arises when the Christian politician begins placing more faith in the institution for social redemption than in God.
Christina, I see your point here, its a good rebuttal. Right now, where I am at is that I'm just not sure a Christian would be aloud to serve in government if they have a growing awareness and submission to Lordship of Christ and allegiance to him. I think that governments are unique in this way, one of the main reasons is use of "the sword". I understand I may seem to set a double standard, "taking a desk job somewhere is allegiance to a company's code of ethics, so whats the difference with government?" I'll be honest that I don't have a clear idea, I think there might be something inherently wrong with the building of an empire...
I can understand there being something "inherently wrong with building an empire." However, government is not necessarily about that. Yes, I know it's hard to see past American Imperialism, but at it's core the definition of government is to create order and regulation in society. In that I find no fault. Obviously no one will agree with everything a governing body or individual does, but that does not logically negate the whole process. Furthermore, I believe there are a lot of useful tools found in law and government without which we as Christians would have a difficult time implementing peace and justice, something you know I take very seriously. I'm going to guess you'll say that the church is responsible for these things, and although I agree, the facts are that the church doesn't have the means nor the jurisdiction to send in peace negotiators or protect persecuted peoples in anyway. I could obviously go on and on, but I'm going to stop here.
Christina, I think you're making a great point here. Actually this is closely linked to Jon's post on corporation. We probably have more biblical basis for governmental involvement than many or our corporations. At the end of the day there are few places we can readily and immediately give full expression to our faith.
But PD I do see your aversion to being connected to the sword through government and having a word in how its used. From where I'm standing I don't think that is the place of a Christian either.
i'm reminded of derek webb's song "in God we trust"
if you don't know the song, these lyrics will really bless you. also, here's a link to an article i wrote on my site concerning some of my wrestlings through these ideas, hope this all helps your thinking. your article has certainly helped mine.
http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/derek_webb_lyrics_7250/mockingbird_lyrics_24575/in_god_we_trust_lyrics_269883.html
http://paulburkhart.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/the-good-motivations-of-the-heart-god-merica-pt-iiib/
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