For years I assumed that being a Christian meant being a strict political conservative. All time spent in my car was devoted to listening to Rush, Hannity, Glenn Beck, and O'Reilly (I still kind of like O'Reilly). But recently I've come to some conclusions:
First of all, Jesus' approach wasn't political. He really didn't come to this earth to stop homosexual marriage in America or even abortion. He didn't lobby to promote religious views in the public forum and didn't desire to illegalize immorality. He came to seek and save the lost through personal interaction and through his own substitutionary work on the cross and in raising from the dead. Therefore, when Christians focus on keeping Christianity legal and illegalizing gay marriage and illegalizing abortion over and above our call to evangelize the lost, aren't we effectually missing the boat?
Say we succeed in illegalizing gay marriage in America. Then what? Are we any closer to reaching the lost? Say we illegalize abortion (which we won't). What have we won? The truth is, Jesus didn't die to stop gay marriage. He died to save people from their sin. So the answer to "Do you think gays should be allowed to get married," from the Christian perspective is, "I don't think gays should be gay." Homosexuality is immorality--sin. But we're not here to make sin illegal--we're here to save people from it!
The church has to work from the ground up. Christianity is a grass-roots, counter-cultural phenomenon. The evangelical attack that attempts to change culture from the top down reflects poor thinking. I think it is motivated by fear of persecution. But the Bible promises that we'll face persecution--we've got to accept that and work to change society individually through our relationships with people in the world. Evangelism is Christianity's tool, not Congress! We've got to start with the people, not the government. That's how it works.
Second, I've voted pro-life, anti-gay marriage since I was 18 (17 years ago) and I have yet to see the people I've helped to elect who promised to do something about these issues actually
do anything about these issues. Therefore, I don't have any confidence that politicians with "Christian morals" have any more burden for these issues than those without. Of course, I'll still vote my values. But I'm not going to worry myself sick about it any more! I've even come to the conclusion that there are Christians who don't vote like I do! And that's ok.
I still haven't read Greg Boyd's new book, The Myth of a Christian Nation. One of my friends needs to just buy it for me so I can have it!
5.08.2007
Counter-culturalism and politics
Posted by Jason at 9:31 AM
Labels: Christianity and politics
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I am excited to see what else you write. I have thought all afternoon about what you have wrote, and for the most part, I agree. Our main priority should be the people, not the issues. By changing the people, we will slowly change the issues. By the way, I stole your idea of "what I'm reading."
-Terry
That was a pretty good idea, huh?
It took a while to come to that conclusion--it wasn't easy for me. Boyd's book The Myth of a Christian Nation has helped, but I still have only read a few snippets.
I agree the Church is counter-cultural - which implies it is inherently political. Not political, I agree, in a secondary sense as an influence but as a political entity itself.
PVA
I think I understand what you are saying and it is a good point. The church is political in that it has something to say about the politics of the day. In fact, by definition the church is a living socio-political commentary. But I think you are correct that the church's role is not primarily to directly influence politics.
hhhmmm, you can borrow "Myth of a Christian Nation" if you would like. the two things boyd did for me was 1) turn me from violence to see that my identity is in Christ, and he is my protection (not pacifism, but a non-violent activism), and to quit putting my hope in this system. Nation states are here for a reason, but salvation is not one of them. Thanks Greg...
By the way...Now I have the book!
Post a Comment