I read a book last year by Gregory Boyd called “A Myth Of A Christian Nation”. The central theme of the book is about the danger of mixing faith and politics. I know this can be a hot topic in our country. The election is right around the corner and I thought this would be a great video to start conversation.
September 2, 2008 at 4:11 am |
This is too true! So many people in the church get caught up in worldly matters and forget that, as Mr. Boyd says, “the church should be the church.” We are called to love as Jesus loved, not to decide how Jesus would vote and follow suit. It seems like abortion and gay marriage are often the deciding factors in how some Christians think all Christians should vote, but the fact is there are so many issues you can’t truly focus on just a couple, and focusing on all of the issues would leave all of the candidates out.
Do we, as Christians, need to stand against abortion? Of course. But it can’t be the only thing we look at when making political decisions. When the church starts to boss people around and tell them what to think and how to vote without a Biblical basis we turn people off because we become what all people fear: a body that demands obedience and sticks to some absolutes while abandoning others.
I also liked his ideas about Jesus’ lack of political involvement. Jesus stayed focused on His mission, leaving politics to the politicians. Does this mean we shouldn’t vote? No. We all have a responsibility to vote, but we need to look at all of the issues and make a personal decision about what is right as opposed to blindly sticking to a particular party because society tells us it is the Christian party.
September 8, 2008 at 3:28 pm |
While it is true that Jesus was not a professional politician, it is my perspective that Jesus was actually VERY involved in politics. I don’t mean he ran for office, or supported certain candidates over another.
What I mean is that Jesus very definitely had opinions on public policy that were relevant to the day. Especially the “hot topics” for Palestinian Jews who were trying to survive in a Roman Empire.
Specifically – the question of taxes and Roman occupation. Were the Jews to pay taxes to Caesar and recognize his authority? This was very much a political question. Jesus’ answer, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” and give to God what is God’s. Jesus paid his taxes.
Jesus was also interested in the policies of divorce where were apparently a “hot topic” among the Jews of the day. What should the policy be? Should people be allowed to divorce for any reason? Or should it be only for fornication? Jesus answer was to encourage men to take policy all the way back to the creation – God intended Adam and Even to stay together for life. Moses permitted divorce because hearts were hard. And divorce is recognized in the case of fornication. That was his stand on policy.
I find it interested that Jesus also welcomed aboard among his 12 – people were of very DIFFERENT political persuasions. Specifically – Simon the Zealot (who was very “anti-Rome” as well as Matthew the Tax Collector (who was very “pro-Rome”).
It is true that Jesus was not a political candidate, but to say he wasn’t a politically minded person seems to ignore the issues he dealt with and how he dealt with them. I believe Jesus was interested in politics, but primarily the politics of the kingdom of God.
Well, just my two cents.