Sermon notes for “Hearing God in Faith & Politics” October 12th 2008 by Roger Ellis
Good morning, it’s good to be here today to speak about Faith & Politics. Some of you will have noticed the beginning of campaigning for this year’s Parliamentary general election. In view of this I thought it might be helpful to discuss how Christians are to relate to government. Hence this sermon on Faith & Politics.
· Define “politics”
· Should Christians be involved
· Some practical applications for us today
1 Peter 2: 9-17
The Apostle Peter was writing to the people of God. From the beginning God has chosen people to influence the world for His purposes. In the Old testament times he used the nation of Israel. In the New testament the life death and resurrection of Christ enabled all people to be part of God’s kingdom if they want to be. Peter also tells us to “live as free men” he then tells us to “live as servants of Christ”. At first this seems like a contradiction. But God’s economy is different to man’s. Peter reminds his readers that we belong first to Christ. We are aliens or strangers in this world. We live in it, we can influence it and we are charged with changing it. But we do not belong to it. Rather we belong to the Kingdom of God. Peter tells us to submit to the authorities. He is not alone in this. The Apostle Paul repeated the same instructions in Romans 13;1 which says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities”. These passages and others like them speak of the interaction of the early church with political entities.
What do we understand by the term politics?
I think we can consider politics in two ways:
1 the life of the city state (polis) the Greek original from which we derive the English word “politics” by which the Greeks meant the way in which people live together in community; and
2. the activity of government concerned with policy development and the embodying policy in legislation.
Should Christians be involved in politics?
Was Jesus and the early church involved in politics? According to definition 1 – yes they were. But according to definition two – No they weren’t.
However, just because Jesus and the apostles weren’t involved in politics in the narrower sense of government is this a valid reason for us in the 21st century not to be involved in politics?
According to evangelical scholar – John Stott – the early church operated in a brutal Roman dictatorship – not a parliamentary democracy. The bottom line is that they couldn’t get involved in parliamentary politics even if they wanted to. John Stott believes that if they had the opportunity then they would have got involved in politics.
First century Christians did not demand the abolition of slavery. But are we not glad and proud of the 19th century Christians who did? Their campaign was based on the biblical teaching regarding human dignity and was a legitimate extrapolation from it.
As John Stott says:
“The apostles did not build hospitals either but Christian hospitals are a legitimate extrapolation from Jesus’ compassionate concern for the sick. Just so, political action (which is love seeking justice for the oppressed) is a legitimate extrapolation from the teaching and ministry of Jesus”
Another great evangelical leader – James Packer – agrees with Stott. Packer says:
“the New testament does not speak about active political participation, for the very good reason that this was not an option for the first century believers. They had not political influence nor any prospect of gaining any. So the only politically significant things they could do were:
· Pay their taxes (Matt. 17:24-27; 22:15-21; Rom. 13:6-7)
· Pray for their rulers (1 Tim 2:1-4) and
· Keep the peace (Rom 12;18; 1Thess 5: 13-15)
Present day representative democracy, however, opens the door to a wider range of political possibilities and thereby requires of us more in the way of responsible commitment than circumstances required in the new testament times.”
James Packer also warns us against what he calls “pietistic inhibitions which take the form of political passivity and unwillingness to be involved in any level of civil government.”
The “so what” factor.
I think that we are on solid ground to say that Christians should not only obey the government but should live in a way that is responsible for a citizen in a democratic society. The church enjoys freedom of speech and freedom to worship. The least we can do is to play our part.
Our faith demands that we live out the greatest Commandment and the Great Commission. Part of this missional approach to worship will involve the prophetic function that reminds both the church and the community of the need for acting justly and loving mercy (Micah). As citizens of the kingdom we are to be salt and light in our communities and in the world.
This brings us to the question of
How do we at CPAC apply biblical teaching in 2008?
· Everyone should be well-informed. We need Christian researchers who could make the information on various issues available to Christians in easily understood form. Sojourners. The Sojourners website is www.sojourners.com I recommend it.
· Everyone should vote in elections
· Everyone should pray for those in authority 1Tim. 2:1-4 + 1 Corinth. 14;15
· Some should seek to lobby their MPs and other elected representatives on critical issues and make submissions on behalf of their constituents.
· Some should seek political office or work within political parties. If the Mordecai’s are not within the decision-making body then Haman’s most certainly will be. Consider the vocation of Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel and Nehemiah.
I believe all of us need to pray about that and to carefully consider how we can use our vote to further the kingdom of God.
Remember Peter’s words: we are to live in such a way in community with others that we can be credible influencers where God calls us to be. That could be in our schools, in our neighbourhoods, communities, workplaces and government. Living and working alongside people of all perspectives while also remaining distinctive and centred on Christ is central to the Christian journey. It calls for tolerance and diversity while also ensuring that we retain our integrity and behave in a way that is consistent with the greatest Commandment and the great Commission.
In entering the political arena Christians must recognise that they are entering the public square where decisions of State are being made. It is an arena where policies must be advanced on the basis of their merits, where the way we communicate is just as important as what we communicate and where people are entitled to respect for the views they hold regardless of whether we support those beliefs. Ignorant statements presented in a self-righteous “holier than thou” attitude will not only fail to succeed in the political arena but they also do a great disservice to the cause of the gospel.
In relation to political parties which are branded as “Christian” my own view is that there are more risks than benefits involved in such organisations. The risk to the credibility of Christians is great. All of us are in some way impacted by whatever so-called Christian political parties say – regardless of whether it is biblical or not.
In addition from my experience the views of Christians on political issues are almost as diverse as those of the general population. Some attach high priority to more extensive government involvement in the economy – others prefer market-based solutions to solve policy problems.
Assuming we agree that freedom and responsibility are important and that the eradication of poverty and injustice are also important the debate really becomes about the most effective polices for delivering those outcomes. And that is what the political process is about and why the existing political parties came into being. There is no point reinventing the wheel. Christians are entitled to their say as citizens. Those who are called to enter the political arena should do so because other people influenced by other values certainly will.
Our minds need to be renewed to think Christianly and our resolve stiffened if we are to be relevant and make a difference as people with dual citizenship both in earth and in heaven. This morning I want to encourage you to be thoughtful and prayerful voters. Don’t be swept along by every tide of prejudice or selfish thinking as some are. Make this election about more than just who will give me more in my bank account.
As Christians we need to think globally about development issues, HIV-AIDS, starvation, and the Iraq War. Closer to home we need to consider the plight of people who are sick, unemployed or who suffer in ways that we don’t. Child poverty and illiteracy continue to trap far too many kiwi children and adults in lifestyles which are far from the dignity God intended them to have. It seems to me that these issues are at least as much in keeping with biblical values as those perennial hot-button issues which are guaranteed to get an emotive response – issues like abortion or prostitution or civil unions or the repeal of s.98 of the Crimes Act – the so-called “anti-smacking” bill. Don’t misunderstand me, these too are issues we need to consider but they are far from being the only issues on which we should select a preferred candidate or party.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we are to be Salt & light in the world (Matthew 5: 13-16).
We need to play our part. So, please, get informed, think Christianly about how to use your vote in the service of His kingdom and then do so.
In a democracy we have an urgent duty to re-enter the public arena to preserve and promote law and order for the welfare of society and to restrain evil.
We need to serve the nation in a similar way to how we serve each other – for His glory and setting aside selfish goals. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom first.
This election, don’t just vote on either blind party loyalty or old prejudices. Rather think carefully about how you can use your vote to fulfil kingdom goals.
ENDS
I acknowledge the work of Christian leaders such as Jim Wallis, John Stott, Tony Campolo, and Charles Colson who have informed my understanding of the interaction between faith and politics. I also want to thank Rasik Ranchord for his paper to the National Leaders Summit.
Roger Ellis is Convenor for CPAC’s Social Transformation ministry, Anglican Wellington Synod Representative and a professional Government Relations executive.
