Over the past few years, more and more Christians have re-visited the role of Christianity and its relationship with the state. Many became disillusioned with the awkward partnership between the Republicans pary and evangelical Christianity. Of course others had already partnered their views with the Democrats, while still more were frustrated with conservatives but saw an even greater evil in modern liberalism, therefore they stand stuck in this nebulous region where no political spectrum expresses their views. And there are still the die hard Christian conservatives that won’t be budged.
So some Christians have become even more apathetic about politics in general. Also, a growing number of social-gospelites see the state as a possible vessel for redemption.
Overall, I believe any discussion questioning such things to be a good thing, if intellectually honest and seeking what is right and true, not just a knee jerk reaction based in what Bono would think is cool.
I’ve made my personal views clear. Based on the nature of the two, the Church and the state are not just separate institutionally. They are separate in scope (eternal vs. temporal), purpose (redemptive vs. legalistic) and design (organic vs. organized). The state has its role and purpose, but the Church has an even greater mandate that I feel needs to be addressed, especially in the time we find ourselves. The Church’s mandate is not just for today, but for all of history and eternity. And we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill this mandate.
Jesus once rebuked the Jews by saying, “You can look at the sky and predict the weather, but you can’t seem to discern the times.” God is shaking our economic systems (and will continue to do so) and is handing our nation over to a messianic political figure all at once.
This will be a bright day for the Church if we can see ourselves for who we are.
I feel the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are timely for us now and in the future, and also as a basic understanding of the role of God’s people within a worldly government, under any type of administration.
We are, by nature, aliens and strangers, a people in exile but with a full assurance of full and eternal restoration. In this world but not of it.
I will be pulling seven principles from the book of Daniel. Please consider them over the next week … and comment! Share your thoughts, as well, on these principles as we go. I would love to hear your input.
Peace.