Forgetting Christ in Our Christian Politics
There is an attitude that crops up quite often in American Christianity. It usually rises from the assumption that America was begun as, and still is, a “Christian nation.” It is a stringent defensiveness against any attempts to secularize the nation, politically or culturally. For instance, there is an outrage over the removal of the Ten Commandments from a courthouse. Or there are protests against removing “under God” from the pledge of allegiance. I’m sure you can think of other examples.
Let me say first that there is nothing wrong with working to protect our liberties. As a democratic nation, we Christians legally have an equal voice in the political forum, and we should persistently and humbly work to make use of that opportunity. Also, sometimes these changes do go against our heritage as Americans, which is mostly a Judeo-Christian heritage. That cannot be denied.
Yet sometimes we seem to forget that we are not exempt from sharing in persecution for Jesus’ sake. Our persecution is usually so mild that we forget to see it as sharing in Christ’s suffering. But it is nothing less. How can we be surprised that the world scorns our Savior and seeks to remove mentions of Him from the public forum? How can we be surprised that they want a blatant reference to the Bible removed from a public courthouse? How can be so indignant, so righteously determined to force these symbols to remain? Are they really what matters? Or is it changed hearts and lives, resulting from those who see the love and service in our own lives? Even if we do choose to fight those battles, we need to do it humbly.
Another aspect of this debate is that in a democratic society, voice must be given equally to every religion represented. That’s just the way it works. If we are going to have Christian prayer in schools, then we have to allow Muslim prayer in schools. Are we prepared to do that? I know that America has a heritage of Christianity, but Saudi Arabia has a heritage of Islam. How should democracy be implemented there? Maybe some level of secularization isn’t all bad, if it means more privatization of religion. I don’t have the answer to that dilemma sorted out in my own mind; I just think we have to take into consideration that if we Christians want a political and cultural voice, we have to realize that other religions deserve one too according to the principles of democracy - even if those religions aren’t true. Is that really what we want to have happen?
I just think that we become so identified with political purposes, with making America a “Christian nation” again, so eager to argue for our specific candidate or political position, so eager to display the Ten Commandments and say “under God” in the pledge, that we forget to align ourselves with Christ and His church first and foremost. We forget to expect some level of mockery and persecution, and receive it with joy instead of loathing. We forget that the world is watching, to see if we care more about being right, or being humble and loving in our truth-telling.
Your thoughts?
9 Comments to Forgetting Christ in Our Christian Politics
Your totally correct. Much of what passes for the Religious Right in this country is only concerned with a few issues and they basically ignore the rest. They continue to call for the use of the Death penalty and support this war, which I find most unChrist like. It’s really about trying to formulate the world according to their narrow personal views than it is to bring closer the Reign of God.
Very well put Anna! An excellent post.
I would add that walking the political/”religious” fence can turn out to be another spin on being lukewarm with Christ.
Maybe you’re not totally distracted from God, but you’re not 100% focused on Him and His Word either. I don’t mean that Christians can’t be involved in politics. I just think it’s a tough act to balance the two and still be faithful to God in the process.
Then again, maybe it’s just me 
Grace and peace be with you all.
Wonderful post Anna! I’ve wrestled with some thoughts in this area, and you actually helped me better understand the conflicts I was having. Thanks!
Also, I watched “Amazing Grace” again last night, and as I was reading this post I kept thinking about William Wilberforce and how God used him in politics…how he did the work of God and the work of a political activist because that is what God called him to do. He knew he would be facing opposition and that the world was watching, yet he stayed grounded in doing what God wanted him to do…even though he faced some forms of persecution and struggle as a result of it. He’s a great example for me!
Nicely said, Anna … I like your take on this.
Excellent points.
I agree that if Christians feel so led to contest some public action that runs counter to our faith, we need to do so humbly - not with righteous indignation, which is un-Christlike and counter-productive.
I also agree spoken prayer should not be reinstituted in government/public schools. You are very right that, as a democratic setting, we would need to let other faiths have equal say in prayers and this cacaphony of prayer would be both confusing and damaging.
One thing that excites me about what God is doing through some young Christians like you is the inspiration to be counter-cultural. If we can’t force the dominant culture to become Christian, live counter-culturally, go against the grain.
This could be done in many ways. Start your own sports leagues that represent more Christian values. Prior to marriage, either live at home and continue to develop your identity as a woman (or man). Or, live with some high-standard Christians in a sort of “intentional community” devoted to Christ.
America is no longer (and likely was never) a Christian nation. But, America can be a nation full of Christians.
This is awesome Anna. If I start to tell you why this is awesome, i am just going to ramble on and on.
*bows
AnnaJanuary 19, 2008
Thanks for the discussion, everyone. PistolPete, a couple of comments - I don’t think “righteous indignation” is always unChristlike. In fact, I think He displayed it on many occasions. And I can be righteously indignant about abortion and the Holocaust and slavery etc. It is when we have self-righteous indignation that we are mistaken, but that’s probably what you meant.
Also… I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have prayer in schools, period. I’m just saying that it’s not as simple as we make it, and I’m unsure of a good solution at this point.
Again, thanks everyone for the interaction!
[...] busy on another project, so not too much new there. Anna at Hope Road, had a nice post on Christian Politics, that I recommend checking out. Pistol Pete over at Necessary Therapy has had his ups and [...]
RYC:
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. Please don’t envy me–I so wish I had taken better advantage of the time I had before I was married and had children. I feel like those few years are so wasted. God has you where He wants your RIGHT NOW, so embrace it with joy as His perfect Will.
I praise the Lord there are still young women like you out there. Sometimes I feel like I’m part of a dying breed.
Love,
Jennifer
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I'm Anna. I'm 22. I love reading and writing. I'm a recent college graduate living at home. And I hope you are blessed by what you read here.
January 19, 2008