“A patriot sees the flaws of his country, acknowledges them, weeps for them, but remains faithful in love,” – Chuck Colson
Anyone who knows me knows that this is one of my favorite books (formally known as Kingdoms in Conflict but updated after Sept. 11). As with many Christians, there tends to be a struggle with how to find the balance between faith and politics. I have read this book multiple times. It is my “go-to” book for when questions arise. Why? Well, keep reading…
First, if you do not know anything about Chuck Colson, then you must read his book Born Again. Colson was Nixon’s henchman, doing all his dirty work during his time as president. Although Colson was not involved in the Watergate Scandal, he was guilty of many other actions. It was during his incarceration in jail when he became a Christian and focused his life on his foundation Prison Fellowship. By knowing and understanding his past life in politics and how/when he became a Christian gives him much credibility on how a Christian is called to balance this pull between faith and politics.
About 8 years ago, during the 2012 presidential election, I was teaching Economics and Government. My philosophy is never to teach a particular viewpoint or make known my particular stance on issues but to provide a safe environment for students to discuss policies, supporting opinions with factual evidence and not emotions. I was reading this book for the first time during this time and came across a quote by Colson: Respect the person. Respect the position. Critique the policy. I immediately printed it out and hung up in my classroom, where it still hangs today. Why is this important? I think turning on the news or viewing social media will answer that question…
So, what is our role as a Christian and American citizen? How do we balance our faith with politics? I thought I would outline a few points I have underlined in my book (and taken notes on).
1) Do you vote for a person based on if he/she is a Christian or of his/her character? As Colson states, a Christian does not make a wise leader. Otto von Bismarck was a Christian but believed in Germany’s ethnocentric view (“Germany Over All”). It is noted that Bismarck read his Bible and constantly talked of his devotion to God. However, his mentality would lead to two world wars. Power can be corrupting. (Colson later discusses how those in power use power to stay in power.)
Christians are called to select people based on QUALIFICATIONS and ABILITIES as well as their moral character. In Exodus 18, Jethro advises Moses in selecting capable men to help govern the Jewish nations. Martin Luther was known as saying he would rather be ruled by a competent Turk than an incompetent Christian. Colson states that “to suggest that electing Christians to public office will solve all public ills is not only presumptuous and theologically questionable, it is also untrue.” Always ask yourself (example in the book), if a terrorist overtook an elementary school, who would you want to deal with that situation?
Something I have questioned and continue to question is how Christians can vote for a political party without ever questioning the policy stance by those individuals. I can’t fathom why someone would vote for a person whose policies go against God’s Word, just because a “D” or an “R” is beside that person’s name. You don’t like the character of the other person so you choose to cast a vote for a person who believes in abortion at any stage of pregnancy…mind-blowing. Just my personal thoughts…
2) Colson states that “we live in a society in which all transcendent values have been removed and thus there is no moral standard by which anyone can say right is right and wrong is wrong.” AMEN! And…that is infiltrating into our school systems K-12 and post-secondary.
What I find interesting is seeing the fruition of Colson’s thoughts. He discusses three choices that mankind has: 1) remain divorced from the transcendent; 2) to construct a rational order to preserve society without recourse; 3) to establish the viable influence of the Kingdom. Colson states the first option invites CHAOS AND TYRANNY! How true are those words considering the riots and attacks seen across our nation.
3) God commands us to influence the world through obedience to Him, not by taking over the world. Colson states “to accomplish works of mercy and justice…Christians do not rely on government, but on their own penetration of society as ‘salt and light.'” I love Colson’s discussion of how Christians are “little platoons.” He actually took this term from Edmund Burke. We are “little platoons” imbedded in society to carry out works of justice, mercy, and charity. Some Christians feel like they should separate themselves from the ills of the world. However, Christians are called to immerse themselves into the world to be a witness. Can you imagine a police department, a public school, a hospital, or a mechanic shop who does not have Christians?
Colson states, “Christianity rests on the belief that God is the source of truth and that He does not alter it according to the spirit of the times. When Christians sever their ties to absolute truth, relativism reigns, and the church becomes merely a religious adaptation of the culture.” How true is that last sentence? So many churches are changing theology to fit the culture. What a scary path to be on…
So how can Christians balance faith and politics? The following are some ideas by Colson:
- Obey civil authorities unless they set themselves in opposition to the divine law.
- Civil disobedience (when justified and how to carry out):
- WHEN JUSTIFIED:
— justified when government attempts to take over the role of the church or allegiance due only to God then Christians have not only the just right but duty to resist
–mandated when the state restricts freedom of conscience
— justified when the state flagrantly ignores its divinely mandated responsibilities to preserve life and maintain order and justice.
+++civil disobedience is not to be taken lightly or used to create disorder+++
- HOW TO CARRY OUT: (start minimum first)
–avoid breaking just laws to protest unjust laws
–where peaceful means are available, avoid force
— be prepared to pay the consequences of civil disobedience
— picket, protest, vote, organize, advertise, or pressure political officials – BUT above all, do not break the law to make a dramatic point
— recognize the you engage to demonstrate submissiveness to God, not in defiance of government
–good citizenship requires discernment and courage
— deal with political issues where justice and human dignity are at stake
— run for office… bear witness on political structures, bringing “mercy, compassion, and friendship to those in the cutthroat business of politics.”
4) Three reasons why Christians must be involved in politics:
- we are citizens of a nation-state…we have civic duties (serve on juries, pay taxes, vote, etc.)
- as citizens of the Kingdom of God Christians are to bring God’s standards of righteousness and justice to bear on the kingdoms of this world.
- Christians have an obligation to bring transcendent moral values into the public debate (“all law implicitly involves morality)
I cannot even begin to summarize how this book gave me insight and perspective into faith and politics. It is not a book you would just pick up and read in a week. You may want to take a chapter a month and work your way through it. There are loads of history examples and scriptural references. I have known some to read the Prologue and stop, thinking Colson’s thoughts support the story in the Prologue. However, you have to read through the book and then read the Epilogue to see why the story in the Prologue is biblical wrong (as for how Christians are to act in public office).
I will leave with another quote by Colson: “This political illusion springs from the diminishing belief in God and the growth of big government. What people once expected from the Almighty, they now expect from the almighty bureaucracy. That’s a bad trade for anyone; but for the Christian, it’s rank idolatry… The media encourage the illusion…while the everyday actions of ordinary citizens lack headline punch, politics offers confrontation, controversy, and scandal…wars proliferate; political solutions fail; frustrations rise. Yet we continue to look to governments to resolve problems beyond their capability. The illusion persists.”
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