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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Christians should automatically have a different perspective on politics than their secular counterparts, having submitted their entire lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As such, encouraging society’s spiritual transformation remains our foremost duty, and that is accomplished through the spiritual reordering of each individual’s life – not political ideologies of the right or left. At its core, the legitimate function of government is to promote justice by preserving law and order while protecting its citizens from domestic violence and foreign aggression. The divide separating church and state ably expressed as, “Government is responsible for maintaining a just order for all men, while the church is accountable for the spiritual health of all believers.”1The question being: Can or should one rightly influence the other? The tension between the two expressed by John Witherspoon, an American founding father and preacher/teacher at what was to become Princeton University, who readily acknowledged that religious freedom can seldom survive without civil liberty while John Adams, another founding father and America’s second President expressed fear for America’s future if it neglected the moral code of Christian scripture.2
Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian who traveled throughout America in the 1830’s trying to discover the driving force behind this new nation’s startling success observed that, “Liberty regards religion as its companion in all its battles and its triumphs, as the cradle of its infancy and the divine source if its claims. It considers religion as the safeguard of morality, and morality as the best security of law and the surest pledge of the duration of freedom. Religion in America takes no direct part in the government of society. (Our Constitution banning government support of and meddling in religion even as it guarantees the free exercise thereof.”) But it must be regarded as the first of their political institutions, for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it.”2
Some refer to Jesus’ comment, “My kingdom is not of this world.” in John 18:36 to support non-involvement in politics. Yet Jesus repeatedly challenged religious and secular authorities concerning their ungodly behavior, even as he emphasized the individual conversion of hearts and minds; which has the potential of changing “politics as usual” from the inside out as we learn to love God first and foremost and to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-40) This should then motivate us to engage people in practical ways as we “do good to all people.” Galatians 6:10 (See also Matthew 25:31-46 & James 2:14-17) It’s not that God is completely uninterested in secular institutions but that in the end, they lack transcendent value. (Even if they foster some social stability allowing us to more easily consider those things that are of transcendent worth.) The Bible nowhere suggesting coercion as a means of attaining spiritual conformity, instead advising us to, “…gently instruct unbelievers,…” 2 Timothy 2:25; in the hope that God will grant them repentance of sin and knowledge of the truth. (See also 1 Peter 3:15)
A key to offering alternatives to the secular ordering of society is the realization that many of our responsibilities as Christians aren’t “political” at all, genuine attempts at conveying Christian principles best expressed by personal interaction rather than access to political power; the church and other Christian organizations providing a model of voluntary social involvement. Historian A. James Reichley noting that, “The single most influential force at work in the new nation (of America) was the combination of religious beliefs and social attitudes known as Puritianism.”3 (Despite the prevailing idea today that puritanism was intolerant of most everyone and everything, finding comfort only in austerity of practice and faith.)
Founding father John Adams conceded that there were certain inherent dangers in creating a government that operated by the “consent of the governed” saying, “We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.” The Declaration of Independence appealing to “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”; referring to divinely inspired principles reflected in the desires and choices of many throughout the world. (Paul using similar language when he spoke of Gentiles doing, “…by nature things required by the law…”, thereby illustrating, “…that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” Romans 2:14,15) The Declaration concluding with, “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”; which was not uncommon for the leaders of that century. Many today unaware that at the time of the revolution, at least 75% of America’s citizens had grown up in families practicing some form of Puritanism; more than half of the remaining citizens, being raised under the influence of Calvinism.
The authors of the Constitution insisted that “all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”; hoping to insure those rights by forming a “more perfect union, establish(ing) justice, insur(ing) domestic tranquility, provid(ing) for the common defense, promot(ing) the general welfare and secur(ing) the blessings of liberty” for all.
Many people on both sides of the political divide are concerned for our country today, being convinced that a “disaster” waits in the wings if this or that person is elected President. And while I’m not discounting the effects our choices can bring, we must remember that whoever wins the upcoming contest for President – God is still in control. Beyond that, one of the beauties of our country’s political system is that even if we do make a mistake in our choices – we can correct ourselves in four more years. (A relatively short span of time in the grand scheme of things) The real key to America’s early successful experiment with liberty and its continued well-being again found in the assertions – and warning – of Mr. de Tocqueville, “There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America; and there can be no greater proof of its utility and of its conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the world.” He believing it was self-evident then that, “America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”4
1From Beyond Good Intentions, Doug Bandow author, Crossway Publishing
2 Miracles of the American Revolution, Larkin Spivey author, Allegiance Press Publishing
3Same as 1
4Same as 2
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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