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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Is the title of a book by Doug Bandow in the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series that attempts to guide Christians through the intricacies of political involvement. The secondary title of this book – A Biblical View of Politics – stressing the basis from which Christians should make their decisions as to who will represent them at the local, state and federal levels of government. Mr. Bandow consistently noting the pluses and minuses of both parties platforms even as he stresses the need for political involvement by Christians; not in establishing a spiritual platform within a particular party so much as in upholding our present system with genuine Christian principles.1
One thing we must not do is speak for God as if we were his authorized agents for settling policy disputes; even as we honestly search scripture for direction on how to support people we agree with and how to respond to those we don’t. The range of difficulties confronting us being too diverse, challenging and far-reaching to be solved by one-size-fits-all answers. Christians often disagree among themselves as to the correct approach to any one given issue; the Bible at times not speaking directly to every issue we are confronted with today. We must be able and willing to stand firm on those issues that are addressed in scripture but allow for grace and liberty – depending on the “spirit” of scripture to guide us – through those issues not directly dealt with in the Word.
Some people question the validity of government in any form today, yet scripture assures us that the institution of government is as “…God’s servant to do you good.” Rom,. 13:4; restraining the actions of sinful men and promoting public well-being. As such we are to,”…submit (our)selves… to every authority instituted among men…” 1 Peter 2:13, as long as their decrees and actions don’t run counter to Christian principles and the general welfare of those being governed. (See Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1-5 & Acts 5:29. Specifically, “We must obey God rather than men!”)
On the other hand, some believe the state is in the process – or should be – of building a utopia on earth. However, we must always remember that legislatures may craft laws to punish evil and relieve hardship, but they cannot save us from our fallen state as sinners, the only answer to that predicament is personal redemption through Jesus Christ; all human institutions having been corrupted to varying degrees by man’s universal fall from grace. Having said that, it’s easy to understand why some Christians give up, retreating from the “outside” world into strictly personal and/or church activities. (Which is exactly where the liberals would prefer us to be.) But it can be argued that it is in precisely this type of atmosphere that our influence is most needed, playing a critical role as society’s conscience, calling it to account for its violations of God’s Law.
In doing so though, we must never lose sight of our primary responsibility to uphold scriptural standards; because if we do, we run the risk of becoming just one more political interest group vying for the attention of the electorate. When that happens, the transcendent message of God’s love for man inevitably suffers, becoming entangled in the values of the world and used by the politically powerful to achieve their own agenda. History proving many times over that the closer the political relationship becomes between church and state, the more spiritually irrelevant the church becomes. For whatever reason, Christians have been repeatedly tempted to substitute flawed political platforms that “force” people to behave over the gospel that changes them, albeit slowly, for all eternity. If history teaches nothing else, it is that man cannot be perfected by human means, as new ideologies, programs, technologies or theology cannot reverse the flaws that grow directly out of our sin natures. Each individual’s fundamental task is then to respond to and then spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So how do we fulfill our mission of being the salt of the earth and light for the world? (Matthew 5:13-16 & Psalm 33:12) Should that involve activity in politics? One thought to consider in answering that question centers on influence. For after all is said and done, if Judeo/Christian values aren’t the dominant cultural influence in society, some other belief system will be. In fact, for many today, government institutions have become their church and god – as it employs them, feeds them, houses them and gives them purpose and meaning; at times even defining who they can be or should become. It wasn’t that way at the beginning, many of our founding fathers wanting to separate the masses from such oversight and manipulation, even as they realized that the American experiment in self-rule through representative government guaranteeing freedoms unknown to man before – also put us at great risk. John Adams acknowledging that, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”
Our responsibility then is to find the most effective way to reflect Christian principles in a political system that is required to govern all of “we the people” – believer and unbeliever alike – promoting moral values that undergird any society that embraces them; even as we realize that the Bible is long on principles which men should live by but short on rules we can legitimately use to force proper behavior. Some of the broad Biblical principles with political implications being a commitment to justice (Psalm 9:16 & 11:7, Proverbs 24:9), belief in the sanctity of life (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13, Psalm 119:73, Jeremiah 1:5, Matthew 12:11, Luke 12:6,7) an emphasis on caring for the less fortunate (James 2:14-19,1 John 3:16,17; Matthew 25:31-45), personal accountability and a strong work ethic (1 Thessalonians 4:11, Tit. 3:14,2 Thessalonians 3:7-10), and the promotion of peace for all people. (Matthew 5:9, James 3:18)
Religion and politics can co-exist productively together. However, their partnership should never be a comfortable one. The state is ordained of God, but it is a temporary institution run predominately by sinful men regardless of political affiliation. In fact, history has repeatedly demonstrated the power of government to do evil when unregenerate men are in control and good people acquiesce to their will. (Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot and Mengistu to name but a few in recent history.) The promise of the Kingdom of heaven being quite different than the kingdoms of men.
By all means, be informed and get involved, but don’t let “good intentions” be the end of it. After the elections, regardless of who wins, work to make this country the best it can be as we “season” the rest of society with the love of Christ and his principles of righteous living.
1 Beyond Good Intentions, Doug Bandow, published by Crossway Books, part of the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series
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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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