In a recent AP article we read:
Most young Americans say the Republican and Democratic
parties don’t represent them, a critical data point after a year of ferocious
presidential primaries that forced
partisans on both sides to confront what—and whom—they stand for…. More than two-thirds of young adults,
including vast majorities of young Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and blacks, say
the Republican party does not care about people like them. Democrats fare a bit
better among young people overall, with a small majority—53 percent—saying the
party cares about people like them…. The results of the survey of Americans age
18-30 reflect something of an identity crisis for both parties heading into the
future, driven in part by deep antipathy toward the presidential candidates
they nominated.[1]
Not only do these results portray apathy toward the two parties and
their respective candidates, I believe they also uncover apathy and mistrust of
politics in general and politicians in particular. It is not a large step to
the conclusion that somehow the political process itself is innately evil at
worst or at best is simply unworthy of our attention and energies.
My concern is that if we do to not reverse these thoughts and this
trend, the political process and the government of our nation will do nothing
but get worse.
I am not arrogant enough to think that my blogging on politics will
make all the difference or turn the tide in our country. But I do believe I can
make a difference in the small corner where I live and among the web of
relationships I have. Who knows, maybe that web can shape more webs and those
webs more webs…(?).
It is with the desire to start a greater, deeper, and more helpful
discussion that I launch this blog, “Walking Together In The Public Square.” I
have named it such because for years I have referred to that arena where ideas
about public policy are discussed and then carried out as the “public square.”
This goes back all the way to the 1980’s and a book by Lutheran-pastor-turned-Catholic-Priest,
Richard John Neuhaus, The
Naked Public Square. The
blog’s title has “walking together” in it because I want to encourage us to
hear each other out, see what we have in common and if we can walk together,
and also as we walk together, to hear what God’s Revelation has to say about
our direction.
Speaking of direction, wisdom from the Old Testament sage will guide us
(I hope) in these discussions: “If one gives an answer before hears, it is his
folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13, ESV).
In the interest of full disclosure I want to set forth briefly as I
close out this post some presuppositions that will serve as guideposts along
the way.
(1) I am a Christian theist,
meaning that I believe the God of the Christian Scriptures (Old and New Testaments)
is the God who exists and has created mankind in his image, which implies at
the very least we are to operate in this world for God’s glory (reflecting who
he is) and each other’s benefit (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; Psalm 8).
(2) I believe God has revealed
himself to us in those same Scriptures just mentioned and so we turn to them
not only to find out who God is, but also how we know him, and how we function
in this world in such a way that brings the greatest benefit to us and others
(Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
What this means is that I will turn to these Scriptures to provide the
direction for us in how we approach politics.
(3) I believe this God has
eternally existed as a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and so for all
eternity has been in perfect loving community. As such, not only is
Christianity the only religion that can claim God is, at his very essence, love
(1 John 4:8), but also since he has created us in his image, he desires us to
love each other and strive for loving community as well (See John 13:34-35;
17:21-23; 1 John 3-4). So, as a result, I believe that as we engage in dialogue
with each other, we must not only strive to hear what each other says before we
respond (see Proverbs 29:20), we must seek to give each other the benefit of
the doubt rather than assuming the worst (1 Corinthians 13:7), and seek to
build each other up, rather than tearing down with our words (Eph. 4:29).
(4) I believe that in God’s
creation of a world he deemed “good” (Genesis 1:31), in the Second Person of
God taking on flesh (John 1:14), in the resurrection of this Second
Person—Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:4), in God’s future resurrection of all Christ
followers (1 Corinthians 15:20-21), and in God’s promise of a future new heaven
and new earth that includes the “resurrection” of this earth (Revelation 21-22)
we see the importance of this material world, our bodies, all that happens in
it, and especially what happens to those made in God’s image in this world. To
put this in another way, whether people have clothes, a place to live, food to
eat, education, and peace all matter to God and should also matter to us. This
is the “stuff” of the public square.
(5) I believe that apart from
trusting in Jesus Christ who lived, died, and was raised in the place of
sinners that they might be forgiven and reconciled to God, we cannot know the
true God, have a relationship with him, and we cannot carry out his will in
this world in the manner he desires, to the extent he wants, and for the
purposes that he values (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 2:13-16; Eph. 2:1-10). However, this
does not mean that a person apart from Christ cannot do good things—that they
cannot make decision or carry out actions in the public square that would not
be in keeping with what is good and right.
(6) I believe that the good
news of Jesus Christ’s saving work is the core of the biblical message (Eph.
1:13) and must guide the Christian in all he/she does—including all that is
done in the public square (see Romans 16:25). Part of what flows from embracing
this gospel is that a Christian has been transformed in Christ in such a way
that there should be a zeal for good works (Titus 2:11-14; 3:8, 14). This would
include meeting the physical needs of persons (Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 8-9).
(7) In light of the reality
that God has commissioned mankind to create God-honoring and people benefitting
culture (Genesis 1:26-28) and this includes the governing of people and
communities (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14)—and in light of the logic of point
#6—I also believe that it is not only right to stand against the unjust murder
of people, but to advocate government processes that work to that end and it is
not only right to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, but also to stand
against systemic injustice and unwise practices that contribute to poverty. In
other words, I believe part of the good works which God has prepared beforehand
that Christians should walk in includes involvement in the political process.
Different people will be involved to different degrees, but I believe we are
not to ignore it.
(8) So, bottom-line, I do not
believe the political process is innately evil, even though there is much evil
in the process because sinful, broken people are involved in it.
With those points made we are ready to launch. As we go forward, let’s
talk about how we can “stir up one another to love and
good works” (Heb. 10:24, ESV) in the public square!
My Monday night Bible study group read Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges. An entire chapter on the theme of government. From reading this section, two things emerged for me. One is a continual reminder that God is in control of all things. The other is God "sometimes causes government leaders or officials to make foolish decision in order to bring judgment upon a nation." I believe we have arrived at this point. We need to pray for our leaders and the decisions being made.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right, Chris!
DeleteI have to agree with point (8) and extend it. I hear far too many condemnations of capitalism as "evil" and I would argue that it is not evil but is much misdirected by evil people. Capitalism is the driving phenomenon which has allowed the growth of wealth to vastly exceed the growth of population. Given that capitalism has why there was no Malthusian catastrophy. But like politics, when it is misused by dishonest people it can result in unnecessary burden and suffering. The overlap between politics and economics is so complete that to get one system right it is imperative to understand both! Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOn target, Jerry!
Delete