Politics is not the Answer - Thesis #20
In our next thesis, I’d like to be as careful and accurate as possible in describing what I believe is truly an important issue for the church. None of these Jubilee theses are meant as angry criticisms, but rather joyful ways that we all need to learn to move forward together!
When it comes to the issue of politics, so many of us feel so strongly, and can get so caught up in “our side,” that we lose the ability to think and feel in a healthy way, according to Christ! In Christ there is no “other,” there is only one team, one family! Since we are all filled with Christ we all truly do want the same things! Even the guy on the other side of the political spectrum from you! We actually are all on the same team. Jesus has made us one!
The question then comes, what is the role of politics and “the state” in manifesting healthy life? In this thesis I want to challenge the modern western church fairly strongly. Sadly, we have far too often become engaged in politics at the expense of the Gospel, at the expense of Love. Politics and religion function in very similar ways. They both want to force others to do the right thing. Sometimes that is necessary, until humanity wakes up to the Gospel, but it is not the way of Jesus’ kingdom. Politics shouldn’t be a primary mark of our lives as Christians!
I want to affirm the church for wanting to do the right things. I really believe that we have holy hearts! We want the right things! We want everyone to live in health and happiness and peace! That’s wonderful! I celebrate the Body of Christ!
However, let’s start this thesis by looking at some of the words of early church leaders regarding politics…
“Jesus exercised no right of power even over His own followers, to whom He discharged menial ministry; if, in short, though conscious of His own kingdom, He shrank back from being made a king. He in the fullest manner gave His own an example for turning coldly from all the pride and garb, as well of dignity as of power. For if they were to be used, who would rather have used them than the Son of God? What kind and what number of fasces would escort Him? What kind of purple would bloom from His shoulders? What kind of gold would beam from His head, had He not judged the glory of the world to be alien both to Himself and to His disciples.” - Tertullian
“It is not for the purpose of escaping public duties that Christians decline public offices, but that they may reserve themselves for a diviner and more necessary service in the Church of God - for the salvation of men.” - Origen
“Therefore what He was unwilling to accept, He has rejected; what He rejected, He has condemned; what He condemned, He has counted as part of the devil’s pomp. For He would not have condemned things, except such as were not His; but things which are not God’s, can be no other’s but the devil’s. If you have forsworn the devil’s pomp, know that whatever you touch is idolatry. Let even this fact help to remind you that all the powers and dignities of this world are not only alien to, but enemies of God.” - Tertullian
Wow, those are some harsh words regarding politics! Now, one could use those to completely dismiss political involvement altogether! That is not my goal here, but I do wish that we would all take some time and just sit with those patristic quotes. Sit and listen deeply. Deeply.
And then consider… how much of our lives should be devoted to political involvement?
The early church obviously didn’t find it very necessary, seeming more to devote themselves to the building up of an alternate society, namely God’s church, present in the world but not of it. This is what the early church was known for. I don’t have time here to quote more, but the early church was not very political, and no it wasn’t just because they didn’t have our modern democratic systems. They often saw political power in any form as an antithesis to the Gospel!
Now, another church leader that I have gained so much from is theologian Karl Barth. Barth DID become involved in politics, and wrote extensively on how church and state can operate somewhat in harmony. Though I would give a disclaimer; his writings come with an air of hesitancy. It was nothing like the modern Christian politicians of America who seem to make way too many issues out to be a holy war.
Barth became very engaged politically specifically because he lived in Nazi Germany in the 1930s & 40s and was compelled to say something to encourage his brothers and sisters to become active to resist the Nazis. He bravely led resistance and seemed to show a path for us today. But, let us read his teachings carefully for a way forward:
“All of Barth’s works reiterate the need for separation between Church and State with each entity playing its proper, limited role. In his brief volume, “Church and State,” Barth argues that both institutions are ordained by God, but each has a particular role. The church is to proclaim justification through faith; the state is to enforce justice. (Barth, 1991, pp. 38-40) The Church proclaims the gospel and reminds the State of its role under subiection to Christ. The State should subject itself to God’s intent (not the Church’s authority) and provide justice, especially the justice that allows the Church to proclaim the gospel freely, even to the state itself. This effectively recognized the legitimacy of government as declared in Romans 13, but rejecting anything like a totalizing state that could control truth.
In short, according to Barth’s political theology, the Church has the responsibility to help the State be what it ought to be rather than simply resist it carte blanche OR support it uncritically. The Church also has a responsibility to refrain from attempting to control the State. (Barth, 1946, 154) For Barth, Christians have the responsibility to remain engaged in shaping society without seeking to dominate it to introduce a theocracy. Such a careful balance between critical participation and refusing to control is a challenge for the Church, but is essential if the Church is to retain its prophetic voice.” - Andrew Spencer’s excellent summary of some of Barth’s works
“Christians would, in point of fact, become enemies of any State if, when the State threatens their freedom, they did not resist, or if they concealed their resistance-although this resistance would be very calm and dignified.” - Karl Barth
Barth acknowledges that political governments are honored by God for us to participate in, or resist when they threaten, yet both in a calm and dignified way.
Calm and dignified… CALM AND DIGNIFIED… wow… are these terms that could describe our modern western political activities as the Body of Christ?
This does not mean that there is never a time to actively resist or to actively participate. But, we need a deep remembrance of the heart of the early church and the very life of Jesus in our bones. Jesus who “judged the glory of the world to be alien both to Himself and to His disciples.”
One additional challenge when considering our political involvement is that we so often get so riled up about our hot button issues, and every issue feels like life or death to us. And we can be tempted so quickly to wage war as the world does. The early church and Barth and so many others historic Christian leaders are clear that our main role is to provide a healthy alternate society, rather than primarily using the FORCE of political power to enforce our way. Barth used political power to challenged the Nazi’s, but does every issue have to be “Nazi-level” in our minds?? Most Christians have not engaged the glory of just being the church as the real manifestation of change on the earth! If the church simply builds a beautiful alternate society, this is our main influence. Be the change! Remove the log from our own eyes.
Sadly, because of the way we as modern western Christians have acted, even with the best intentions, many people think of us as angry unwise protesters, rather than calm and dignified Christ-like lovers.
May we remember that our kingdom is not of this world. If we feel compelled by the loving Trinity to be engaged in politics, may we seek the wisdom of the one who didn’t seek to control “others,” but to lovingly serve His whole family as one!
We all, myself included, need the prayerful influence and help of God to remain lovingly engaged in shaping society without seeking to dominate the world with religion or politics.
Our primary role is to be the change, providing a sacrament of love and grace for the world to be drawn into, Christ’s whole new world!
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Also, please watch the video version of this thesis where Matt shares more: