Many Christians have been led to believe that we should be as neutral as possible on the great social and political issues of our time so as to eliminate any unnecessary distractions or impediments in our witness to others. After all, they say, what really matters is the gospel. The implication is that politics is unspiritual, dirty and divisive, so for the sake of our Christian testimony we should stay focused on “things above” rather than “worldly” concerns.
I concede that politics is often about the acquisition (and often the abuse) of earthly power and that many politicians are little more than proverbial “pigs at the trough.” But this mentality is nonetheless quite naive and counter-productive. I’m not sure that I agree with the common adage, “Everything is political,” but much in life certainly is. For example, both the early Christians and their state-approved persecutors were quick to realize that there is no more “political” statement than the declaration, “Jesus is Lord!”
When asked, “Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind.’ This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” – i.e., “Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you” (Matt. 22:36-39) .
Now my question is this: How can we possibly love others unless we are sensitive to – and attentive to – not only their religious and spiritual lives, but their physical, material, emotional, social, intellectual, and creative needs as well? How can we truly love others if we care little about the quality of their lives in a wholistic sense?
Furthermore, how can we possibly love others if we are indifferent toward the kinds of laws and public policies that regulate (and often control) their lives? And how can we possibly imagine that the lives of those whom we love – both family members and close friends – are not profoundly impacted by the dominant values of our society and the dominant messages (either subliminal or overt) that are transmitted through our culture? In reality, we are all affected, whether we realize it or not, by the Zeitgeist – the “spirit” of our times. The real issue is whether we more influenced by these forces or the values and priorities of the Kingdom of God.
The Christian faith is more than merely one’s own “personal relationship” with Christ outside the larger context of Christian discipleship. Nor can the Christian faith be reduced exclusively to personal piety. In its fullest dimension, Christianity is a comprehensive worldview that influences, conditions and regulates how we think and respond to the full range of issues that affect humanity. This was a central theme in the writings of Francis Schaeffer and what he referred to as “the lordship of Christ over the whole of life.”
Realistically, politics is mostly about damage-control, and at least in that regard it can certainly be contentious, divisive and unsatisfying. As such, it often comes down to keeping the very worst people out of positions of power and influence. And of course, no manmade political party or ideology has a monopoly on truth, reason and wisdom. But it is simplistic, foolish and dangerous to assume that because all parties and ideologies are flawed, therefore they must all be morally equivalent. This is a classic expression of a reductio ad absurdum.
Unfortunately, here is the stark reality: In our current political climate, the Democratic Party serves as the powerful political arm of a militantly secular and ultimately dehumanizing social, cultural and political agenda that is rapidly destroying most everything that is good and decent in America. It is, in effect, the initiator and proponent of most laws, policies and programs that are immoral, irrational, impractical, irresponsible, and counter-productive. The modern Democratic Party not only shows little regard for the rule of law as established in the U.S. Constitution but also functions as the foremost proponent of abortion-on-demand, open borders, racial polarization, public indecency, incivility, sexual chaos, civil disorder, liberalized drug and pornography laws, and increased restrictions on religious liberty. It has also become a radical secular socialist party. If anyone dismisses this as political hyperbole, simply challenge them to compare the current Democratic Platform with Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto.
So while the Republican Party is often a source of disappointment (or even embarrassment) and has the well-earned reputation as the party of mediocrity, the Democratic Party proudly functions as the party of venality. And therein lies the difference. One is a concession to human weakness, whereas the other is a testament to human depravity. One is at least theoretically redeemable while the other is a lost cause. To ignore the differences and pretend otherwise is tantamount to willful ignorance.
Politics is not ultimately what matters most in this life, nor is it the answer to mankind’s deepest needs. The gospel is. But as Jesus clearly taught, the Main Thing is not the Only Thing, and to truly love others as we love ourselves – including not only our contemporaries but our children and grandchildren – there is a social and a political component that cannot be denied or ignored. We should care deeply about the kind of society and culture in which we and others live.
Ultimately, our current American crisis is merely the surface-level manifestation of an intense and ferocious conflict being waged in the spiritual realm that can only be rectified by the power of the gospel. But Christian discipleship is wholistic, and to ignore the social, cultural and political implications of our calling in Christ is not only cowardly and irresponsible but immoral.
