So last night I went to Missionfest and I got to see Tony Campolo speak. It was a great message, just like I expected it to be. At one point he talked about Matthew 4 and suggested that when Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world it was all the kingdoms... past, present and future. So what are the implications of that? What if it's true? I don't see any support for that in the Bible, it doesn't lead me to believe that He saw anything more than the kingdoms around at the time. But what if He did? That would mean that he turned down political power across time. Maybe I'm blowing this idea out of proportion but to me that seems to imply that groups like the Religious Right would be acting against this narrative. Tony addressed this in the context of Jesus having all kinds of authority, and not desiring power, not even needing it. I can see that, I agree with that. So why do so many Christians seek power? I don't think Christians should be trying to turn the world in to a big Christian ball of politics and morality, they should keep being Christians, and try to live that out, but I don't think that means enforcing our beliefs on other people.
I know I'm on a touchy subject right now. I don't really want to get too deep in to it. There's a balance, I just don't know what it is. I think Christians should be involved in politics, to the same extent everyone else is. I think they should vote for the issues that are important to them, just like everyone else should. I think they should determine on their own what issues are important to them instead of being told what they are, just like everyone else. Politics is confusing enough on its own without bringing faith into it... but sometimes it's just that hard to separate them.
Friday, April 17, 2009
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what do you mean by 'the religious right' ? If you are adopting a term used by their opponents to describe them, then you are tipping your hand before you've even begun. You mustn't believe everything you hear in the media. Surely it has occurred to you that Satan is in control of it. The real evangelical political activists of the u.s. (because i'm assuming you are referring pretty much exclusively to the u.s. as opposed to all of western evangelical Christendom)are not seeking power or influence just the chance to be heard on issues that affect them. We (evangelicals)are an oppressed people, society's predjudice against us grows daily. Am i forcing my beliefs on someone else if i want to retain my right to keep my bible on my desk at work ? Am i forcing my beliefs on someone if i want to wear a Christian t-shirt ? Am i forcing my beliefs on someone if i object to my publicly-schooled child being given an assignment to write a statement of Holy Jihad ? These are the types of "political" issues the "religious right" is involved in. Seems to me they are just... how did you put it...'being Christians and trying to live that out.' And btw, who is it that you think is telling the 'religious right' what to do ? again tipping your hand...implying that 'they' have to be told how to vote and are not 'like everyone else'... you are sounding very much like 'their' secular persecutors...
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