Sheep

This may be the most controversial post I've ever considered making. I haven't exactly decided which direction to take it, so we'll just see where it goes.

I'm sure you're all well aware of the Chic-fil-a scandal that has filled the news and social media airways for weeks. There are so many things to say about that situation, all of which have already been said by others, probably better than I could have said them.

I'll make my view succinct and move on. I don't disagree that banning a business based on the personal beliefs of the leadership seems unconstitutional and discriminatory. I do disagree that the “christian” response should be a nationwide battle cry rallying every mainstream christian against said discrimination and, therefore, the gay-marriage issue at hand; thereby adding further layers of division (and hatred) between the two groups. In my little mind and world, the appropriate response is using the publicity to engage with those around you, to communicate love and move towards better understanding among people. Unfortunately, I think the world saw a bunch of sheep lined up under the banner of Christ, perpetuating stereotypes in a laughable display of team spirit. I could say more, but I won't.

What I really want to say is this: When did we start believing that the Christian's duty is to preserve and advance Christian agendas in politics?

I think I'm about to get really unpopular, so let me add a disclaimer. I really know nothing about politics. Also, I don't care. I couldn't be more apathetic and uninformed if I tried. This is the way I choose to handle the issue. I'm not saying it's doctrine. But consider my logic before you tune out.

So. When did it become a Christians duty to engage and promote Christian agendas in politics? I've heard the argument, “Our country was FOUNDED on Christian principles.” “We are a Christian nation.” Really? Again, I'm not a history buff, but my understanding is that our country was founded on the right to be free, and that freedom involved keeping government and religious institutions from overlapping.

Can anyone really look at me with a straight face and say that we are a christian nation (today)? Not the world I live in. Don't get me wrong. I see a lot of beauty in our world, and certainly a more main-stream christian voice than any other country in the world. But I also see pain, poverty, crime and brokenness. Sheep without a Sheperd. Maybe we are a nation with a lot of churches, but that's not what comes to mind when I imagine what God's true Christian nation, His Kingdom, will be when it reigns.

And what did Jesus say about governments?

He said to obey them, I know that. In Romans 13, Christians are admonished, 'Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.' If you look in Mark 12:13-17, you'll find the religious leaders of His time trying to trap Jesus with a question about morality. They asked Him whether or not they should pay taxes to the government of their time. Jesus asked them to bring Him a coin, and tell Him whose picture was on the coin. It was Ceasar. Ours would be Lincoln or Washington, etc. He said, give Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's, and give God the things that are God's. This speaks to the duty of Christians to be subject to and obey its leadership, knowing that God is in dominion OVER the governments over us.

What else?

He said they can't separate us from Him. In Romans 8, verse 35, the question is raised, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Even as His followers we're persecuted, 'as sheep to be slaughtered' (vs36), he gives a long list of things that can't separate us from Christ. Governments/Rulers are included among distress, famine, danger, death, life, angels, present, past, height, depth or ANYTHING else (vs 35,38,39). Nothing can separate us from Him (except, maybe, ourselves. And that is a whole nother topic).

And?

And He said that's not what His Kingdom is about (see The (entire) Bible). When I read the Bible, I see example after example of lovers and followers of God, who misunderstood the purpose and calling of His Kingdom. The Israelites (God's chosen Jewish followers, from thousands of years ago), waited for a Messiah who would come and give them political freedom from their oppressors. Unfortunately, many Jews are still waiting for this political overthrow today.

The apostles, Jesus' first followers who lived with and ministered with Him for 3 years before His crucifixion, also awaited a governmental overthrow. They saw Jesus' power as the opportunity they had been waiting for to throw off bondage and set up a new government, with Christ (and His principles) as head. Even after His resurrection, the book of Acts (1:6-11), records the disciples asking Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” They just didn't get it, that the kingdom of God is not one waged on a political level.

So my question remains. When did we start believing that it's a Christians duty to advocate Christian principles in government?

For me, I choose political apathy, trusting God isn't blind to or powerless against political institutions. He simply doesn't need (or ask) me to be distracted from His kingdom work, to engage in the seemingly pointless rhetoric of politics.

My stance.

I will say. If you are a follower of Christ, He has given you His Spirit to help guide you. If that Spirit has impassioned you for political issues, by all means, be faithful to the call you feel on your life. There are surely many valuable moral/ethical issues to advocate for.

But I challenge you to consider what exactly the goal is for your passion for politics, and what fruit do you see coming from it? Is it love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control? Or is it bitterness, envy, hatred, anger and the like?

Is the whole point of our faith protecting our right to say “One nation, under God” at school? To keep anyone other than man/woman from having the governmental benefits of marriage? To keep Focus on the Family and Joel Osteen on the TV and radio waves?

I could be way off, but I tend to think there's something much deeper and more profound that we're called to. Maybe you have enough energy and discipline to go around, but I certainly don't. I have too much fatigue, distraction and disobedience to spend my limited time, energy and spiritual ambition on things of that sort (although, there are certainly WORSE things to spend them on).

Just some more of Bria's thoughts to ponder. Again, I love talking about this stuff and am certainly open to rebuke. Bring it!