Political definition: relating to the government or public affairs of a country.

 It is sometimes stated that Christians should not get involved in politics or that certain things are too “political” and therefore they are “taboo”.  Perhaps I should make my position clear on those things.  As a Christian I do not vote and have never voted a political party into power. Why should I vote?   I am already the citizen of a different country, a country whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11.10). It is to him that I have given my allegiance and to no one else.  And I already have my passport (baptism) and my ticket (agape).  As a younger man I refused military conscription (the draft) and had to undergo a “psychological assessment” (which declared me as probably functioning normally- LOL )  and I was assigned alternative work.  I will not fight wars for any nation state, nor will I vote politicians into power who will do things that I disagree with (but am nevertheless responsible for because I voted them into power).   So, my position is clear.  As a Christian I am required to pay my taxes and obey the law (if it does not contradict serving God) but I am not required to vote or kill people for the state.

However, this does not mean that as Christians we cannot be critical of politicians, political processes or political decisions.  In fact, it is our duty to be critical of malfeasance, warmongering, lying etc and it is even our duty to offer support to those who are critical.  There are many questions that have been “politicized” for example the fraught question on abortion.  Should we remain silent on these and other social issues because it is “political”.    How about an increasingly corrupt banking system?   Should we remain silent on the issue?  Or starting a new war in the Middle East? Should we support those who speak out or remain silent?  Should we sign a petition demanding a system that operates more honestly?  Or should we remain silent?  Evil thrives when good men (and women) stay silent.  

 

Speaking Truth to Power

Everything that John the Baptist and Jesus did had a “political” dimension, or do you not think that when John the Baptist criticized Herod that was not a political act?    Do you not think when Jesus overturned the money changers tables that was not a political act?   Challenging the bankers and the moneychangers is always a political act.  Everything is a political act and staying silent is also a political act because it is interpreted as acquiescence.   I chose to be like my Lord and speak truth to power.

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,
Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause
came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. 
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.   
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? 
And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, 
and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all”. 
(John 18:37-38)

Strangely enough those who say that they are not political are often the most political.  They justify their intellectual support and demonization of certain countries or unreserved support of certain other countries because of their interpretation of prophecy.  They swallow  government propaganda because it supports their prophetic worldview. Although they do not vote they are therefore also acting politically (even if they are not consciously aware of it). 

So, yes, I am being “political”, I will continue to overthrow the tables of the money power, continue to speak out against oppression, malfeasance, corruption, warmongering and propaganda. The time for being a “silent” Christian has long gone.