Political invoment when is it too much?

[efduncan]

At what point do we say our involment in politics is hurting our faith and witness to the lost? And I feel as we esp in the southern baptist get more involved with politics the type of christianity represented seems to get more militant.

[WayneinMaine]

At what point do we say our involment in politics is hurting our faith and witness to the lost? And I feel as we esp in the southern baptist get more involved with politics the type of christianity represented seems to get more militant.


Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36

Paul wrote: "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:20

[arunma]

I would suggest that Christians ought to be involved in politics. As it says,
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Clearly we are called to have some effect on the world. It would be foolish to adhere to the secular logic that religion should be a private affair, which should not effect every aspect of our lives. The problem, at least for American Christians, arises (to the best of my knowledge) when we simplify politics by identifying a specific political party with the will of God. Usually people tend to believe that the Republican party has some special blessing from God, though some people ascribe this status to the Democrats as well. Neither political party properly addresses all of the things that God values. Republicans, for example, respect the life of the unborn, but engage in and support reprehensible business practices that severely disadvantage the poor and encourage greed. Democrats express a proper concern for the environment, but support evils such as homosexuality. And somehow we seem to have bought into the secular idea of the "American Dream," which is entirely unbiblical.

Should Christians be very concerned about politics? Yes, I think so. But I think that it is incredibly irresponsible for Christians to suggest that God supports either of our major political parties and demands for us to consistently vote in one direction.

[BereanTodd]

I think we are vastly too involved allready. The early church did not transform the world by gaining control of the Roman Senate and legislating Christian morality. They did it by living their faith out before men and women, sharing the Gospel, and yes even being persecuted. We are way, way too political, it is damaging to the Gospel, and I absolutely HATE when I come to church on July 4th or some similar instance and see us sing American patriotic songs and talk about America. I always sit there thinking "what if someone from the persecuted church were visiting us here today, what would they think of this 'worship' and preaching that we are offering??"

[WayneinMaine]

I think we are vastly too involved allready. The early church did not transform the world by gaining control of the Roman Senate and legislating Christian morality. They did it by living their faith out before men and women, sharing the Gospel, and yes even being persecuted. We are way, way too political, it is damaging to the Gospel, and I absolutely HATE when I come to church on July 4th or some similar instance and see us sing American patriotic songs and talk about America. I always sit there thinking "what if someone from the persecuted church were visiting us here today, what would they think of this 'worship' and preaching that we are offering??"


I believe Jesus when He told the good news of the Kingdom of God. I believe His kingdom is a real social entity. If we belong to the kingdom of God , and if God is our sovereign, how can we ally ourselves with one of the world's governments and social orders?

[arunma]

I think we are vastly too involved allready. The early church did not transform the world by gaining control of the Roman Senate and legislating Christian morality. They did it by living their faith out before men and women, sharing the Gospel, and yes even being persecuted. We are way, way too political, it is damaging to the Gospel, and I absolutely HATE when I come to church on July 4th or some similar instance and see us sing American patriotic songs and talk about America. I always sit there thinking ;what if someone from the persecuted church were visiting us here today, what would they think of this 'worship' and preaching that we are offering??This concerns me as well, for similar reasons as what you describe. America is not a Christian nation. We ought to work towards the goal of making it a Christian nation, but it currently isn't, and history demonstrates that it was founded on pseudochristian values at best. American values such as democracy, liberty (not to be confused with Christian liberty), the right to property, and the pursuit of happiness, are not necessarily bad ones, but they most certainly are not taught in the Scriptures. Thus, the only reason I can see for the undue reverence some churches give to America is based on one thing: nationalism. It would be very dangerous for Americans to delude ourselves into believing that our nation is more godly than Saudi Arabia (or insert other overtly non-Christian nation of your choice).

[DominusIesus]

At what point do we say our involment in politics is hurting our faith and witness to the lost? And I feel as we esp in the southern baptist get more involved with politics the type of christianity represented seems to get more militant.

I would suggest that you have a read of "The New Testament and the State" by N. T. Wright.

[PaladinGirl]

I say that Baptists should be involved in politics. However, there can come a point when it can be excessive. One should watch out for that point.