Let's Talk Politics

The Bible is a very political book — but just not in the sense that we, as Americans, typically think of “politics.” If we read our Bible really well — Democrats & Republics, Communists & patriots, conservative right wing fundamentalists & left wing liberals — should all be deeply offended! The Gospel, in the same breath, casts a vision for eternity and for the present moment.

The Bible is a very political book. For example, did you know that the very statement, Jesus is Lord, could have gotten you killed in the 1st century Roman Empire? It directly contradicted the State-approved declaration: Ceasar is Lord. Jesus is Lord is a political statement, and it is indeed becoming controversial once again.

The implications of Jesus’ teaching, moved the worship of God away from a place (the temple in Jerusalem) and generated a new movement that centered around a person (Jesus). In its original context this was interpreted by the Jewish leaders as an assault on the economic, religious, symbolic, and political center of power— the temple. This kind of message can get you killed if spoken in the right context.

Truthfully, I often don’t want to have anything to do with many of the political causes in America today. Even many of the so called “Christian” political causes don’t always feel very Christ-like, but the political vision of the Gospel is altogether different. If you are looking for politics in the modern sense, open the New York Times, but if the vision of the wolf dwelling with the lamb appeals to you, you’re looking in the right place when you open your Bible.
Yes, as followers of Jesus, we live peacefully and respectfully by our nation’s laws — whatever nation that may be. However, we are called into a subversive lifestyle & a counter-cultural community. We are messengers of wholeness and agents of grace. We are first & foremost citizens of Heaven.

So what am I to do if a law passes that would make it a felony to offer help and hospitality (as the Good Samaritan) to my neighbor, the undocumented foreigner? In the early church hospitality was one of the central virtues of Christian faith, and as a people called to show kindness & hospitality to the orphan, the widow, and the foreigner, we are called to live in contradiction against such injustice.

It’s not the first time we’ve been faced with such contradictions. For example, as Tony Dale has expressed, I understand why there would be no prayer in public schools. I do. We live in a pluralistic society. What I don’t understand is why any Christians would actually obey this law. God’s people are called to be facilitators of grace — both locally & globally. Recently, two small groups from our Bronx/Westchester network participated in activities that reflect the quest for justice in the Bible.

There are a growing number of Christian communities that focus much of their energy on causes that promote social justice in the name of Christ. Many have also discovered that this is a powerful form of evangelism. For example, some churches have gone to build houses in Honduras or New Orleans, and they invite their unbelieving friends to come and serve along with them. They work together, share a common experience, discover opportunities to speak about their love for God while putting flesh onto the Gospel story.

The politics of the Gospel is revolutionary. Think about it. What would happen if churches all across the U.S. sold their church buildings, began meeting in homes, and used the money to rebuild Afghanistan, establish orphanages in Uganda, and start house church movements in the largest mega cities on the planet? The politics of the Gospel simply calls us to think differently.