4 posts tagged “redemption”

I believe that the democratic process is truly an enlightened form of government.  It is a process that was unknown in the time of Paul and Augustine - not to say that their wisdom does not apply - but that we can look at some of their admonitions about mixing the godly and temporal through that lens. 

I also believe that democracy is impacted by the eternal in the same way that kings and rulers of the Bible were impacted.  Therefore, our democratic form of governing is subject to the redemption of Christ.  It is not inherently evil or sinful. 

Some Christians believe that engaging in the political process is somehow not compatible with Christianity.  They believe that some line exists that Christian must not cross - that it makes us who are spiritual sullied in the things of this world. 

Where is this line that followers of Jesus must abide?  Why can't a Christian run candidates, engage in political discourse and even lobby fully in the Spirit and without sin?  What is it about the political process that puts limits on a spirit filled Christian? 

I was having a conversation with a friend and asked them if their church had a citizenship or salt and light ministry. "Oh, no,"  they said, "Our pastor makes sure to keep politics our of everything.  He believes it is devisive." 

I replied, "I wonder what he thinks of me: a spririt filled Christian making politics his vocation and ministry?  Maybe I don't really exist." 

Now I can understand how some would criticize the models of political involvment that currently exist for Christians.  I can also understand that its hard to deal with things that, done poorly, can be divisive.  But I reject the notion that politics- particularly in our democratic system - is somehow inherently unredeemable and therefore, it is unfit for the Christian community or part of our corporate life. 

With respect to redeeming politics, it specifically takes those who carry the Gospel within them to redeem this system that is often far from the ideal.  It takes those who are committed to Christ to build relationships with those with their hands on the wheels of politics to introduce them to the one who created freedom and equality.  It takes us, in all our broken-ness and forgiven sin to  wade into the gray and let the Spirit shine its light.  For only then will we really see and operate politically in all the fulness of what the democratic system was designed to be. 
 

What did Jesus mean when he proclaimed "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"?  We know that Jesus' incarnation meant an end to the reign of sin and death.  But Jesus was also to referring to a whole new order for our lives; a re-ordering of values, priorities, and relationships.  Jesus summarized this new order in the Beatitudes.

The Kingdom of Heaven is now here whether this current kingdom is ready or not.  It is breaking through like the light of dawn breaking through the clouds.  It is still overcast but we know that nothing can keep the sun from dispatching the clouds and shedding its light over all.  Our task is to look forward and act on the reality of the coming kingdom as oppossed to the apparant kindgom we see all around. 

 As change agents of the Kingdom of God, it is our mission to help pull away the facade of the currrent kingdom.  Our goal is to change the world we touch by identifying with Christ and letting his redemptive power move through us to others.  Surrendering out heart to God's will opens us up to his transformation and the redemption of the old to the new.

The key is our hearts.  Christ came to heal, renew, and make whole our hearts so that, as we live and move through our lives in this corrupt decaying world, our friends, associates, neighbors, and co-workers will catch a glimpse of Jesus in our lives. 

As C.S. Lewis wrote, we are agents behind enemy lines inflitrating a kingdom whose fate is sealed.  Nothing will stop the new redemptive kingdom.  Let us conform our wills to that of the Lord's and, in so doing, advance his Kingdom. 

According to the Canton Repository, the Religous Left is organizing to counter the Religous Right.   The RL is working to broaden the scope of issues with which people of faith are active to include increasing the minimum wage, protecting the environment, expanding subsidized health care, and opposing the war in Iraq.

This is great news!  Nothing is better to foster discussion than countervailing positions.  Additionally, its about time the Religous Right was challenged to consider issues besides abortion and homosexuality. 

It is concerning, however, that the motivation of the RL is that they are tired that, because they call themselves Christians, people assume that they are pro-life and pro-traditional marriage.  The article seems more focused on dueling ideolgies than on the spriritual. In fact, the Reverend Eric Brown's disclosure that he is a moderate seems to point to the fact that he can use his church to further his political objectives.  That's disturbing. 

This all boils down to Brand L versus Brand R.  That's too bad.  But in such a dichotomy it certainly opens things up for the emergence of new, more redemptive models. 

Politics.  A powerful word. 

Despite all the values associated with politics, it is as much a part of life as money, meetings, and merging on the freeway.  It can be good.  It can be bad. 

Fortunately, politics is not outside of the reach of God.  Not only did He create us, He created the systems and relationships that affect our lives - including politics.  Therefore, that system by which we collectively determine how to govern ourselves are waiting to be redeemed by those who bear His name. 

1TIM2 is a way for Christ-followers to better understand how to impact government, politics, public policy and social issues.  It is a way for God's Spirit to work through his Ambassadors and redeem the sphere of law, policy and regulation.

1TIM2 focuses on prayer, education, relationships and service.  These four areas establish a new model for involvement by Christ-followers to engage decisions and decision-makers.

More details are coming forth as this is a work in progress.  But, in the meantime, please feel free to post your opinions about how politics and faith come together in an integrated and effective way. 

Thanks for visiting and I look forward to working together toward redemption.