In our highly charged and often dysfunctional political culture, I have struggled as a disciple of Jesus Christ, with the role I should have in the political process. Some of my friends view politics and politicians as allies to accomplish God’s purposes, while others avoid any political entanglement, viewing its divisive nature and worldly focus as a potential threat to their faith.
In the past, I embraced politics as a friend and ally. As a college student in the late 80s, I attended a conference with Ralph Reed and embraced the mission of the Christian Coalition. I was thrilled to be part of a political organization that championed the causes I cared about. In those early years of my Christian life, I couldn’t imagine a fellow believer not being interested and engaged in the political process. As a seminary student, I remember a professor talking about an upcoming election and explaining that he was very careful not to confuse his faith with politics. He believed the inherent power and influence of politics did not mix well with faith. He warned us against allowing our politics to shape our faith rather than being shaped by it. My professor refused to be engaged in politics beyond fulfilling his civic responsibility by voting in major elections. I was astounded by my professor’s seeming lack of spirituality. How did he not realize the potential benefits of aligning with politicians and political movements that championed Christian causes? As time passed, I continued to be serious about politics. I stayed abreast of political news, advocated for political causes, and encouraged my friends and family to be political. But I also began to grow disenchanted, and eventually disgusted, with the unfulfilled promises, divisive culture, and ineffectiveness of my nation’s politics. What is worse, I hated what my engagement in the political process was doing to me. While probably not the most articulate one in the room when it came to politics, I was at least the loudest. I espoused my views often and I boldly challenged those who disagreed with me. I had become a self-appointed culture warrior. Until one day, I realized that while I did an awful lot of talking and arguing about what was important in my faith, I did not actually do much of anything. My political views and advocacy had become a large part of “doing ministry”. In some ways in my life, politics had become a surrogate for the gospel and Kingdom work. God showed me that I had misplaced my faith. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I felt compelled to repent of my misplaced faith in politics and seek a better understanding of how I could be more effectively involved in God’s Kingdom work. While I was once merely politically pro-life, God led me to live out my pro-life beliefs by participating in adoption and foster care ministry. I was also led to roll up my sleeves and get to work ministering among people who have been broken by homelessness, drug addiction, sexual immorality, and various other societal problems I once thought only to talk about or preach against. I have had the profound privilege of seeing God work mightily in healing many broken lives. I also developed a new set of eyes to see the people I once considered enemies as precious beyond measure to God. I repented of the hardness of my heart and asked God to help me truly love people that lived in ways or espoused views with which I disagreed. I also asked God to help me treat them with God honoring respect and compassion. As a citizen of the United States, I stay politically informed and I vote my conscience because it is my right and my responsibility. But, I no longer have the illusion that the political process is an ally to my faith. In my case, politics and allegiance to a political ideology hindered my faith. I understand that there are differing views on political involvement by Christians, and I don’t dispute that there are great examples of politics and politicians being used by God. I’ve simply come to believe that one’s level of political involvement as a believer is a matter of conscience to be carefully and prayerfully discerned.
Cliff
12/15/2017 02:35:27 pm
Very good article. Especially the final paragraph!
Tony
12/16/2017 01:22:29 pm
Thanks Cliff, Comments are closed.
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Tony HoffmanCampus Pastor at First Baptist Church in Leesburg, FL where his passion is to help people discover and live out their calling in Christ. Tony regularly consults, speaks, and teaches about discipleship and Christian education. Archives
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