I am usually uneasy when a clergyman or a denomination spends a lot of time advocating a particular political view: to do so inevitably seems to lead to the Gospel becoming subservient to politics. I believe this tendency is worse on the political left than the right: mainline churches in North America – notably Anglican and United – have, for the most part, replaced the Gospel with politics. The obfuscating strategy of calling their political manoeuvring “the gospel” fools no-one.
But what should be the relationship between Christianity and politics? Christians have been squabbling over this since Jesus said “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”
Two former aids to President Bush have written a book called City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era; there is an interview with the authors here. They have this to say about the Christian right:
In important respects, the old model, as embodied in the religious right, is passing away. Some of its key figures — people such as D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell — have literally passed from the scene. Others, like Pat Robertson and James Dobson, are less influential than they were. So there is a generational shift that’s occurring.
But we also know from survey data that many Christians who are politically and theologically conservative have turned against the brand of politics practiced by religious-right leaders. Many conservative Christians are looking for a new model of social engagement; they want their leaders to display a lighter touch, a less desperate and anxious spirit, and a more gracious tone.
About St. Paul:
More than any other New Testament figure, he laid out a Christian view of the purpose of government — to restrain evil and promote justice. Rulers are God’s servants, St. Paul wrote; civil government itself was established by God. Christ Himself did not lay out a political philosophy per se; it was left to St. Paul, among others, to interpret Christian ideals in the context of his time, which of course was during the reign of the Roman empire. As a Christian you cannot engage the issue of politics and the role of government without dealing with St. Paul’s thinking.
On Bush, they say:
President Bush showed deep human sympathy for those suffering and in need — and he used the power of his office to do something about it. I think history will say about Bush that he liberated millions of people in foreign lands and, through his AIDS and malaria initiatives, saved millions of lives. As president, he respected different religious faiths and understood their power to do good even as he was deeply committed to pluralism and tolerance. He showed that in the aftermath of 9/11, with his outreach to Muslim Americans. And George W. Bush is also a man of grace. When a senior aide left the White House and later wrote a book that was a betrayal, the president pulled aside his key advisers and told them to show grace, not retribution, for this particular person. Not many presidents — in fact, not many individuals — would have done such a thing.
