Some friends recently returned from a stay at a kibbutz in Israel. The individuals they were staying with believe they have the solution to the problems in the Middle-East: if only the people were allowed to go about their daily lives free of political agendas and politicians, there would be peace and harmony.
This assessment is based on the liberal fallacy that man is essentially good and, if left alone, his innate goodness would flourish resulting in God’s kingdom being established on earth. Political liberals believe this, as do religious liberals. What they are both overlooking is the Jeremiah 17:9 factor: original sin.
Mankind is not innately good, he is innately evil. That is not to say every person is as evil as he could be, but that no person is as good as he should be. Even Christians who have been judicially exonerated through Christ’s atoning sacrifice will continue to sin as long as they are this side of heaven, since their old nature is still present.
The secular government has a divinely appointed role in restraining evil – a fact that goes unrecognised by political and religious liberals.
Conservatism is built on the idea of original sin — on the assumption of human fallibility and uncertainty. To remedy our fallen condition, conservatives believe in civilization — in social structures, permanent institutions and just authorities, which embody the accumulated wisdom of the ages and structure individual longings.
Very well articulated indeed. I would very much like to cross-post this one.
Thanks Stuart – please do.
Pingback: Why Christians should be politically conservative | eChurch Christian Blog
I disagree with you, David. You don’t have to believe that man is essentially good to think that a strong central government is a good idea, or that the government has a role to play in maintaining a social safety net. It is quite possible to be a bible believing Christian and vote Liberal or NDP.
“Mankind is not innately good, he is innately evil. That is not to say every person is as evil as he could be …” I have heard it said that “the line between goodness and badness passes through every human heart” – indeed, and in everyday life one experiences goodness and badness from people (often both from the same person); but innate evil is definitely right. Sure, “Original sin” doesn’t sound good; I call it “the optimistic doctrine” (http://www.affirmingthefaith.com/opt_doc.htm)