Taking Sides: The Christian's Responsibility in Civic Affairs (Part 2)

This is the second in a series of essays on the duty of Christians in civic affairs, adapted from Kevin Kookogey’s weekly radio address and podcasts at advancingchurch.com.

1. Christians should be informed about politics, but should they really determine which political side is correct?

How can one claim that it is important for Christians to be informed about politics if the conclusion one draws from the information is deemed irrelevant or off limits? It is, after all, conclusions that lead one to act and to act is to take sides.

We are not just watching a movie or playing a game here. It defies human reason to suggest that we inform ourselves about political matters yet take no side. It would be like telling someone that it is important to read recipes but not make meals; to look at menus without ordering food; or to chew but not swallow.

The belief that our deepest convictions should not inform our political views is a manifestation of the endless effort to separate consequences from ideas. Politics are merely a practical means of implementing a body of beliefs about the human condition. And since our views about the human condition are informed by our religious beliefs, it is entirely appropriate that our Christian faith should inform our political views and cause us to make decisions.

The suggestion that we not support the side we believe to be correct presupposes the possibility of neutrality. But claiming neutrality on political issues is akin to saying one has no worldview – no beliefs – on political issues. Is not the demand that we discuss the importance of politics while insisting on neutrality really just an attempt to silence opinions...

However far it goes, it should stop at the point of proposing to take over a government in the name of the church — even if the church gets begged to do it. “We’re going to claim this country for Christ” only works if everybody’s also a believer. Believing is voluntary; it always has been, it always will be, this is the reason that hell is possible, because salvation won’t be forced against someone’s eternal will.

Several points...

Christians are entitled to political view points even when the view point is not informed by religious views.
Every citizen, including Christians, has a responsibility to inform themself on political matters. But if you don't inform yourself, you really shouldn't be voting. Get out the vote campaigns of people who are uninformed do a disservice to voters who are informed and to everyone who has to live with the results.
Sometimes issues get religionized when they shouldn't. No Cruz isn't the mesiah. No you don't stop being a Christian just because you are in favor of or against music copyrights. etc.
We need to be careful about demonizing people who don't agree with us. I hear people say no Christian can be a democrat. That's just not true. There are a whole bunch of issues that define a party and neither party is perfect.
Sometimes we seem afraid to religionize an issue that should be. Why are we against abortion? It's primarily because scripture appears to indicate life begins at conception and authority was only given to man by the Creator to take life for social justice reasons, not for convenience reasons. We shouldn't be afraid to use those reasons and talk about those reasons. Because sometimes science needs to catch up.

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