Here is what I do not understand.
I see many, many pastors and others say that we are making too big a deal of all this. That the world will do what they want and we shouldn’t try to impose our standards on the world. And that, “This is not a Christian nation, but a nation with many Christians in it.”
All this is to suggest that we should just go about our business and merely try to pick up the pieces from the damage that will naturally result from following such ungodly practices. Moreover, we should not say anything (or much) as this would be judgmental and we should merely love others and be welcoming to them so as enable the sharing of the gospel with them.
So, is the church supposed to be salt and light to a dying world, or is the church supposed to be a passive sanctuary to those who may seek spiritual redemption? In a world increasingly hostile and hard of heart and unwilling to openly hear or accept the gospel, being a passive sanctuary seems like a lazy, easy-way-out position. But again, I see so many leaders who seem to advocate a flaccid position that I think many in the church are both confused and have basically recoiled from issue engagement.
ping
Well once more, do Christians have a mandate (prior to the return of Jesus) to take the reins of countries. There is a good theological argument that the answer is no.
I think you have (whether wittingly or not) set up a strawman. There is nothing wrong with giving advice. The “passive sanctuary” would sin by not evangelizing.
... I’d also add that that does not mean Christians have no PERMISSION to bring influence to bear in government structures where they can literally be part of the body politic; but even that shouldn’t go beyond the Noahide laws. It would be out of biblical bounds to try to create a “Churchoslovakia.”
Still, first things first. If Christians seem to be lacking power, the logical first place to go is their own personal devotion to the powerful Lord. And it should primarily be evangelism centered, only secondarily politically involved. Saving grace always trumps common grace in importance.
... Basically, the gospel mandate trumps any “make the nations nice” (with salt and light or otherwise) mandate. There is a deep danger in presenting Christianity to the world as if it were a great political plan. It will cheapen the gospel by providing a false alternative to it. If people think they can use “Oh, I’m American” as an answer to “Do you know Jesus the Lord” then they are in spiritual trouble.