Faith and Politics
Session 1: On Kicking a Hornet’s Nest
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. – C.S. Lewis
Man is by nature a political animal. - Aristotle
Two Bad Positions on Faith and Politics:
- Utopianism: Politics is Everything
- Pietism: Politics are Unspiritual
Why is it so hard to talk about politics in church?
- It is controversial—other people in the church may disagree with us.
- It is exhausting—trying to have emotionally tense conversations is hard.
- It is complicated—wise political thinking acknowledges the complexity of issues.
- It is overwhelming—politics change so rapidly now it is hard to keep up.
- It is fraught with failure—so many political leaders and parties have failed.
- It is worldly—is it even right to talk about this in church?
Why should we talk about faith and politics?
- The Bible does.
- The world is—and they are ready to disciple you.
- When we fail to talk about this, the worst impulses tend to take root.
- There are real consequences when we neglect politics. Visited a dictatorship lately?
- Someone’s morality must be legislated.
- Political theory is a byproduct of your theology. Secularism doesn’t exist.
- Love thy neighbor…what does this look like in a democracy?
A Better Way Forward:
- The Bible teaches us that government is a blessing from God.
- The Bible teaches us that government is a danger to the Church.
- The Bible does not prescribe one specific form of government, but has much to say about the purpose of human government, human nature, and human flourishing.
- The Bible has much to offer us in the form of wisdom.
