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07/22/2003 Entry: "Christians and politics"

I was reading about a journalist who was once surprised by an unexpected sign that he was getting old. He was attending a game of rugby - a sport he enjoyed - when he suddenly realised that he didn’t care which side won. The story reminded me of what seems to be growing apathy towards the political process, especially (though not exclusively) among the young.

Christians sometimes find another excuse for indifference to politics. "We shouldn't get involved in such worldly stuff -- the spiritual is our concern." It's an attractive excuse, but it won't do. If we believe that in Jesus God has invloved himself in the whole of human life, it is surely part of the calling of Christians too. For Christians our engagement with the political process this is not just a civic duty but also a moral and spiritual responsibility. We are under the authority of Jesus to ‘render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar’ whilst owing our supreme obedience to God. Christians are called to discern the signs of the times and to be aware of the major issues of the day which call for action and response.

The theologian Karl Barth said that whenever God addresses human beings it is always to change the subject. Christian voters may want to do the same when it comes to political and social priorities. The newspapers may insist that the big issues are the economy, taxation, the ‘euro’ and so on. These are vital, but they cannot stand alone. There are other issues which are often marginalised by politicians but which will vitally affect the future of all of us. These include the environment, the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, overseas aid and development and the needs of poor, elderly, homeless and long-term unemployed.

These are gospel priorities. They are in accord with John Wesley’s insistence that his followers should go, “Not only to those who need you, but those who need you most”. If Christians do not attempt to bring the values of the Kingdom of God into politics, who will?