Ken Silva misses the point…
… of Jesus’ entire ministry.
For some reason he thinks that an adequate answer to Derek Webb’s criticisms that the church has been co-opted by those trying to build a political kingdom is that other parts of the church have been co-opted by those trying to build a different style of political kingdom.
If Silva understood the gospel at all he’d understand the problem isn’t in the kind of political kingdom being built, but that either type of political kingdom misses the gospel entirely.
I prefer Anthony Bradley’s analysis:
Because evangelicals have too closely aligned themselves with political agendas, instead of the Scripture-derived social mission of the church, two camps have emerged over the past few decades. On the one hand, you have the “Christian-means-Republican†camp where many biblical imperatives are pursued through legislation and government force, and on other hand, you have the pathetic economics and theocratic biblical theology of prophetical left in the likes of guys like Bono, the One Campaign, and so on. Both camps pursue the same method, except that “the right†might start with the Pentateuch and Romans whereas “the left†might begin with the Prophets and the Sermon on the Mount. Both turn to government instead of the church to do the work of the Kingdom of God.
Apparently in the “Pastor” Silva’s mind two sins make for some righteousness.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I honestly feel bad for Ken. I’m willing to bet he’s a nice guy in person who’s just become blind to what he’s doing. I hope so anyhow. Simply unbelievable.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:09 pm
.
I agree however I would argue that the “right” wants government to step in and legislate morality to curb the decline of this “christian” nation. On the other hand the “left” wants the government to step in and fill the void left by a church that has long abandoned it’s obligation to care for the widows and orphans.
In my personal view I feel if the church got busy being the church then we wouldn’t need to legislate morality because people would see our good works and glorify our father in heavan.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I agree chris.
Politics? Total abstinence.
The Gospel? Total committment. (And that includes the humanitarian works you mentioned)
November 1st, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I don’t think being part of the Kingdom of God means complete withdrawal from the world though. I do think that some Christians are legitimately called into the political arena in some instances. I agree it seems very hard for most people not to be seduced by the power that comes with that, but I don’t necessarily think it is an all or nothing deal.
I think the tricky thing is that both sides of the political spectrum are trying to achieve their goals by exercising power over others in one way or another. The right tends to emphasize military strength and the left emphasizes the power of taxation. The Kingdom of God is about serving others, not ruling them.
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:18 am
Phil - we are part of this world in many arenas. Work, recreation, dining, travel, sports, school, and many other areas. But after being somewhat politically active for decades, and seeing none of the moral issues that evangelicals espouse change, and doing a comprehensive study of the New Testament, I came to the conclusion that joining in with the world’s fleshly attempt to affect moral change void of the gospel.
I have eventually arrived at my present position.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:29 am
Rick,
I don’t really disgree with you. I don’t think politics can bring about moral transformation, either. Moral transformation comes through the Holy Spirit working through people. I do think that God can use people in the political realm for His purposes. I think of Joseph, Daniel, and the Book of Esther. The main thing in those examples is that the servants of God weren’t pushing their own agendas, they were just being obedient to what God had called them to.
My only concern is that we don’t make a blanket statement that it is wrong for Christians to be involved in the political realm at all. I know several Christians personally who are in political type positions, and as far as I can tell, they are doing it out obedience to what God has called them to. I don’t think they are using their positions to force some sort of moral change. I think they understand that they must continually be on guard, though, because the world of politics is a dangerous place.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:41 am
This is where we distinguish between Christians and the church. For example, we can say the church has no business being in the concrete business, but that hardly means there can’t be any Christian concreters.
Also Romans 13:1ff tells us that the role of government is to enact justice. All Christian political activity should be done through that lens.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:49 am
And Tim that is where I would agree, but you must agree that then church itself not only has been involved in politics, some major denominations have political wings.
Unscriptural.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 am
Rick,
Yeah, it irritates me to no end to hear of denominations or Christian groups endorsing certain candidates. The thing is, that the Church has really let itself be manipulated by politics more than it probably knows. The fact that churches have tax exempt status in the US probably is more negative than positive in my mind. It seems like a way for the government to make sure churches stay in line.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:59 am
I realize I am in the extreme, but I think I see the church reassessing its political role against the Great Commission. The world has gotten the impression that in order to be a Christian you must be pro-life and anti-gay and you’re in.
That is a colossal misrepresentation arived at by the evangelical footprint in politics. The issue for God is “Who do you say that I am”, the rest comes with discipleship.