Friday, May 18, 2007
is it just me?
Is it just me, or is anyone else out there tired of politics, and really would rather keep up on what's going on from a distance, if at all? On the one hand I'm for our participation and influence as those in Jesus of the kingdom of God. On the other hand I think we put too much confidence in politicians and political systems. What about you?
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9 comments:
I think that this is exactly the time we should be challenging Rome ... er ... England ... er ... the US Government. It is precisely because of all the crap that goes on that we have to be doing that. One of the things that I love about NT Wright is that he has reminded the Church of its calling to speak to power. This isn't an either/or dualism brought about our ancestors in the Enlightenment. [And let's not kid ourselves into thinking that America is not a product of those ideals. The Enlightenment was all about dividing things up like 'religion and politics' that before then, it was understood that you can't have one without the other.] It is precisely because of our Enlightenment heritage that we must challenge the 'principalities and powers of this world' at every turn. It is up to us, no one else will do it, to let our (supposed) leaders know that they will have to answer to a higher Court. It is up to us, the followers of Jesus, to seek to make changes both on a local level and on a global level. In other words, it is our duty, as image bearers of YHWH, to take care of widows and orphans AND to challenge the policies and procedures that put those people in that situation in the first place. Our mission statement could easily be:
For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
Peace be with you.
+OD
Some things make us tired, and perhaps are designed to do so. But I think we cannot go to sleep.
OD, I agree with your statement completely. This is at the heart of our calling as the community of God in Christ in this world.
I'm just probably partially in reaction to both the religious right and the religious left who think somehow the answer is in better policies and legislation from Washington. And it might just be a personal kind of burnout in which I'm getting better into balance.
But I'm thinking of all the political posturing going on, etc. And I really don't like the options we have; we're too American. :)
Not too say that we shouldn't put better policies in place, like better help for the poor, and a more humble, servant stance in the world. Etc.
L.L., Yes. You're right. I'm glad we individuals constitute a body. When some of us are wanting to rest, people like you and OD can wake them/me up.
Ted
I can understand your frustation.
Politics and politicians will always disappoint, so we should never put our faith in them.
We must keep on articulating a vision of the kingdom of God that is real and relevant to the whole of life.
We must keeping on thinking about what that means in our time. I agree that both the religious left and the religious right are a long way from it.
Blessings
Ron
Ron, I concur with you that the answer is not in Washington D.C., but in the New Jerusalem that is on its way and is already present in the kingdom of God come in Jesus and us in Jesus. We need to get back to the basics of Jesus.
Ted:
I think the struggle for Christians is not whether we should be involved in politics, but how we will be so involved.
How we work this out is a good question. As one who spends much time thinking and commenting on the KOG and also earthly politics, I struggle with the ambiguity of it all. Of course, ambiguity is just a part of life this side of eternity. One day, God will clarify all things.
Allan, I really do agree. To withdraw and not speak into any part of God's world is to deny it is God's world. And we're to live and speak prophetically to all. And we do need to speak clearly into the political stage. I appreciate your good work on your posts and on "Red and Blue" in this regard.
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