Okay, the title of this post has been unabashedly stolen from a tract by J.N.Darby. I've been thinking about this idea of Christians "setting the world right" lately, probably because here in the United States, we are in an election year. I have always been a little fascinated by the obsession that American Christians have with politics. Just listen to Christian radio for a little while and you'll see what I mean. This year I have been somewhat amused at the pouting and foot stomping of several evangelical leaders over the prospect of John McCain being the Republican nominee for president. The one that really stands out is James Dobson. He's basically throwing a temper tantrum over it that could put my autistic nephew to shame. Mr Dobson is basically saying that he wants to take his ball and go home. (Is it just me or has Mr Dobson been slowly approaching the deep end as he gets older?) But I digress. The question is - what do Christians hope to accomplish by being involved in the political process? This is what brings me to JND's tract. First of all Darby reminds us that the World system is sinful and in rebellion against God. The powers that be are ordained of God - and we should therefore respect their authority, but we should not expect righteousness from anyone except the One at God's right hand - Christ. To quote Darby -
My business is to walk as a Christian, and shew the
character of Christ, not to set the world right; when
Christ comes He will do that ... If I could only set myself
and other Christians right that would be the thing.
The real crux of JND's argument is seen in another quote:
If I am to set the world right I must join with the world
and can't have any principles but theirs ... If he joins with
and infidel he owns infidelity can set the world right.
In other words, if a Christian seeks to become involved in the political process, he is taking on a fundamentally worldly endeavour, using worldly principles to advance "christian" values. Scripture is pretty clear, I think, that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. Oh, Jesus will reign over the physical creation in the future, but that time is not yet. (Although ultimately God is always sovereign, of course).
I am somewhat exasperated with all of the Christians out there who seem bent on forcing everyone to own and obey the ten commandments, for example. What do they think they will accomplish? The law, while good, is powerless to produce godly behavior. (see Romans 7 and 8). I'll hang in there with what God says through Paul "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION to everone who believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." It is only the gospel that transforms individuals, not "better laws", or electing Republicans to office.
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2 comments:
I was, somewhat ironically, listening to Johnny Cash singing "When the Man Comes Around" as I read that.
Great song, it should be in the Believer's Hymnbook.
At any rate, you've articulated this very well.
I like watching politics: it's like a huge game of chess where the rules aren't really agreed on before the start of the game. But really, the outcome is never godly, even if it's sometimes a (marginal) improvement.
I think Einstein said "one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result." I would say this applies very well to the "christian republicans". A quick look over the last 8 years reveals this country is no better off (morally) than it was in the previous regime; and in some ways is much worse.
The "conservative christian" "religious right" dabbles in idolatry to a shocking degree. What else can you call the constant and repeated expectation that a dubiously-elected representative of the will of a corrupt and fallen people can fix this old world?
Good article.
Two things - Yes, it is a great song. As for putting it in the Believer's Hymnbook, sounds good to me, but I don't want to send any of my dear Gospel Hall brethren to the hospital with coronaries. Second, I also find politics fascinating - to refer to one of your posts in another blog, following politics is a "guilty pleasure" of mine. Fascinating, yes. Is my faith or hope in any political party, person or process - no.
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