Christians in Political Exile

There's an excellent column written by Chuck Colson in Christianity Today around the new reality of evangelical Christianity's "exile" from the power seat in government, and how believers might best respond in this new political environment. Indeed, the tenor within D.C. seems miles away from the days that Carter talked openly about being "born again", Reagan called upon the "moral majority" and even the Christian rhetoric of Bush II seems like a tattered remnant of a time when being a Christian didn't seem so utterly out of place on the Beltway.

So what would be a faithful response in light of a Congress which as Colson says is: "radically committed not only to abortion rights but also to adding sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which could prevent faith-based organizations from considering sexual orientation in hiring decisions"? My not so faithful or gracious response is to again wonder with some frustration whether my Christian brethren around the country who cast votes which helped create this situation have any sort of remorse or misgivings whatsoever, but beyond that Colson reminds us that as tempting as it might seem, to retreat back into a shell of personal and hidden faith, never to speak boldly about biblical principles is certainly not the way to go.

Colson correctly stresses that any sort of activism and influence must come from deep-rooted person faith and a desire to do justice and love mercy to the glory of God, not merely an activism that clothes itself in Christian rhetoric as a cheap political trick. We must live lives of faith and conviction in a way which influences our neighbor, but also be bold in fighting for and advocating systemic change.

In a conversation with my pastor over lunch, we discussed what the Christian response to injustice of different forms and our obligation to go beyond living our own convictions without care of others' actions. For example, if you believe that pornography is morally wrong, is it enough to simply not partake in it and encourage that others similarly abstain? Or do Christians have an obligation to fight to make pornography illegal for everyone, even though others with different or no religious backgrounds may disagree? Let's use abortion instead. Is it enough that a Christian personally chooses not to have abortions and will hire only obstetricians who don't perform abortions? Or should the Christian be obligated to make such a procedure illegal for everyone, even though others with different or no religious backgrounds may disagree? One might say, and I'd agree, that the abortion issue is distinct due to the paramount nature of the sanctity of life, but I know many wouldn't necessarily agree.

The marriage of faith and politics is complicated. I do not believe they absolutely should not mix, but certainly mixing them should be done with some caution, much wisdom, and much humility. Colson definitely provides some good guidelines, and he's someone that has a bit of experience in the area.