A Christian Evangelical View
On
POLITICS
Do Bible Believing Christians have the right to participate in the political processes of our nation, if we make Faith based decisions in all aspects of our life, which will impact our government and other facets of our nation and culture? First let's get a basic level of information by looking at the definition of the word "Politics." And then see what some of our forefathers said that impacts politics, government and religion .
Definition: Pol·i·tics 1 a : the art or science of government b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
The above definition of Politics, expresses the ability for any person to influence their government, attempting to win control over it as they participate in the proper legal processes allowed to us in our society and government. Today, there is much debate about the issue of Separation of Church and State, and confusion in that interpretation even by legal scholars, of which I am not one. That being said, there are many who see the common sense intent, when reading the exchanges of letters between Thomas Jefferson and the Danbury Baptist Association in Conneticut Oct.7th 1801, when they are read in context. They read as follows(excerpts taken from "Lonang Library-Institute"):
"The address of the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut assembled October 7, 1801 to Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America.
"Our Sentiments are uniformly on the side of Religious Liberty - That religion is at all times and places a matter between God and Individuals - That no man ought to suffer in Name, person or effects on account of his religious Opinions - That the legitimate Power of Civil Government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor. But, Sir our constitution of government is not specific. Our infant charter, together with the Laws made coincident therewith, were adopted as the Basis of our government at the time of our revolution; and such had been our Laws and usages, and such still are; that religion is considered as the first object of Legislation; and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State) we enjoy as favor granted, and not as inalienable rights: And these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgements, as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore; if those, who seek after power and gain under the pretence of government and Religion should reproach their fellow man - should Reproach their Chief Magistrate, as an enemy of Religion, Law and good order because he will not, dare not assume the prerogative of Jehovah and make Laws to govern the kingdom of Christ."
The Danbury Baptist Association of 1801 wrote to President Jefferson with concerns that their religious freedoms would be in jeopardy from those in power within government. President Jefferson's response:
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association assurances of my high respect and esteem.
Thomas Jefferson
January 1, 1802"
The above excepts from the correspondence between these two parties and discussing the term: "separation of Church and State," is in the context of protecting the rights of those people of Faith in Christ, from interference from government, or the establishment of a government religion. It was not for the protection of government from those of religious persuasion. The Baptists were concerned with government control over their freedom to worship and to express their beliefs. Also, the term "separation of Church and State" mentioned within these correspondences, has been extracted and used often as a bases of arguement to restrict religious influence in many areas of society, and is seen no where else in the Constitution or any other founding documents of our nation.
Today, this has become such an inaccurate premise of many arguments of those who are in opposition with any political argument that Christians often stand for. This term of separation between church and state is used as a faulty weapon to intimidate Christians into silence, and not stand for their own Faith based decisions and convictions, under the conviction to submit to God's Word. Christians have remained silent too long, and now that they have become increasingly aware of their justification in particpating in out nations political process, it naturally has caused friction with those of differing views who have become accustomed to our silence and lack of political activism. These points of friction are now being exhibited on many fronts. Challenges to our national heritage by those who contest and desire removal of our religious symbols from the walls of our public government structures, rulings banning nativity scenes on public properties, determinations of the freedom of students to practice their faith in wearing clothing with religious emblems, organizing Bible studies, and praying on school property, for a few examples. There are many fronts where the inaccuracies of separation of church and state are rampant and errant. So our "political" process is the right of every citizen of these United States, and a duty, especially for Christians needing to participate to impact their world as God desires them. Just as the definition of the word "Politics" states:" the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy." In accessing the rights of our political process we Christians must remember His Word: Mr 16:15 - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
According to scripture we are to obey the laws of the land, Matthew 22:21, "Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God, the things that are God's." it also tells us we are to obey God, Ezekiel 36:26, 27: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." God's words are not called "suggestions" but Commandments, with good reason.
As believers and followers of Christ, we have the same legal recourse to challenge our laws within the perimeters of our political system, under the Constitution, as all others do. All in this life have an identity, identifying ourselves with someone, something, a world view, religious belief, or even the lack there of as well. Having these identities, we all make decisions in life based upon who we are, what we believe, even if we believe in nothing. Bible Believing Christians, believe that Jesus is Lord of their lives and so, they are commanded in Scripture to follow Him, and live a life which reflects that. We often fall very short in following Him, but we must do far better! I must do better! In closing, the end line is the Word of God which does command us to walk within this world, as His ambassadors, His examples of what He Himself is like. We must ask ourselves.. are we doing that? Am I doing that? And do I, we take Him seriously, His sacrifice and His gift of Salvation, enough to live my life honoring Him?
It says in 1 Cor. :14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. Are we a fragrance to those around us in our communities and state, or are we merely peddling the Word of God and not living it?
We are accountable to God, if we succeed or fail, in following Him as we should. Those who are led of God and are equipped to enter into the political process as Christians, are free to do so. They must be prepared to stand for what they believe and to make a defense to that same thing. Our views in society, our religious standing, does, and definitely should define who we are, and what we believe. It should also impact our vote and more over, our world, by praying, reading His Word for direction, and then acting upon it. The body of Christ on this planet, in these towns, have made many errors in judgement in our walk, and time is getting short! We must get busy doing as God desires of us, examine and cleanse ourselves unto repentance, cleansing our churches from strife and sin. The Truth and the Love of Christ needs to shine brightly in purity in service to those in our towns, before expecting others who do not believe likewise to follow us, as we follow the Lord! Therefore, the only separation of Church and State, should be in regard to limiting government's authority over those of Faith, not the other way around barring our influence upon our own government. We are free to worship in this country as we please, and as followers of Christ, are also free at this time in history to participate in the political process, making an impact, that would be glorifying unto God! I pray we do!
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