In my first post on this topic – Where’s the Love in Christianity and Politics? - I said in two different parts:
When contending for the involvement of Christians within the democratic process in America, we have to address the unfortunate reality that many people under the guise of Christianity have been violent, mean-spirited, and downright mean and nasty towards the very people whom God sent His Son to die, people with whom He has called us to share the Gospel with in the political realm in both word and deed.
And
So as we engage the political process, we are to do so in love; we are to speak the truth, but in love; we are to hold the government accountable for its actions, but in love. The standard of love that we use in judging all of our actions is the standard that Jesus Christ set by humbly sacrificing Himself for us on the cross.
It is with this in mind that I would like to briefly express how love works itself out in the democratic process.
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Love not only determines the way that we are involved, but the love for our neighbors will determine how we are involved within the democratic process. The love for our neighbor will drive us beyond our own self-interests to seek the justice and common good for everyone in our community, state, and nation (Steve Monsma, Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy, pg. 74).
Take the issue of abortion for example.
The love of our neighbor not only compels us to be a voice for the unborn child, but such love should compel us to seek the wellbeing of women who face difficult pregnancies as well as financial hardships in bringing their unborn child into the world (ibid., pg. 118 and 122).
Even though the government does assist financially those in need, we need not allow the government’s role to abdicate our personal responsibility as followers of Christ in meeting the needs of those who are in such predicaments. Economic factors play a large role in determining a woman or couples choice in aborting their unborn child. I’ve heard examples of family’s taking out a second mortgage on their home in order to assist such a person or couple financially, so that they would not have to go through with the aborting process. This is a great example as an act of love on behalf of another, both alive and unborn!
This principal of solidarity – the love of our neighbor – can be worked out in a myriad of ways. Steve Monsma, senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin College and professor emeritus of political science at Pepperdine University, explained how this principle of solidarity will work itself out in practice:
Sometimes solidarity will drive us to our knees in prayer, sometimes to giving our money to organizations offering help in Christ’s name, sometimes to direct, personal acts of comfort and help, and sometimes to supporting public policies that oppose wrongs and promote greater justice. And sometimes it will lead us to pursue all four together (ibid., pg. 76).
Our submission to the governing authorities of America not only determines the way that we are involved, but also determines how we are involved.
Enjoy this post? Get more like them by subscribing to Reformed and Reforming by E-mail or RSS.
Consider sharing this post
Related posts:
- Where’s the Love in Christianity and Politics? When contending for the involvement of Christians within the...
- Christians are to be Involved in the Democratic Process Distinctly as Christians In Romans 13.1-7 Paul summarizes two primary reasons why...
- Why and How Christians Should Be Involved in the U.S. Political Process The last two weeks we discovered from Romans 13.5...
- Christianity and Democracy: Understanding their Relationship I have been working on a book for nearly...
- Does Political Involvement Impede Evangelistic Efforts? At this point, some will understandably contend that a...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Leave a Reply