Jared has clarified his critique of evangelicals, which seems to be a sociological critique that, regardless of what we say at the end of the day, our orientation reveals that the political has in fact become an idol.
I think it’s worth bringing up at this point Joe’s post from way back when about evangelicals and political engagement, or rather our lack of political engagement. If anything, it seems evangelicals talk a good game that suggests that we’re politically captivated, but our actions speak otherwise. The small conservative evangelical church that I grew up in had one member who joined the school board, no one that ran for political office, yet gave all kinds of money to the local pregnancy shelter–all while indoctrinating the youth with David Barton videos.
I suspect–or maybe I just hope–that a similar pattern exists in evangelicalism, namely that our actions are much more benign and in line with the Gospel than our rhetoric.
October 21st, 2009 | 5:04 pm | #1
Politics may be a god but I think we often worship ourselves in the political sphere.
It bothers me that the centerpiece of our political discourse is often “our rights,” “my rights,” “my money,” “my freedom,” “what I want.” Instead I believe that the central value in our political efforts should be love for our neighbor. What is good for my neighbor should motivate me politically more than what is good for me. (Philippians 2:3-4)
In my view libertarian thought has encroached on Christian political thought and disrupted a lot of basic things like “love your neighbor.” Please take it from here, Joe Carter. :)
BTW, love the new group blog everyone!
October 21st, 2009 | 5:08 pm | #2
Rich,
I share similar suspicions about ‘rights’ language and libertarianism. Seems like ‘the good’ and ‘the right’ are much more important, and more foundational categories.
matt
October 22nd, 2009 | 2:34 pm | #3
Rich, I think you have hit upon the key consideration in referring us back to Philippians 2. Stephen Carter reminded us in his book, Civility, that the core of civility is self-sacrifice, and we who would seek to follow Christ ought best to exhibit such behavior. The kenotic Christ, best known in this passage, but also on display in the gospels when Jesus tells his disciples that “… the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave …” The greatest challenge the church faces in its political and cultural witness is the temptation to adopt the tactics of the world’s coercive governments in order to exercise power over others as opposed to influence. It is one thing to bear witness to the coming kingdom of God; it is another thing entirely to seek to bring it in ourselves. If we could accomplish that ourselves, why would we need God? All of you have rightly expressed the danger of idolatry inherent in much of our political engagement.
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