Comments on: Political Engagement and the Evangelical http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/2009/10/political-engagement-and-the-evangelical/ A First Things Blog Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:35:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Rev. Mike http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/2009/10/political-engagement-and-the-evangelical/#comment-378 Rev. Mike Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:34:55 +0000 http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/?p=314#comment-378 Rich, I think you have hit upon the key consideration in referring us back to Philippians 2. Stephen Carter reminded us in his book, <i>Civility</i>, 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. 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.

]]> By: Matthew Anderson http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/2009/10/political-engagement-and-the-evangelical/#comment-293 Matthew Anderson Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:08:11 +0000 http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/?p=314#comment-293 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 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

]]> By: Rich Shipe http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/2009/10/political-engagement-and-the-evangelical/#comment-292 Rich Shipe Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:04:56 +0000 http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/?p=314#comment-292 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! 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!

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