What does faithful political engagement look like as Christ-follower in the midst of the divisive, harsh, and acrimonious election year in which we find ourselves in the USA? My concern is that we not allow the world’s pressure to form us, but rather that we respond in a way that reflects and honors Jesus.
In 1981, I spent three months in the Philippines during a time when the church found itself divided over the increasingly, repressive dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Some Christians vigorously opposed the government and were on the streets protesting and going to jail; others supported Marcos wholeheartedly. A very few others had decided to take up arms (taking cues from the insights of liberation theology).
While the environment was fiercely anti-American, I was blessed to be visiting as an IVCF staff worker and allowed to listen in on their theological reflections in the midst of their highly charged, political environment. It was life-changing for me and has shaped me to this day.
I offer a few of the insights God gave me through our Filipino brothers and sisters wrestling together on a biblical response during a time of great crisis. They can be summed in 5 invitations to us:
- Be Prophetic. This is our role with the government. Our first loyalty is to Jesus and His kingdom – not to any political party. If the government, for example is on the right, we may find ourselves on the left (as was the case of the Philippines during that time). If the government is on the left, we may find ourselves on the right. As Christ-followers we can never completely align ourselves with one political party.
- Be Value Driven. We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and bear witness to issues on God’s heart. God has a passionate concern for the poor and marginalized, the unborn, the aged, along with the mentally and physically challenged. So must we. Racism and injustice diminish human beings made in His image. We advocate for just laws, opportunities, and systems. Care for the planet, working for peace, and strong support for biblical, healthy marriages between men and women are on our agenda as well. You can add to this list.
- Be Loving. We love all human beings made in God’s image and are called to bless and affirm that glory in people. So we don’t participate in gossip, name-calling, slander, and murder with our tongues. We seek to be a good gift to others as people who have been deeply loved and forgiven. So, in our discussion with others around “difficult” issues, we aim to season our comments with grace and generosity.
- Be Prayerful. God commands us to pray for those in authority over us, regardless of their political views, that they might be filled with wisdom and they might experience God’s blessings. So we discipline ourselves to actually do that, inviting others to join us in that process.
- Be Peaceful. We invite people to not fear, offering a global, historical, and biblical perspective. “Things have never been worse,” a person recently told me, his voice filled with fear and angst. That is not true. World War II was worse (almost 60 million people died). So was World War I. Imagine living through, for example, Stalin’s purges that killed millions, the Cultural Revolution in China, and the Black Death that killed ¼ of Europe in the 13th century!
Our God is the Lord God Almighty. History is in His hands. We can rest in Him.
