Political Conservatism Part II: In the first part, I suggested that the issue is not political involvement itself, but how easily Christianity and political conservatism can become blended together until the distinction between the two becomes increasingly difficult to recognize. The concern was not whether believers may hold political opinions or participate lawfully within society, but whether the emphasis of the New Testament differs in some important ways from the emphasis often found in modern political Christianity. That thought naturally raises another question.
Perhaps the question can be stated very simply: Again and again I find myself returning to the apostles. What exactly were they trying to accomplish? They preached Christ, called sinners to repentance, strengthened believers, planted churches, and spoke of a kingdom that was not of this world. What I find far less frequently is an emphasis upon transforming Rome, reshaping Caesar’s government, or seeking the transformation of Roman society itself.
The New Testament certainly calls believers to live godly lives, do good, and be salt and light. That much is clear. What I am less certain about is whether the apostles viewed the transformation of society itself as the primary mission of the church. Where do we find them attempting to make Rome Christian? Where do we find them seeking political influence sufficient to reform Caesar’s government? I struggle to find that emphasis. Instead, I repeatedly find them directing men to Christ, calling sinners to repentance and faith, strengthening the churches, and reminding believers of their heavenly citizenship.
This is where total depravity keeps pulling me back. If the human heart is the central problem, then how much can politics ultimately accomplish? Governments can pass laws and societies can encourage certain values, but the apostles appeared convinced that man’s deepest need lay beyond such things. That is why their confidence remained fixed upon the gospel rather than political power.
Christ said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” The apostles seemed to take those words seriously. While they lived within earthly kingdoms, their attention remained fixed upon another one. Perhaps that is why they spent so little time trying to change Rome and so much time calling men to Christ. They understood that governments and cultures may change, but man’s deepest need remains the same: forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the gospel.
Then there’s another consideration. When I look in the mirror each morning, my greatest problem is staring me right in the face. Me. My pride, my selfishness, my impatience, my blindness, my own tendency to think too highly of myself. Knowing that, I sometimes find myself wondering why we are so determined to make everyone else think exactly like we do. Why must everyone join our team, adopt our positions, repeat our slogans, and see the world through our particular lens? Perhaps before trying to straighten out the rest of society, we might do well to remember the person staring back at us from the mirror. Luke 4:23.
The New Testament seems far more concerned with making Christians within the world than making the world itself Christian. I may take this up again. For now, I am content to leave it as a question worth pondering and a thought that continues to occupy my own mind. Whatever conclusions one ultimately reaches, it is worth remembering that most of us will not be remembered for the political positions we held. We’ll be remembered for the people we loved, the mercy we showed, the friends we cherished, the Christ we pointed to, and the faithfulness with which we walked through ordinary life. MPJ