We will be convening here at the ZigZag café, Suisse, on Thursdays for conversation and dialogue. I invite you to stop by every Thursday for the question of the day. Your thoughts and participation are most welcome. Pull up a stool, avec un café, un thé, ou un chocolat chaud, et un croissant, and join in here on Thursday at the ZZ café.
For today:
In what ways might being a Christian have something to do with political and economic views and practices?
READ THE BOOK - FIND THE RHYTHM
8 comments:
In every way!
Lukas,
Thanks. I'd be interested in an example or two.
There is so much in the American political climate now that poses as Christian. So much of the Hebrew Scriptures speak of care for the widows, orphans and "the alien" within the land. Current healthcare debate in the US implies that those who cannot help themselves are detritus to be left awash in their own economic misery. My take (I have a hard time telling anyone what their take should be) is that I should be non-partisan and direct my political energy to those who meet Isaiah 10.1-2. If I become partisan, then I should be a biblical gadfly to that party and push them in the direction that the holy spirit and scripture tell me where we should be moving.
Carter,
Thanks. Well put. In the American context, so supposedly anchored in human rights, much seems to depend on who has the most, rather than caring for those who have little. Of course this is where the church, generally speaking that is, has been a failure - overplaying rights, while underplaying responsibilities. I can remember talking to a church of 1000 Christians years ago about how to help unwed mothers - as little as $5 a month per person, 1 hour a month per person, could make a remarkable difference.
Can we ignore today's views and practices? Jesus made it very clear at some points, what he thought of some of the opinions and practices in his days.
- Jer. 29 Can we do it without being engaged?
- Welfare/social engagement was always the domain, where Christians took initiative.
Hmm, that is not political or economic?
Probably living ones live within ones political and economic environment will lead to some practices and views. Whether they are influenced by ones belief or not is ones decision... But they should...
Lukas,
Yes, that is a very good example. Christians often leave the social to the government, and while some times that may be valid, the degree with which we tend to be uninvolved is problematic. I agree with you that our Christian beliefs should be engaged on the political and economic fronts. After all love and justice are deeply rooted in God the creator and Christ the Savior.
Sorry for the late post. . .
In the US there is much talk about "protecting the sanctity of marriage" as well as "protection of the unborn". While I agree with these views on a personal level, I'm not convinced that forcing my views on people through a legal means is how God intended to show his love to a lost and depraved people. I believe that God's love could be more evident and effective in my personal relationships with people rather than through filling out a paper ballot. Ah, but that would require going outside of my comfort zone now wouldn't it?
Dale,
Thanks. Good points. I think that in making the law - ethics primary there is a deep danger of ignoring the centrality of love. Comfort zones are all too often based on law, rather than being challenged by love.
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