God Isn’t a Member of the Tea Party
Posted by Doug Foltz on Sep 20, 2010 in Missional, Politics | 13 comments
I enjoy politics, not because I think it changes the world for good, but because it is entertaining. I have really enjoyed the tea party phenomenon. I love the idea of the commoner bucking the system and saying enough is enough. Despite your party affiliation, you have to love the distinctly American attitude behind the tea party. It’s part of what has historically made our country thrive in my opinion. What I have a hard time with is the Christian conservative right, not just in terms of their involvement in the tea party, but in their approach to politics in general. I think Christian conservatives active in politics are hanging their hopes in a very misguided place. America is not a Christian nation and if it ever truly was never will be again. Christendom is dead. I’m personally rejoicing. While on the surface the illusion of a Christian nation seems favorable, it has produced a lifeless Christianity in the masses that is nowhere near the discipleship that Jesus talks about in the New Testament.
During the time of Jesus, Christians were a fringe element of culture and were frequently persecuted. Despite this persecution, the followers of Jesus grew rapidly into a worldwide movement. Rome, the very nation that persecuted Christianity adopted it as the state religion under Emperor Constantine. It was a great wedding of the church and the state that produced a “Christian nation” referred to by many as Christendom. The church ceased being a fringe movement on the edges of society and became an institution. Christendom has reigned supreme for centuries in the West. Recent history has seen the rapid decline, and in places like Europe, the death of Christendom. Note that this does not mean that Christianity has died, but that it has once again become a fringe element on the edge of culture at times persecuted. Ultimately I think this is healthy for the church.
The Christian conservative deeply passionate about and involved in politics today fight to hold on to Christendom and the notion that the United States is a “Christian” nation. I understand why. In a Christian nation, certain moral standards are legislated and it gives the appearance that most people are Christian. Those things that we as Christian hold dear become the cultural norm. In many ways, I think the Christian conservatives in politics reflect a longing for the old paradigm where the church is on the same level as the state. To put this in the ugly terms of politics, its a way to safeguard power. And while we as Christians don’t see it that way and I truly believe most Christians in politics aren’t approaching it that way, it does kind of look that way to everyone else.
There is a problem with this though. When the culture is “Christian”, the church loses its God given mission (see Matthew 28) and becomes complacent. We lose our edge. We lose our focus. The demise of Christendom can be a good thing for the church. It does not have to be the death of the church, but instead could issue in a new era of imagination for the church. It’s just about common knowledge that our culture doesn’t mind Jesus, it just doesn’t like the church. And if we are honest, many of us in the church aren’t satisfied either. I’ve talked to many pastors who would love to kill the way they do church and try something different. That’s why I love working in church planting. It’s through the establishment of new churches that we are learning how to rethink church and begin to function as the people of God in a new more relevant way that hopefully in the end will more closely reflect Jesus’ intent for the church. I appreciate immensely the missional pioneers out there who are imagining new ways to be the Church in a culture that is in my opinion no longer remotely interested in Christendom. We can fight for the past that will likely not return, or we can rethink what it means to be the Church in a culture that is intrigued by Jesus.
Let’s not forget that Jesus was not a part of the conservative political movements of his day (I’m referencing the Pharisees and other conservative religious groups of the day). In many cases, he reserved his harshest words for those who thought they had it all figured out and spent his time with those who were messed up but knew they wanted to change. I think it’s fine to support conservative Christian candidates, let’s just remember that it’s not politics that transforms the world. True transformation comes through Jesus. He didn’t run for office or seek power. He laid down his life us for us and trusted us to take up his mantle where he left off.
“The Christian conservative deeply passionate about and involved in politics today fight to hold on to Christendom and the notion that the United States is a “Christian” nation.” Really? Sure, some might be doing that but some of us Christians just happen to have conservative political philosophies and feel strong about them not because we are disillusioned into thinking that “we’ll return America to greatness or its Christian roots.” Believe it or not, some of us think it is just the better way to preserve freedom and create opportunities for everyone to pursue their dreams.
Marcus,
I see your point. I’m pretty conservative politically as well and happen to think conservative politics are the way to go. Those voices don’t seem to be heard though. A lot of this has to do with the media and their natural bias. But you have to admit there are an awful lot of people in conservative politics using religion as their foundation. While you can never say that this is a universal, I do think many Christians rightfully lament the loss of the US as a Christian nation. I just think that Christendom or a Christian culture is a by-product of a church on mission not a church focused on influencing the culture through politics. It just makes us look power hungry.
Jon,
I’m just squeamish about politics in the name of Christ. There are several liberal politicians that go to churches and churches with liberal leanings. I happen to be conservative but agree with many things that liberals preach. I think environmentalism, immigration reform, care for the poor, etc., aren’t liberal issues they are Christian. I think right to life isn’t a conservative issue, but a Christian issue. We have let politics highjack Christian issues. Because we have to choose sides, conservative Christians end up being pro-life, and anti-immigration. Those are both Christian issues. The Bible has clear teaching on how we are to handle issues like the environment and immigration. I don’t see God on one side of the fence or the other. We are ambassadors to Christ and I think that’s part of the problem with Christians in politics. Because just as you can argue that God is a member of the Tea Party someone else can argue that he is a member of the socialist party. Rather than a God who is above the kingdoms of man, we end up with several splintered views of God made in the our image. God’s above it all and his kingdom can and will expand whether the politics of the day are conservative democracy or a ruthless dictator. It’s time to stop putting adjectives in front of the word Christian and go back to the early church and just be Christian. I’d rather see us passionate about reaching lost people with the message of Christ than reaching people with the message of Conservative politics. Please don’t hear that critically as if I’m suggesting you’re not passionate about reaching the lost. I don’t even know you. I’m sure you’re doing an amazing work for God. That’s for the dialogue. It’s been fun.
Wouldn’t God be a part of the Tea Party if I was a member of the Tea Party? If i am Christ ambassador and I join the Tea Party or Coffee party I would be taking the name of Christ or body of Christ to that event. If we are the body, then where we go Christ goes. Good or Bad
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; 2 Cor 5:20
I don’t think we take that seriously enough.
I had a professor in Seminary who equated the church’s involvement in the political realm to those who made a futile effort to stop the Titanic from sinking. That is not to be dismissive of individual Christians who are politically active. But every minute we spend trying to change laws is one minute less spent on changing hearts.
I couldn’t have said it better. Thanks.
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been blogging on this, and other topics on my site for just over a year now. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Doug, I stumbled upon this post via another blog and I absolutely love it! In point of fact, there are no “Christian nations” only Christian people that make up a part of nations. This notion of trying to “Christianize” nations is fallacious especially because it immediately creates an “us vs them” mentality and serves to push people away rather than draw them near. Acts 17 may hold a few surprises for many people who think God cannot work through culture that isn’t Christian. The story of Cornelius remains a brilliant reminder that God will not be boxed into being a “conservative” or a “Republican.”
Joe,
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the Scripture references. Both of those are great examples. I should have thought to have included them.
Doug — Thanks for posting this. I love the discussion you have generated and the way you’ve helped me process and advance my feelings regarding the whole issue of the Christian and politics. One thing we all subscribe to is that the world does not have the answer to the world’s woes as it, absent God and His revelation, operates on a flawed foundation of lies, deceit, and illusion. Again, thanks for your thoughtful article and to those whose who submitted such thoughtful comments. <
Ron,
Nice to hear from you. I was reading a book last night that mentioned Lake Gaston and thought of you. I appreciate you taking the time comment. Hope all is well in NOVA.
Hey Doug,
Jesus focused on doing what’s in the best interest of all people involved and that includes speaking up when truth is being shadowed and obscured. I believe that is what Matthew 28 refers to when he says “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you”.
You said God reserved his “harshest words for those who thought they had it all figured out and spent his time with those who were messed up but knew they wanted to change.” God reserved his harshest words for people who blatantly and openly refused to hear the God of the Bible. And he spent his time with those who had less distractions in hearing truth and those who were in need.
I don’t care that you don’t want to join in with the tea party because maybe God has given you a different role to spread God’s truth but I’m not a fan of Christians who attempt to discourage other Christians to distance themselves from the cultural issues (be they political or not) when that’s exactly what Jesus was ABOUT confronting. He was about, what is in the way of you seeing Jesus? And confronting the wrong regardless of what setting.
I don’t approve of some conservative’s reactions to the liberal media but I also know that the evil is out to make what is good and right look like it’s all relative and like truth is stupid and pointless. But, that doesn’t mean Christians shouldn’t support the principles that promote matters of the heart. And if I were you, I would seriously search the Scripture as to whether the Bible promotes the ideologies of socialism and regulating pride and self righteousness over equality of man and the opportunity of choice.
Scott,
I encourage you to read the post again as well as the comments. I started by saying I’m a big fan of the Tea Party and in the comments that I vote conservatively. I’m far from socialist. I’m also a gun toting member of the NRA. It’s tough to hang the liberal tag on me. The point of the post is not that politics or the tea party is wrong for Christians, but it’s wrong to put our hope for cultural and life transformation in a political party or candidate. Both the left and the right can make sound biblical arguments for multiple positions in their platform. It’s dangerous to claim God is on one side or the other. God is about the advancement of His kingdom agenda not ours. Could it be that the liberal takeover and socialist bent of American politics is a way for God to spur believers to action? It wouldn’t be the first time God used politics to bring His people back to Him. consider the exile. It bothers me that there was more weeping and gnashing of teeth over Obama’s election, than the many sins rampant in the church and the inhumane treatment of people around the world. It bothers me that there is more proclamation and rejoicing in the tea party and conservative candidates than proclamation of the gospel. In terms of biblical promotion of socialism, read Acts 2 & 4. Sounds socialist to me. The gospel will thrive independent of government. See China foe proof. Thanks for your comments brother. It’s been a fun discussion.
Hey Doug,
Thanks for your response. I appreciate your ability to separate your feelings from your discussion so we can work to be objective. That is an ability I haven’t been seeing lately among many professing believers and it is refreshing.
I would like to start off to say I agree with just about everything you said in regard to what is happening in our churches. I think the church can get back to its roots or atleast remove all of the “posers” if there was persecution and it wasn’t culturally beneficial to be Christian. But, God wants all people to come to salvation, so saying that I want this to happen isn’t really appropriate though I know that it’s coming. So, my main concern is those who are Christians being able to discern where to step in and join in redeeming hearts. I think the media looks to distort Christianity or “conservativism” as much as possible. It’s our responsibility to discern right from wrong and not fade with the culture in regard to being “tolerant” or standing up for truth. As I believe you would agree, God isn’t a member of a lot of churches these days in the same way that he isn’t a member of the Tea Party. But I would like to look at it from a different angle. God IS where truth is being upheld and where sin and evil is being renounced. The methods of the Tea Party may be not in love (or the media is pulling that view) but I might be persuaded that it is the part of the church that is missing…in regard to the willingness to combat evil and church discipline (in my thorough experience). Granted, the Tea Party isn’t a “church organization” and there of course are non Christians in it but it is the same thing with our churches? Meaning…the church is full of fluffy “encouragement” with no “full council of God”. I’m sure we could go on for hours because from reading your post I think you and I are on the same page overall. I just want to make sure that you and I are not using it as an excuse to not get involved where God might be at work. I think about my own life and my desire to witness and evangelize. I am not typically interested in witnessing with someone who I consider to have methods that are “different” than mine, but if they are preaching truth and allowing the Holy Spirit to be a part of it, then is it more my desire to be comfortable or possibly even dismissive of the gospel? Just wanting to keep my own heart in check.
Also, Acts 2 and Acts 4, I assume you’re referring to 2:45 and 4:32-37 in regard to socialism. In both cases this is referring specifically to the church. Also, there is also no motive for why they give but says it was distributed as everyone had need…or all of their needs were met. Isn’t that what the church currently does well? I mean, I don’t know a church that doesn’t come to the aid of other members who are in need. But, the places in the Bible that talk about motive and the times that an amount is actually given like Mark 12:41-44 the focal point is giving abundantly to the cause of Christ. I Tim. 6:6-7, 17-19 is a good guideline that seems to sum up God’s teaching on money/giving which overwhelmingly refers to being “gracious” and also being “wise”. But God never requires a specific amount like a tax in regard to giving from the church, he asks us to give out of the overflow of our heart. It’s always left up to the Holy Spirit to allow believers to discern what they should give and encourages them to be generous. Kind of, “God owns everything”, therefore, give. The one time God refers to giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s is about not undermining the authority God has placed above you and also doesn’t refer to motives.
Speaking toward the culture and political lines, my brother is a valet for political events often, the Republican parties are consistently the ones that tip above and beyond. It is common knowledge among there team that you will not make much money at a Democratic party. You can also look at the majority of Democratic leaders personal giving and hands down, they don’t give. What does that say when they require it from everyone else? So, what am I saying, is God a member of the Tea Party? Well, obviously some people in the party are not Christian, so that can’t be the case. But is God more apart of the Tea Party than a lot of our churches…my answer may be Yes.