The Gospel and the Citizen: Essay on the Christian and the Church in Politics

By Florent Varak and Philippe Viguier

Should the church get involved in politics or influence their voting members? What is the church mandate on this issue? How should Christians project themselves? Many Christians are wondering how to respond to the confusion generated by the variety of candidates for public office and the differing perspectives of church leaders who are trying to evaluate the political picture. This book, first offered in French, offers guidelines to assist Christians in determining how best to participate in the political arena as citizens who have a dual citizenship: in heaven and in the country of their residence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BMH Books
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780884693185

Book preview

all!

The Church and Power

BEGINNING IN 2012, THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FOUND ITSELF in a situation of chaos, both political and religious. Self-proclaimed Islamic groups took up arms and burned churches; they raped and killed Christians. The reaction on the other side was just as horrific. So-called Christian militias took up their amulets and animistic practices once again and massacred countless Muslims, all in the name of vengeance. They couldn’t have been further removed from Jesus’ command to love your enemies even if, it should be said, many other African Christians did practice biblical forgiveness towards their aggressors.

What would we have done in the same situation? Would we have found the strength to love our enemies? Would we have preached repentance and the faith which transforms hateful hearts into messengers of reconciliation? Would we have set a good example? Would we have taken up arms to defend our village? Would we have sought revenge? Or backed up a certain political party? Or even tried to establish a Christian government?

Several months after the beginning of the uprising, a respected Central African colleague of mine sent me a proposal he had drawn up and wished to present to religious and political leaders in his country to encourage a more peaceful outcome. The first draft proposed an agreement between the two groups in favor of social peace. It was an excellent initiative, springing from good intentions for peace in the midst of terrible torments. But is it the role of a church or of religious leaders to take part in the government of a nation or a state as representatives of their faith? In the course of discussions on the ethical basis of this type of political commitment, the proposal was modified, asking the religious leaders to support a political system which would encourage all people to live together peacefully, respecting each one’s freedom of conscience, individually and collectively. Only the future will tell if my colleague’s appeal will be heard, and if it will be helpful toward reestablishing peaceful relations in the country. Was it the right approach?

The church, throughout its history, has often been confronted with the question of political involvement. Is it a temptation or an opportunity? The following questions have been developed to help you dig a little deeper into the subject. We think it’s helpful to answer them now, and then to come back to answer them once again when you’ve finished reading the book, to see if your thinking has changed.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

313 A.D., ROMAN EMPIRE

For the past three hundred years, Christians have been mocked, falsely accused, and deprived of dignity. Depending on the emperor and the region, they have run the risk of persecution, torture, and even death. Suddenly, the new emperor, Constantine, says he has been converted to Christianity. The persecution finally ceases and church leaders are no longer pursued, but actually receive a salary from the state. Influenced by his mother, Constantine transforms several temples into beautiful cathedrals. What is your reaction?

You rejoice!

You proclaim Constantine as God’s servant, sent to bring God’s kingdom to earth.

You are leery of this merger of church and state.

You join or create a separatist independent church, running the risk of new persecution.

380, ROMAN EMPIRE

Theodosius the 1st goes even further than his predecessor, Constantine. On February 28, 380 A.D., he publishes the Edict of Thessalonica, and Christianity becomes the official state religion. It is our desire that all the various nations which are subject to our Clemency and Moderation, should continue to profess that religion which was delivered to the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter, as it has been preserved by faithful tradition, and which is now professed by the Pontiff Damasus and by Peter, bishop of Alexandria… let us believe in the one deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and in a holy Trinity. What is your reaction?

You rejoice!

You encourage and even participate in the destruction of all pagan temples. You support the judgment and execution of pagans.

You force your neighbors to baptize their children. You denounce those who continue to worship idols.

You defend Theodosius when he decides to establish capital punishment for those found guilty of adultery or homosexuality, and to cancel the Olympic Games because they spread pagan ideals.

You are saddened by the news.

1146, PARIS

Bernard of Clairvaux is the figurehead for the Christian faith. As a theologian, he is commissioned to preach the Second Crusade. You are outraged to learn that Jerusalem, the site of many a Christian pilgrimage, is under Muslim domination. These heathens kill and pillage Christian pilgrims. Bernard of Clairvaux guarantees the forgiveness of sins for any who sign up to fight in the Crusade. The Crusades offered the possibility to earn one’s salvation and, at the same time, the perspective of a better world on the earth as it is in heaven. The crusaders knew that death was a probability as they challenged the unfaithful.¹ What do you do?

You give financial support to those who sign up to fight.

You take up arms and fight.

You forbid your children to sign up.

You create a missionary society to pray for and evangelize Muslims.

You denounce Bernard of Clairvaux from the pulpit every Sunday.

You speak to kings and lords about your disagreement with the Crusaders.

1537, GENEVA

A law enacted in the days of John Calvin states that it is mandatory to work 6 days a week, based on Paul’s principle which says, If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Wasting time is against the law, and anyone who takes a day off is fined. What do you do?

You joyfully obey the law.

You move away from Geneva, despite the peace and prosperity Protestants find there.

You pray for a counter reform.

You burn all of your playing cards and erase all the apps from your iPhone.

You join forces with the libertarians who are trying to forcibly oust the government.

1562, FRANCE

Charles IX grants French Protestants the freedom to worship, but they are still being massacred in Paris, Senlis, Amiens, Meaux, Châlons, Troyes, etc. The Prince of Condé and the Admiral of Coligny round up the Protestants and encourage them to fight back. Their army marches down your street, asking for volunteers and funds. What do you do? How would you advise the people of your church?

You encourage the members of your church to join forces with the Admiral of Coligny to defend themselves.

You pray for peace.

You call the members of the church to flee.

You take up an offering to help the army.

1789, FRANCE

You are a Protestant in the days of the French Revolution. Over 100 years before Louis XIV had revoked the Edict of Nantes (1685), plunging believers into a period of persecution. In 1787, King Louis XVI drafted the Edict of Tolerance, allowing Protestants the right to openly practice their faith. However, he reigns as a dictator and the people live under oppression. How do you