Pages

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Worth Reading Wednesday: Christians in the American Political Culture

For today's issue of Worth Reading Wednesday, here are a few "day-after-election" posts/articles that I think are worth reading, especially since I know many people who are now remembering that Jesus is King, when they didn't seem to be so much before the election.  

Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars
"Upon learning this news, one part of my country is so angry right now their eyes are crossing. Others are so depressed they feel lower than a whale’s navel."
"A Faith of Our Own is for Christians who are discouraged, disillusioned, or disenchanted with how partisan the American church has become. Unlike similar books–that curse the darkness without lighting a candle–this book will force readers to dream and hope."

Politics and Our Eschatology
"Or, we could turn each around, if a more Democrat oriented Christian becomes depressed and hopeless because a Repub wins, or if a Republican oriented Christian becomes depressed or hopeless because a Dem wins, those Christians are caught in an empire-shaped eschatology of politics.
I can’t imagine 1st Century Roman Christians caught up in some kind of hope whether it would be Nero or Britannicus who would succeed Claudius."
"First, Christ is King. The ecumenical group sponsoring the Election Day Communion campaign challenges us to remember that the real power in the world, “the power to save, to transform, to change - ultimately rests not in political parties or presidents or protests but in the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus.” Over 600 Christian communities around the country gathered on Election Day to pray for government and to encourage unity in Christ despite political difference. Our loyalty must be to Christ, not to a political candidate. Christ will heal the world."
But a more important point about our vote should be made: our “vote” is just as important the day before and the day after Election Day. Our everyday actions are votes for and against things: what we eat, where we pursue education, and how we care for our bodies are all political actions that vote for some things and against others. Even our money that does not go to a candidate or their many Political Action Committees (PACs) has a political significance.

And now we can wait another four years until next "most important election in our lifetime".

No comments: