Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/653157
A THEOLOGY OF GRACE INFORMS POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT Beyond attitudes and strategies for everyday interactions, it is important to explore the theological basis that makes gracious political engagement possible. On this we ought to hold to two convictions simultaneously. First, Christians need to be politically informed and involved as part of their calling to be salt and light, to be culture makers in a lost and needy world. Throughout church history, various Christian traditions have advocated withdrawal and separation from the world as a testimony to an alternative Christian community. Believers today might encourage a similar response to the mess and ugliness of our political culture. Yet this would be a mistake. In Scripture we find God's people not only engaging the dominant political structures of their times, but often being led by God to serve within those political institutions. Joseph faithfully oversaw Pharaoh's administration in Egypt. Daniel and his friends served Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon despite the king's idolatry and hostility. In Jeremiah 29:4–7, the prophet commands the exiled Israelites to settle in Babylon, to seek its welfare, and to pray to the Lord on its behalf. In the New Testament, we discover numerous religious and political leaders who responded in faith to Jesus but were never commanded to abdicate their leadership positions. Second, despite the importance of political involvement, no earthly government can be our savior. The majority of Americans get so worked up over political issues because their ultimate hope depends upon political and economic institutions. They believe that, with the right candidate and the right public policies, our economic prosperity and political security can be safeguarded. With this kind of thinking, it is understandable why so many people fight so viciously for their political side. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRACE BRINGS POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Since Christians should not look to the government for rescue from life's troubles, we can model a different kind of political approach. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God, the sovereign and gracious reign of God that is already present but still waits to be consummated. Our knowledge that Jesus is Lord and that all things have been given to Him should empower us as the reconstituted people of God to engage our political culture with love and hope—a hope not of secular utopias, but of creation renewed. With this as our foundation, we can inject grace into our political discourse. Regardless of whether our preferred candidate wins the general election, we can trust God and show grace in our response. God has not abandoned the political institutions of this world, and neither should we. Yet our ultimate hope does not rest in the Republican or Democratic parties. It rests in our sovereign God and Savior, Jesus Christ. If we live out these beliefs, we will be more understanding, compassionate, and gracious toward our fellow citizens who are trapped in political dead ends. We will point the way to the One who, because of His abundant grace, is able to solve all spiritual and political woes. ENGAGE 21 Mihajlo Maricic/iStock Ben R. Crenshaw MASTER OF ARTS STUDENT Ben R. Crenshaw is a current Denver Seminary student pursuing a master of arts with a double major in New Testament biblical studies and apologetics and ethics. He is a teaching fellow at the Gordon Lewis Center for Christian Thought and Culture. He enjoys coffee, reading, and hiking. He lives in Denver with his wife. Gutzemberg/iStock