Chart On Faith & Politics

Motto / Motif Focus of political discipleship

Model A Political Withdrawal •

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Key Verses

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What about systemic injustice? Should Christians attend candlelight vigils or similar events?

Model B Advocacy & Protest

Model C Creative Peace-Making

Inner spirituality and • struggles with the flesh Virtually ignores politics • completely, apart from intercession “Political change will • happen in God’s time; He will raise up leaders according to His will”

Challenging and • condemning injustice Working with political • parties (usually the Opposition) “The Church missional • must act to stop injustice; God is calling us to speak prophetically against political darkness”

“Let every soul be subject • to the higher powers. For no power exists except that which is from God: the powers that exist are ordained by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and • those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2)

“He has showed you, O • man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to • walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice….The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just” (Prov 21:3,7)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) “We should pray and repent “We must act and speak vicariously” prophetically against the oppressors” “No! As this will distract “Absolutely! This will from the main task of encourage solidarity with the evangelism, tempt them to sin victims, nurture hearts of by going too far and expose compassion and for justice and them to picking up the wrong bring the church into and for spirit of the other protesters the world” and missing the real purpose of the Church. When hearts change, political structures will follow suit”

Reconciliation and forgiveness for all Working with political parties to balance protests with peace-making “The Church must protest via our suffering efforts to reconcile with the enemy; God is calling us to a new form of power, the power of love and forgiveness” “Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-48) “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19,21)

“We must change the hearts of the oppressors through our love and forgiveness “Sure, solidarity with victims and protests against injustice is important but so is demonstrating a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies”

Pros’

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Cons’

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Highly evangelistic, with • constant focus on Christian’s spiritual • relationship with God Focuses on other areas (e.g. education, feeding the poor, etc.), especially in the work of exalting Christ

Passionate heart for the • poor, marginalized and oppressed in society Identifies heavily with • politically powerless and is in no danger of being ‘closet Christians’

Strong focus on reconciliation, mercy and forgiveness Targets efforts at changing the heart of the enemy, instead of merely challenging him

Could be seen as • indifferent or uncaring about systemic injustice Nothing to say about socio-political issues and thus becomes ineffective • missionally

May end up being fully • aligned with political partisanship, thereby obscuring the unique message of the Cross Not much new to add to the socio-political agenda or • modus operandi

May be ineffective as an agent of change, given its unrealistic (and impractical?) agenda of reconciliation between rival partisans Call for reconciliation with the enemy may be seen as insensitive to victims and the oppressed