What is the presence of the Kingdom?
One of my favorite authors, Jacques Ellul, in his own words “constantly tried to show how the action of God through Christians could solve the problem of the world; that Christians are in such a situation (placed by God in this situation) that they can respond.” Even though he was very politically and economically astute his primary assertion was that “In order that Christianity today may have a point of contact with the world, it is less important to have theories about economic and political questions, or even to take up a definite political and economic position, than it is to create a new style of life.” ( Jacques Ellul, Presence of the Kingdom)
What do you think about these statements — be honest. Are Christians in the world to solve its problems? Are we uniquely instructed and equipped to respond? What is this new style of life we are to create? What would that look like?
I think we are obligated to try to correct problems. Reasonable people can disagree about the best method of doing so, however.
Brian, great question … I think about this a lot … One of the things that we get mixed up with in the church is that, seeing gross injustice, immorality, oppression, etc. in the world, we often unwittingly get co-opted by the prevailing cultural wars and so lose some of the “bite” that God wants us to have as embassadors of his kingdom. An example: we are convinced that the homosexual lifestyle is destructive. We wage a cultural war on the “homosexual agenda” (who’s running this agenda anyway?), and fight for legislation that protects marriage, but fail to cultivate an idiom within our ranks capable of helping to bring healing to people struggling with homosexuality … this is where democracy poses a problem for the church … it’s weapons are not to be “carnal” but are “powerful for the pulling down of strongholds”, and yet we so easily think that all its going to take is more votes to stem the tide of immorality in our nation. Perhaps the prophetic injunctions against Israel should be taken more seriously: “Why go to Egypt for strength, why ally yourself with Assyria against Ephraim?” The people of God always lose something when they wage wars with the world’s weapons … “Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” … Just some thoughts …