As I sit here tonight and read about the death of Rev. Jerry Faldwell a number of things come to mind. One is of course to pray for his family during this horrible time in their lives. Another is many good things he did with Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist church in Lynchburg. But other thoughts come to my mind when it comes to Faldwell and politics. In the 1970’s Faldwell formed the political action group called the “moral majority.” A group he disbanded in the late 80’s. Faldwell was known as a controversial figure when it came to his typical far right stance on issues. Now before I say anything else please understand that I believe Dr. Faldwell was a very Godly man even though our ideas probably would not line up on many things. I believe he did more good for the kingdom than bad. But with his death I began to think further about the role of the church in politics. Can you legislate faith? As Christians we fight to keep things like the 10 commandments up in a courthouse. We fight to keep creationism taught in schools. We fight for the right to life. All which are good things. But in some instances do we loose our focus? Has God called Christians to be political? And by turning political are Christians going to win back a culture that has lost its way? I really dont think so. I dont believe we are called to legislate our faith. Granted our faith leads and directs how we feel politically, at least I know it does for me. But at the same time, God does not belong to a political party. God isnt a republican to some peoples suprise and God isnt a democrate. God is God! God has always been just that, God. Maybe as Christians our focus should be more on him. Maybe if more people who claimed to be Christians in the moral majority acted like Christians we wouldnt need to be quite as politically active. Maybe if a world saw Christians living their faith instead of talking about it and condeming others who dont believe, maybe Christ followers would be the majority. I’m as guilty as the next on this. Many times I’m quick to condem an action, but if people were to closely watch my life closely would they see Christ? At the same time God has given each and every one of us passions, talents and any number of things that we are good at or enjoy that we are to use in glorifying Him. So does that mean if God has given us a passion for politics are we not to pursue our passion and glorify Christ through it? Is this in some way a circular argument? Well probably so. But I do feel that as Christians to many times we are so busy telling people what we’re against we forget and tell them what our God has called us to be for. We’re called to love and we are called to reach out to those who are lost and dieing. People are dieing and going to hell and we as Christians to many times are fighting about whether we’re Calvinist or not, or whether women can minister, or maybe we’re listening to see how someone prays during his or her own prayer time. Our lives are ones that are to be lived out loud. Lives that are to be seen and heard. We cant legislate how someone should believe but we can show them how we believe and how Christ has called us to love them. Maybe this is just a ramble but its one that I think is important. We cant legislate Christ, but we can show his love.
Peace and Love,
The Whiteman
