World Views I is my favorite class. This is the one with Dr. Wellum, whom you will get to meet in October. For this class we have had to read a book by Francis Schaeffer called How Should We Then Live? Essentially, it is a book that traces the history of western thought for the purpose of better understanding our modern society. The book raises an interesting question: Should Christians fight for social reform?
Schaeffer would say yes. He is (or was) looking to bring about a sort of “Christian consensus” in society that would provide a basis for government, economy, art, etc. to function. Without a Christian worldview, he argued (I think correctly here), society will crumble. He was not necessarily looking for a truly Christian society, only one that had a Christianized world view.
First we need to ask the question: Is a society with a “Christian” world view but not many real Christians any better than a society with a pagan world view? I don’t think so. Even though the society may function better on a surface level, the core is still as sinful as ever. Is God any more pleased with a nation that functions better based on a Christian consensus? Again, I don’t think so. God looks at the heart. So should we fight for this in our society? My inclination is to say that since we can never change the heart of a nation, we should spend our energy as missionaries instead! It is also interesting to note that the New Testament apostles did not seem to care much about social reform. Usually they seem to say, “Tape it up and live life.”
But let me qualify that a little. We can establish a few things conclusively. God hates oppression and injustice. He hates it on a national level. And He calls for and even sends people to call for a change at times. Think back to the Old Testament; Jeremiah and Israel and Jonah and Nineveh. I believe that Christian ought to fight against injustice in our society. But here is the key–we are not fighting for the outward reformation of our society in order for it to function better, we are fighting against oppression for the sake of the poor, the widow, orphans, and unborn children. There is a big difference. We are not changing the heart of the nation, we are helping the oppressed. We should do this individually in every day life, and sometimes nationally.
Also, do not think I am advocating a complete indifference to the state of our nation and government. I believe that, because we have to submit to governing authorities, we might as well take what opportunities we have and make that as easy as possible. I certainly don’t mind a society with a Christian world view. So go vote!
August 30, 2008 at 10:55 am
This is such an interesting subject. As you have mentioned at the end of your post, “I certainly don’t mind a society with a Christian world view. So go vote!” I concur.
The Roman culture was unchangeable by a vote. Our society is changeable by our votes. We have an obligation to seek the good of society (a Christian duty, “do good to all men”) by voting with a good conscience and with our world view in mind. If we do not, we unnecessarily place burdens on the rest of society, even the rest of Christian society.
Paul did not organize the churches to fight the social ills of the day, but rather encouragaed believers to live with them as redemptively as possible. But if there were an option to vote in that day, I’m sure he would have expected believers individually to exercise their freedom to do good for all. It is similar to the slave question in 1 Cor 7. Slaves, stay like you are. But if you can be free chose that, he said.
As Christians, we should not organize for political gains and put a Christian name on our organization. Such organizations are usually far from Christian since they join with “so called” Christians, like Mormons and Catholics who do not comprehed the gospel. In such organizations, we have to agree NOT to speak the gospel, becaues we cannot be one on what that is. That is not Christian at all. And, in doing so, we simply become another special interest group. Rather, as “individual” Christians, we should be active in government and in politics because we CAN make some things better. Within reason, we ought to be good and active citizens.
Beyond this, our evangelistic work accomplishes more than all of this put together. As you’ve heard me say, “We might have done more for society if we had been good Sunday School teachers of little Bill Clinton, than if we raise a million signatures on a petition.” JE
September 9, 2008 at 12:47 am
Bryan,
Get out of my head man! Great stuff. Keep it up. We’re praying for you.