The Siren Allure of Political Activism

[Lynn S. Nored]

Within  our Christian brotherhood we have both liberals and conservatives, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians.  Many of them are active in the political sphere. In this essay, the dangers that can befall all groups are highlighted. 

http://essaysonchristianity.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-siren-allure-o...

[James Nored]

This articles has many good points. While I follow politics, I place no hope in them to change the world. And the Lipscomb strain of our fellowship (Churches of Christ) shows why we rarely openly talk about politics in our churches (though you can still hear prayers about having the "right people" be put back in office, clearly pointing towards one party.

Obviously the state plays some kind of moral enforcement--there are laws everywhere against theft, murder, and the like. Should it be used to enforce or reject sexual immorality? If so, then why not have it enforce God's laws on wealth, greed, and care for the poor? 

It seems as if there is a very selective cherry-picking of moral laws that some Christians want enforced by civic law. And today's young people who are interested in social justice see just as much morality in money and how it is used and sexuality and how it is acted upon.

There is no simple line that can be drawn on these things. But if a majority of people are not for a law, as a matter of practicality, it cannot truly be enforced. And leading with moralism rather than sharing Christ, who has the power to truly change people, is a far less effective "method" of sharing our faith--which is in Christ.