Evangelical Futures
Fourth Quarter 2003
Alert to the growth of evangelical and pentecostal Christianity throughout the world, Craig Bartholomew organized a group of writers with whom he wrote and edited a book, just off the press, The Futures of Evangelicalism: Issues and Prospects (Inter-Varsity Press [England], 2003). Among the contributors are Alister McGrath, Kevin Vanhoozer Eugene Peterson, Christopher Wright, and Graeme Goldsworthy, and topics include theology, the church, missions, ethics, spirituality, philosophy, and politics. Stephen Lazarus, senior policy associate and leadership liaison at the Center for Public Justice, contributed the chapter on politics. Aware of the dynamics surveyed by Paul Freston in Evangelicals and Politics in Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as developments in the United States, Lazarus writes on the challenge that now faces Evangelicals in the political arena. The following has been excerpted from his chapter. —Ed.
The future of evangelical politics must move beyond the escapism, triumphalism, and resignation of past failed strategies. If Christian politics for evangelicals does not mean withdrawing for purity's sake, or driving for dominance, or accepting politics as usual, but, instead advancing a distinctively Christian vision of justice for all, what might this look like?
First, any proper framework for Christian politics is shaped by a biblical worldview. A biblical worldview takes as its guiding light the biblical story of creation, fall and redemption. These biblical themes provide the lens through which to view political life. God is at work calling people to justice from the earliest chapters of Genesis throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament. Living under the creation-wide reign of God's righteousness is not only a future hope, but it is in part also a present reality. Christ is even now restoring his creation. His kingdom, touching every aspect of human life, grows every day like a small but thriving mustard seed through the work of Christ's faithful followers. When Christians administer justice through governmental service or undertake other responsibilities in obedience to God, they share in the task of caring for and restoring God's creation.
Second, a Christian framework for politics is justice-driven. Justice means rendering to each person or thing in society what is rightfully due them. Justice is not an abstract or speculative theory, but a personal obligation to keep covenant with the Creator and the creation. Scripture repeatedly teaches that God loves justice and despises injustice. A Christian approach holds the state accountable to render justice to all its citizens.
Third, an evangelical framework for politics holds that justice is about maintaining right relationships among different institutions in society. In order for the state to promote justice in its specific arena of responsibility, it needs to relate properly to other institutions and organizations in society each of which has its own authority from God to exist and flourish. For example, a government's laws should encourage (and not hinder) the ability of schools to educate, congregations to worship, and parents to nurture their children. Justice requires the state with its lawmaking power to recognize the limits of its own authority so other institutions can carry out their distinct purposes.
What are some basic steps evangelicals can take to shape the future of politics and engage the public square as a service to Christ's kingdom? We must consider afresh that the God we serve desires justice in this world. Many problems the world faces today simply cannot be addressed apart from the responsible use of political power. God, the source of all power and authority, has given citizens and public officials together the task of seeking and advancing justice for all.
Evangelicals must work together to develop a coherent framework to guide their political activism. This ongoing work may take years or even decades. Evangelicals should work with others in the church with special insight such as economists, sociologists, pastors, theologians, educators, business owners, environmentalists and interested citizens who long to see a viable Christian political option represented in the public square. We must ask how a Christian worldview and vision for justice address such issues as poverty, abortion, ethnic and racial reconciliation, human rights, bioethics, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and international affairs.
Evangelicals also need to build strong organizations and coalitions to advocate for justice in the public square. Politics is a long-term communal task, not the work of individual 'Lone Ranger' Christians. To build support to enact legislative reforms into law, evangelical political organizations need to build coalitions with others, often including like-minded people from different faiths who share similar political goals.
Finally, advocating for justice in the public square is hard work. Evangelicals in politics need to develop a spirituality strong and deep enough to energize and sustain their labors for Christ's kingdom.
