It is a myth that Christians are handicapped in political arena

By J. Brent Walker

Reflections
April 2004

In the Spring 2004 issue of Southwestern News, a publication of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Malcolm B. Yarnell III seeks to correct "nine modern myths" he says handicap Christian political involvement.

Some of the article's "myths" are not myths. Some tell only part of the story. And some that are myths are not seriously promoted. Judge for yourself:

Myth 1. "Politics is concerned with that which theology or religion is not."

Politics and religion are different. One gravitates around the kingdom of God; the other is around the kingdom of Caesar. But, this is not to say that religious ethics cannot have an effect on public policy. Jesus' admonition about rendering to Caesar and rendering to God does not mean that people of faith cannot take their rightful place in the public square and the marketplace of ideas.

Myth 2. "Morality must not be confused with law."

Yes, it is impossible to divorce morality from law. And we should not want to. There is a sense in which morality can be legislated. However, under our constitutional system, laws must have a secular justification and not have a primary effect that advances religion. The moral grounding must be broadly based.

Myth 3. "The U. S. Constitution demands a strict separation of church and state."

The First Amendment certainly mandates a separation of church and state. No, it should not be hostile to religion. Yes, it ensures the free exercise of religion as well as non-establishment. However, full religious liberty requires a decent distance between the institutions of government and religion, and neither should commandeer the other to do its work.

Myth 4. "Preachers should not speak about politics."

I don't know many who peddle this "myth." Of course, when speaking for themselves, preachers can address politics, including electoral politics. And, even when speaking for the church, preachers can endorse candidates if the church is willing to risk its tax-exempt status. Finally, preachers can speak prophetically on the great moral issues of our day, even from the pulpit.

Myth 5. "Jesus was not political, and therefore, Christians must not be political."

Yes, Jesus challenged some of the religio-political structures of his day, but Jesus' kingdom was not of this world. He did not advocate the forceful overthrow of government or try to use government to support his ministry. That said, it is a myth that "Christians must not be political." The problem is, I don't know many who believe it.

Myth 6. "The Christian doctrine of the priesthood of all believers demands that individual rights must be paramount."

This is no myth. The Baptist notion of "soul freedom" and the Reformation concept of a "priesthood of all believers" argue forcefully for the primacy of individual conscience and direct access to God. That is not to deny the importance of the church. It means that out of our individual freedom we live with and are held responsible by other believers and that we voluntarily assume the role of "priesting each other."

Myth 7. "The basis of political democracy is freedom and freedom demands a lack of religious judgment."

It's no myth that freedom is the baseline of a democracy. However, freedom is not the same as license. Freedom must certainly be exercised responsibly as Paul reminds us in Galatians 5. Freedom and responsibility must always go together.

Myth 8. "Freedom of religion entails a neutral state with regard to all religious beliefs."

This is no myth either. The state must be neutral with regard to religion. Just because, as Yarnell argues, the state sometimes limits certain religious practices — pursuant to an overriding compelling interest in ensuring health and safety — does not mean that the state is not neutral. Neutrality requires that the state apply the same standard to all religions and otherwise treat all religions evenhandedly.

Myth 9. "Christian political theology is ultimately triumphal."

True, it should not be; but it often is. I agree with Yarnell that "lashing our politics to the meaning and example of the cross will keep Christian political activity from becoming triumphal in attitude and action." But, too many have not learned this lesson. Those who enter politics with a religious enthusiasm should also exhibit that classic Christian virtue of humility.

A real myth is the article's thesis that Christians are somehow handicapped in their political involvement — except to the extent it is self-imposed.