Over the past four years, I have
been more interested in politics and current events than ever before in my life.
I’ve struggled to understand various perspectives and wondered what propels
Christians, in particular, to embrace diverse views.
That is what propelled my interest
in the reprint of an April 19, 1985 Christianity Today article by J.I.
Packer, a well-known evangelical theologian, who died this past July. “How to Recognize a Christian Citizen” appears
in the September 2020 edition of the magazine. Because the article struck a
deep chord in me, I wish to attempt a summary of it.
Packer begins by briefly reviewing what
is said about “civic obligation” in the New Testament and then moves on to thoroughly
define what he calls “three [misguided] developments in modern Christendom.” First
is “[t]he politicized intentions of some Christian relativists” who lose sight
of the Gospel as they promote social justice. Next, he reviews “[t]he pietistic inhibitions
of some Christian absolutists,” those who accept the Bible as God’s inerrant word
and seek to live holy lives but eschew political involvement. Finally, he describes
“[t]he political imperialism of some Christian biblicists” as those who hold
fast to the Gospel but misconstrue their involvement in the political process
as “the modern equivalent of holy war in the Old Testament, in which God called
upon his people to overthrow the heathen and take their kingdom by force.”
What then, are Christians to do when
it comes to political engagement? Packer outlines five possible ways to
exercise “responsible commitment”:
1.
Everyone should stay informed about
current issues and candidates.
2.
Everyone should pray for our elected
officials.
3.
Everyone should vote. He exhorts Christians to vote “by issues
rather than personalities, and not by single issues viewed in isolation, but by
our vision of total community welfare.”
4.
Some “should seek political influence
by debating, writing, and working within the political party with which they
are in nearest agreement.”
5.
Some “should accept a political
vocation.”
Packer ends his article with a
lengthy quotation from The Christian Citizen by Sir Frederick
Catherwood, which urges humility in our service to humanity out of love for God.
Packer’s writing helps us identify
potential pitfalls for Christians today. He reminds us to hold fast to our
faith while seeking to influence the world around us for good. He encourages us to be informed and exercise
our right to vote. Amidst the “us versus them” divisiveness that abounds today
and threatens to split our country and even our churches, let us remember the
Great Commandment. Let us speak and
write with respect and civility toward those with whom we disagree. Let us remember that Jesus calls us to love
without exception and seek His Kingdom first, even when we disagree.
