“It’s time you let your theology inform your politics not the other way around,”
Ever heard that saying.
A rather patronizing way of saying ‘my theology is the correct theology’
Theology has never been an exact science it’s purely man’s interpretation of the scriptures.
You won’t see any theology degrees amongst the disciples they had the Holy Spirit that qualified them and appointed them.
That to me is what should guide our politics anyone can learn theology, I can take an online course and I am a theologian.
What you can’t teach someone is a lifelong passion for God.
A lifelong passion is driven by the Spirit?
When the apostle Paul was proclaiming his credentials, he did not sprout off what University he went to.
He merely told the Church at Galatia that he was qualified via appointment from God through the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12-13 (NIV).
So it should also be with our politics.
We live our lives with a unique God given purpose, the ministry of God is far too big to be done by one person. Nor can the whole of the human body be operated by one part.
Each part works different for the good of the body’s owner.
So it should be with the head of our body, Jesus Christ.
Christ has called us with unique attributes and a passion for his creation and that will look differently to each of us.
How we interpret politics and how we perceive world events will look differently to each of us.
When Christ becomes the Lord of our lives he will reveal things to us.
He will reveal something else to someone else.
It is important that we continue that lifelong passion to see more of him, to see him more clearly.
Paul had a lifelong passion for Christ was revealed to him by the Spirit, so it should be with all of us.
So how do we respond when different interpretations collide?
Rather then accuse one side of being driven by politics rather then theology we look to the Apostle Paul and his advice to the Corinthians.
10” I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV).
Basically the apostle here is saying agree as much as you can, focus on what you have in common.
It’s sad when you go particularly online and you see Christians tearing strips off each other over politics. Politics!
Most of which has no bearing on our salvation, as Christians it is important that we become good citizens and we participate in debates and discussions that Christ has given us a heart for.
But our highest calling should always be to love, my relationship with my brother and sister should be protected our unity in Christ should be protected.
Therefore if I get into a disagreement I will proclaim God’s truth but nothing will separate me from my brother and sister.
Some thoughts that we can no doubt dwell on.
Ben Kruzins is the Campus Pastor of The Hub Baptist Church in Ocean Shores on the North Coast of New South Wales. He is also a Journalism graduate who has written articles in The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald.
