the Jesus Manifesto - Latest Comments in Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Van S — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:45:03 -0000

I'm not for complete extraction from any and all utilization of the Government for Christian aims. I just want us to tease out a theologically reflective approach. I don't reject all uses of the government, but while many on both "sides" are calling for a greater involvement in politics, I think we should be less involved--but at the same time we should be active in more direct ways--like directly relating to the poor and caring for the homeless directly as much as possible as a church, rather than relying upon government to further these goals. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that reliance.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Jeremy — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:53:43 -0000

Mark-

I've had this fight with Chris before on his blog. The problem with the thinking here is that its so black-and-white.

Though I agree with your Haurwasian perspective for the most part, I don't see what's wrong with the church utilizing the gov't as one means of accomplishing its calling. Wallis and others who are calling for this aren't arguing for an exclusively governmental approach to our ecclesial "goals."

To address your example, yeah, I think it is ok to utilize the gov't in some limited ways to achieve the "conservative" goals as well. I don't want state-run evangelism campaigns, but I have no problem registering my church as a 501c3 (Is Missio Dei a 501c3?), nor would I refuse monies from some sort of faith-based govt program (if there were no unethical strings attached).

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Jeremy — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:52:32 -0000

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

blorge — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 10:24:34 -0000

I've found this exchange interesting because I'm not sure that people have given a specifically theological reason for justifying participation in governmental activities/legislation/lobbying/etc.

I've seen logical ones, but not theological ones, per se.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Joel Parsons — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:47:03 -0000

Part of the problem is that the Church utilizes the American government to achieve ecclesial goals.

Amen brother!

And it doesn't just relate to the American government, to pretty much every government in a country with a significant Christian presence.

It is the role of Christians to display charity, to share their faith, to demonstrate love, not the role of government. It is an abdication of the Christian's call to simply think we can satisfy our call by getting government to do these things for us.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

todd h — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 14:01:18 -0000

Why see it as the church using the state as a tool? If the reign of God really is something that exists at least in part beyond the life of the church, then the goals and aims of the kingdom of God are something that lie beyond the church as well and are a part of a common life of all humanity. The church then does not have to view the state as an instrument to accomplish its God-given objectives, but instead can view itself as participating with men and women of other religions and belief systems in a common endeavor to show what God's reign looks like. This can be done whether or not the men and women of other faiths would even recognize their participation as pointing to the in-breaking kingdom.

It seems to me that the idea of cooperating in a common endeavor that is larger than the church is a more helpful way to conceptualize this problem than the idea of instrumentalizing the state, or pitting its objectives against those of churches.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

graham — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 13:23:59 -0000

Jeff, I don't think that anabaptists would necessarilly disagree with that. How it's done, might be debateable though.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Jeff — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 10:45:36 -0000

First, I think the religious right probably wouldn't have much problem with the comment about using the government to reach the lost. I think that is the agenda behind the "moral majority." The idea that good morals makes good people and good people will like Jesus.
Second, I agree with anabaptists ideologically, but practically, I just think that there are certain systemic injustices that can only be changed through the system or reforming it. Yes, individual Christians should care for the poor, etc., but Christians should also be concerned about how their government treats their friends and neighbors. I don't think it's a matter of either/or, but both/and.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Dave — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 08:49:32 -0000

I believe in social justice in the sense that nobody, no group, color, sex or sect, should be oppressed by 'the system'. I don't believe that just because someone is poor they are oppressed. Looking at it from a
constitutional point of view, I think that is the intent behind "We have the right to pursue happiness." No one group of people, unless their pursuit of
happiness victimizes another group, should be prevented from pursing happiness. Note, it doesn't say we have the right to be happy, just to pursue it. So the government is there to keep the things that inhibit our
ability to pursue happiness in check.

One of the problems I have with the leftie view (religious and otherwise) of social justice is that they seek to make people happy. And they think everyone should pay for it. They aren't concerned with their development or spiritual well being, just that they are happy now. I say this because I married into a Methodist family who thinks high of volunteering at the soup kitchen around Christmas time but makes no mention of saving grace.

I guess my point is the governments responsibility is to watch over our freedom, and we as Christians have the right, and responsibility, to reach into our own pockets, take time out of our schedules, and bring about
change.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Van S — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 23:39:49 -0000

Todd--I guess instead of "ecclesial goals" it would be better to say "the mission and aims of the Church." I know that the Kingdom of God and the missio Dei aren't limited to the Church, but it is highly problematic for the Church to use the State as a tool for the furtherance of the evangel.

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Steve Chatelier — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 23:24:55 -0000

Interesting Chris - I was not advocating that justice swallow up the definition of righteousness altogether...but since you mention it, it seems fascinating! While it may not be the answer, it is an interesting concept to ponder!!

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Chris — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 23:09:09 -0000

I think I know what you're trying to say, Steve, but I think you underestimate our power to change meaning in our own language. You are advocating that justice swallow up the definition of righteousness altogether, but I think it would be just as easy to define righteousness apart from its bad connotations (like self-righteousness)

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

todd h — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 23:02:50 -0000

ecclesial goals??

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Steve Chatelier — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 19:14:05 -0000

Yeah - I understand that justice\justification and righteousness derive from the same root words in NT Greek and OT Hebrew.

Mark probably already covered it, so sorry! Just to make explicit my point, though, what I was trying to say was that many on the left see that "righteousness" carries the connotations of piety which gives way to judgment\condemnation etc.

I am not saying this is right, but that to some extent is probably a reality. Therefore, there needs to be a renewed understanding of righteousness as justice...

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

CJ — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 18:41:35 -0000

Mark said in his post that he's using the word righteousness synonymously with justice (as in the Greek they are the same word).

Re: Right versus Left: One Neo-Anabaptist’s Perspective

Steve Chatelier — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 17:51:48 -0000

Thanks for the post!
I guess one part of the reason why those from the left may find your suggestion a difficult transition would be the word righteousness and the connotations that go with it...