Jesus The Politician
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
We as Christians often complain about the moral values of our country. We also realize that much of our moral decline can be traced to the policies that are enacted and come directly from our elected officials. However, many well meaning Christians are not involved with politics….often sighting what Jesus told his early disciples….”my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).Therefore they feel that God’s hand is in everything that happens….both in this world and the next. Why worry?
I recently purchase a book entitled, ”Jesus Was Involved in Politics” by Neil Mammen a preacher, teacher and a computer engineer.
I was anxious to how Dr. Mammen was going to treat this subject. I always believed that the Lord shied away from the politics of 1st century Israel, where Romans had successfully invaded and maintained a strong military hold on the country. I understood that the Lord was speaking spiritually and not politically. However, after reading Dr. Mammen’s book, I am changing my mind. His arguments for Christians invading the political scene are both convincing and persuasive.
1st Argument — Jesus and the Coin — “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:25 KJV). Jesus isn’t saying to stay out of politics. The coin belongs to Caesar (the coin with his image) and as a believer, you are stamped with God’s image so you belong to God. We are living under the Constitution, written and authorized by our founding fathers. We submit to that authority….not to the immoral laws which do not uphold the truths in that written authority. We also must view all laws as they relate to the moral laws God has authorized in his Word. We are duty-bound to fight against injustice and immorality.
2nd Argument — The Lord spoke out against the tyranny of the political leaders of his day — The official court of Israel was the Sanhedrin. It was composed of both the Pharisees and Sadducees, lawyers, scribes. The Sadducees actually controlled both the temple and the Sanhedrin. Jesus was constantly condemning the chosen officials for ignoring the poor, the needy, the outcasts of society. He was getting involved in politics.
3rd Argument — God judges a nation — Why will God spare our nation any more than his chosen people, Israel, when they departed from Him? Their King and his cohorts led the people into idolatry. So look around you. Do we not deserve to be judged and punished for allowing our country to become morally corrupt? (see article).
Dr. Mammen closes his book with these words: “When God judges our nation, you and I, the followers of Christ and our children will also be judged and will suffer the physical consequences of what we have allowed.“
Yes, Jesus was involved in politics….why aren’t we?
— Barbara Hyland, guest writer