7.18.13
Perception: Christians are primarily motivated by a political
agenda and promote right-wing politics.
New Perception: Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex situations.
I myself do not involve myself in politics. It has never been much of an interest to me. But the chapter urged Christians to do so, and I plan to process how God could use me in that setting. Nonetheless, the short chapter was insightful in how Christians are viewed to be to right winged and political and how we might respond appropriately to the unChristian view.
Impacting quotes form the chapter:
-Our lives should reflect Jesus, which includes not just how
we vote, but every element of our political engagement – our conversations
about politics as well as our attitudes about ideological opponents.
-As Christians we have much to learn about engaging in right
ways and for the right reasons. Based on the data we have been collecting for
the last three years, I believe we have to reconsider our strategies and
approaches related to politics, or we risk losing appropriate forms of
political influence and damaging our credibility in representing Jesus to
outsiders.
-You cannot change an individual’s morality through
legislation, but the reality is that laws deeply affect our culture and create
social expectations for the people living in it…As an ancient Greek musician
Damon of Athens said, “Show me the lyric of a nation and it matters not who
writes its laws.” Movies, television books, magazines, the Internet, and music
are incredibly significant in shaping the worldviews and lifestyles of today’s
America. Where is God calling you to serve him – media, arts and entertainment
politics, education, church, business, science?
-Be willing to talk with Christians of different racial and
ethnic backgrounds about their political persuasions. Chances are their perspectives
will challenge you. Learn how their views of politics and culture are shaping their
engagement with the world.
-Christians do a lot of complaining about the society and
how bad things are in politics, but they don’t do much more than complain. The
point is that you have to offer more than an opinion.
Most importantly, remember real change comes from deeply
transforming their hearts, by helping them embrace a passionate, thoughtful,
personal connection to Jesus.
