Ron Miller, Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Government, Liberty University
INTERDISCIPLINARY ESSAYS
Cultural Engagement in Law/Government: Good Citizenship or Public Activism? Cultural engagement is fundamental to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, Jesus Christ’s primary directives to His followers. Christians are conflicted, however, when it comes to the disciplines of law and government.1 Research reveals significant differences among Christians on politics and policy, and even pastors who believe the Bible speaks to current issues are unsure about instructing their congregations on political matters. 2 John MacArthur opines that Christians, rather than engaging in political activism, should commit themselves to “faithful preaching and godly living,” changing the culture through “the spiritual power of God’s Word.”3 Conversely, R. Albert Mohler Jr. holds that Christians must participate in politics, declaring “Trouble in the City of Man is a call to action for citizens of the City of God, and that call to action must involve political involvement as well.”4 Some of the greatest political movements in history were led by Christians who stood against injustice and unrighteousness, following the examples of Biblical figures like Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, who directly influenced the kingdoms of their times, or Deborah and David, who held political authority over their domains. William Wilberforce declared “God Almighty has set before me two great objects; the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.”5 He used his position as a politician to champion great moral causes in Great Britain, to include the abolition of the slave trade and slavery itself, and humane treatment of society’s poor and oppressed. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. confronted racism and discrimination from the pulpit and in the streets. His “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” seared the nation’s conscience and called the church to account for its failure to oppose racial injustice. He set the standard for Christians to follow in changing the culture for Christ:
One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.6
Christian cultural engagement in law and government is good citizenship and public activism. What, then, is Christian cultural engagement in law and government? It is good citizenship and public activism. The committed Christian must discern how their unique calling compels them to faithfully discharge the tasks the Lord has prepared for them. 1 An example of this confliction is evidenced by the need for a Multiview text on this topic; see Amy E. Black, Five Views on the Church and Politics (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015). 2 See Chris Woodward, “Barna: Many Pastors Wary of Raising ‘Controversy,’” One News Now, August 1, 2014. Accessed May 20, 2016, http://onenewsnow.com/church/2014/08/01/barna-many-pastors-wary-of-raising-controversy; and N.A., “2009 Religious Conservative & Progressive Activist Surveys,” Public Religion Research Institute, September 15, 2009, Accessed May 20, 2016, http://publicreligion.org/2009/09/2009-religious-conservative-progressive-activist-surveys. 3 John MacArthur, “The Gospel and Politics”, Monergism, accessed May 20, 2016, https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/ articles/onsite/gospelpolitics.html. 4 Albert Mohler, “Engaging the City of Man: Christian Faith and Politics,” Albert Mohler, July 13, 2005. Accessed May 20, 2016, http://www.albertmohler.com/2005/07/13/engaging-the-city-of-manchristian-faith-and-politics/. 5 Robert Issac Wilberforce and Samuel Wilberforce, Life of William Wilberforce, Vol 1, 2nd ed. (London: J. Murray, 1839), 149. 6 Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, Center for African Studies, University of Pennsylvania, accessed May 20, 2016, https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_ Birmingham.html.
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