Government and Social Problems

Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink

Monday 12th October, 2020

POV. COVID19 and The Elections have tossed the old chestnut question of ‘What is the Government’s Role in Fixing our Social Problems’ back into centre stage. As has always been the case Christians have different responses to this very important question. We are not even close to a consensus. Within the Christian community some Christians hold views that are almost at polar opposites.

1. Some Christians really believe that you can ‘Christianise’ the Government. It’s an old version of so called ‘Dominion Theology’1.The new ONE Party and Vision NZ (Destiny Church) have adopted this belief for example.

2. Some Christians don’t care or have given up. Their argument is simply, ‘The world is going to hell in a hand basket and beside Jesus is coming back very soon and He will usher in a ‘new Heaven and a new Earth’. Therefore we should pray for Him to hasten His return. So these folks have essentially withdrawn from culture and certainly are suspicious of Government no matter what brand. VERY suspicious!

So these two views are ‘polar opposites’. Either a takeover mentality or a withdrawal mentality. And both are alive within the Church and Christian Community generally.

Then there is a third view with a number of variations within it.

3. The majority of Christians believe that we must get involved in Government (and Politics) and we must engage. The premise and credal text for this much larger group of Christians is Matthew 5:13-16. NKJV.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour (influence), how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Though this may appear to be almost self-explanatory, it isn’t in fact straight forward. The next question is as much a controversial question as points 1 and 2 above and it is this - ‘How Then’? How Then Should We Live as Christ Centre-ed believers in a world that is increasingly secular and hostile to Christian Belief (and therefore to Christians)? How then should we interact with the Government of the day and the world of politics?

I think these and all the related issues and questions that fall out of this conversation deserve our time in prayer, thought and action both this Election week and every week hereafter.

Imagine if we could find consensus? Imagine if we could at least agree on a few ‘bottom line’ responses and build on that? Just imagine……….we might actually see our ‘salt and light’ powerfully at work in our fair country. Imagine that?

¹ For a good overview go here.

Further recommended reading.

Harvard Business Review Article, Government alone can’t solve society’s biggest problems.

An overview of Richard Niebuhr’s ‘Christ and Culture’ theory.

Dr John Stott’s outstanding book, ‘Issues Facing Christians Today’.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.