A prominent Christian apologist seeks to debunk what he calls four “myths” that Christians have about politics, revealing that too many believers remain on the sidelines and a critical culture They warn that they are being cut off from the public conversation. Summit Ministries recently released a new free online service. video series“Should Christians Avoid Politics?” challenges prevailing perspectives and encourages believers to develop a Biblical worldview about political engagement.
Summit CEO Jeff Myers said the series was born out of the organization's desire to reach new voters. Each summer, Summit Ministries hosts a Biblical Worldview Student Conference for individuals ages 16 to 22.
“They're nervous,” Myers told Crosswalk Headlines. “They want to make good decisions, but they're seeing political infighting and they don't know what to do.”
But the series is aimed at Christians of all ages, many of whom “are not as engaged as they should be as a nation,” Myers said.
“I'm not saying they have to be zealous political party members or political geeks, but we are citizens of the kingdom of God and we are also citizens of the kingdom of man,” he said. “And not getting involved is not an option.”
Myers said one of the “myths” the series explores is that “choosing the lesser of two evils is itself an evil.”
“I think everyone can probably relate to this,” Myers said. “You look at two political candidates and think, 'How do I decide? I don't like either of them.'” [But] It's important to note that votes are not “likes”. Voting is the hiring decision. We then make hiring decisions based on whether the person can effectively manage the government in accordance with the constitutional principles and founding documents on which the government is based. So instead of thinking, 'I have to hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils,' I say, 'Is either of these candidates more likely to be less evil?' I think you should ask the question. ”
Another myth, Myers said, is that “politics doesn't matter when it comes to what really matters.” In response, Myers points to what he calls “territorial sovereignty.”
“There are three sides to society,” he said. “Family, church, and state. These three spheres must be in balance with each other. Think of three balloons in a box. When one of them inflates, the other two It will put pressure on you.”
The family is “the location of the economy and the location of education.” The purpose of the state/government is to “guarantee the rights of the people” and “ensure the free flow of commerce.” The church is “the conscience of the government and part of the training ground of the family.” The church “does not tell governments what to do, but it must stand up for what is right and wrong and encourage rulers to do good rather than evil.”
Myers said the series is aimed at small group, family and individual enrichment. He added that Christians can participate in politics without adding to the country's polarization. The key is for Christians to “disagree in a spirit of grace, which Christians can and should model as a model for society as a whole.”
Photo provided by: ©Facebook/Dr. Jeff Myers
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
