POSTED 23 FEBRUARY, 2009

The Intersection of Politics and Religion

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

An Uneven Playing Field

For most of my truth-seeking adult life attempting to understand the why, how, what, when, and where of the created order, reading and discussing both politics and religion has been my passion. From studying history and political science in college, to working on Capital Hill in Washington, to being involved in local and state politics in Texas, to becoming a born again Believer, and now being drawn into a ministerial vocation, I have always been fascinated with these two subjects. Of course this zeal has been partially tempered by a variety of unscrupulous social transformers, who have surreptitiously weaved into the frontal lobes of thinking people the erudite conclusion that these forbidden subjects are not to be discussed among polite company. This would then relegate many who fight in the battles of life—without the intestinal fortitude and perseverance—off the field to the sideline benches, or worse, the bleachers!

It was not until the other day that I finally discovered why it has always seemed that people of faith are mentally hamstrung when it comes to societal debates on controversial topics like the separation of Church and State, abortion rights, or the homosexual agenda. I neglected to remember the obvious fact that the actors in the drama of life are adhering to two diametrically opposed sets of rules for the competition of life: Biblical or non-Biblical.

My epiphany came when I heard a practical quote prophesied by John Adams, our second president, and one of the most influential and radical founders from the nascent era when our Constitution was debated and adopted. He described the inherent governmental challenge with a constitutional republic established by a written document. According to this wise but not overtly godly or religious man (even though he was a direct descendant of the Puritans that settled in the New World),

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Upon first hearing this quotation, a light illuminated my thoughts as I realized that those who are living a life consistent with Biblical principles, both moral and religious, are the only people who will not deliberately and selfishly manipulate the Constitution or the principles it invokes. How could I have overlooked this obvious flaw clearly recognized by the framers when the revered Constitution was first conceived and formulated? Did they think that mankind was evolving and improving because of the obvious positive strides they were making to form governments of democratic rule?

Today, over 230 years from the Constitution’s adoption, the uneven playing field appears even steeper as we witness the rapidly increasing devolution of mankind. In those intellectually stimulated and enlightened times of the late Eighteenth Century, the tenants of nefarious secular humanism were in its infancy. The human abuses of amoral mob rule evidenced themselves during the French Revolution, occurring only a decade after American independence. The proverbial die was already cast for the American republic, as the forward-thinking framers instituted amendment procedures for governmental modifications.

Although the concept of original sin and the depravity of man was debated down through the centuries by theologians ranging from Augustine to Calvin to Arminius and the other Reformers, it appears that in order to keep the Constitution from becoming a religious contract, the freedom of religion provision was not a part of the initial contract but rather incorporated into the ten amendments of the Bill of Rights. Clarifying the rights of the citizens was critical for gaining unanimity among the first thirteen states. Ironically, it was during this time period, from 1789-1791 that the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen had a profound influence on what ultimately was adopted into the United States Constitution.

The first amendment to the Constitution addressed not only freedom of religion, but also freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Needless to say, the stretched abuses of this amendment by amoral and unreligious people have in many ways contributed to where our nation finds itself today. People without a moral compass that is instilled into a changed heart of flesh will naturally construe these provisions to their advantage. When it comes to legal matters, many will simply comply with the laws that have been instituted by men. Adherence to superior laws found in Scripture, required by the Creator, are relegated to another realm.

If you find yourself arguing with someone that does not live by God’s higher laws of ethics and morality—which are beyond any technically contrived legal or legislated rules—you find yourself at a great disadvantage. The playing field is not even. Adams’ foresight was right when he noted that the Constitution he was co-authoring with others was wholly inadequate to govern if amoral and non-religious people gain the reigns of power.

Today, more than ever in our history, we are witnessing the results of a governmental system failing because of the inherent flaws in human nature. Without revival precipitating a return to morality and an adherence to the loftier laws communicated in the Holy Scriptures, our system is on a collision course with potentially disastrous results. It did not take the secular French Republic revolutionaries long to realize the errors of their godless ways. For the American experiment in a democratic republic, the apparent success of a government based on written laws and respect for human rights was great. Perhaps the blessings of our Pilgrim, Puritan, and other religious forefathers seeking the freedom to worship God according to their conscientious ways have simply forestalled judgment.

But are the generational blessings beginning to be overwhelmed by the commensurate generational curses that are accruing, as the iniquities of the fathers are being extended to the third and fourth generations (Deuteronomy 5:9-11)? Is the cup of iniquity of moral and ethical sin filling to a point of overflowing (Revelation 18:5-6)? When judgment is poured out, can anyone avoid even the indiscriminate splashes of judgment if the entire nation needs to be generally chastised for abandoning morality and God’s ways?

Ignoring or winking at God does not forestall His providence as the French found out. Paying lip service for God’s blessings for an audience or the nation, as one closes his speech, does not fool or assuage the Almighty. God is watching and noting the heart motivation when someone makes a token reference to Him. He is aware that many have come and gone on this Earth while invoking His approval for many things. Remember, God is not mocked (Galatians 6:6-9)! If you truly know God, you have a great responsibility to not lose heart or grow weary in the race of life, even if the field is uneven and the rules seemed stacked against you.

The good news, in spite of the uneven rules of life, is if you sow good works or plant the good news of life, you will reap the rewards of pointing others to the truth, and most importantly, eternal life. On the other hand, if you follow and sow to the amoral inclinations of your flesh, your flesh will reap corruption and punishment. Knowing how these dynamics work will be more important as we move even more rapidly through time. The topics of politics and religion are currently intersecting in multidimensional directions, as knowledge increases and access to information cascades from multiple sources. Are you equipping yourself to handle the opportunities as you venture onto the field? Are you appropriating all of the available spiritual tools and weapons of warfare as you enter the fray?

Ages ago, the Apostle Paul found himself at the crossroads of Roman politics and a radical religious changes and he gave his readers some sound advice that will close this discussion:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:10-19; cf. Isaiah 11:5; 59:17; 52:7).

Note the conclusion of this exhortation. After recognizing the enemy and employing the weapons of warfare, it all boils down to prayer, petition, and perseverance. Being able to accurately and boldly share the mystery of the gospel can answer all the political and religious questions you will ever encounter.

Be sensitive to those opportune intersections with people who are seeking the answers to life’s greatest questions. The uneven playing field gives you one great advantage: you will be off-balance and unable to stand. But that is good. When you are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)! When you come down from the bleachers, or get off the bench and onto the field, you will realize that depending on the indwelling Holy Spirit is the only way you can effectively compete. Apart from abiding in Him we can do nothing:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.