Theology and Politics

Theology and Politics

Marion D. Aldridge

We are living in a time when politicians are trying to be theologians, and theologians are attempting to be politicians. It’s not working out very well.

Over the years, I’ve resisted the temptation to post my political inclinations on Facebook or my blogs. I’ve been a happy American, blessed beyond reason under both Democratic and Republican Presidents.

My specific concern this week is when people speak, as if they knew what they are talking about, in areas where they don’t know what they are talking about. For instance, the Bible.

I know little to nothing about economic theory or geological formations. Neither is a field in which I have expertise. So, I offer no opinions.

The Bible is a Big Book. It says a lot of things. If you study the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and take a course in systematic theology, and another in ethics, you will discover quite a long and complicated history about how people of faith should live in the secular world. Here are a few of my summary thoughts about matters of faith, as they relate to the law:

1) Jesus was clear when he said to let Caesar have what belongs to Caesar, and let God be in charge of the God-stuff.

2) Paul was a follower of Jesus, willing to go to jail for disobeying laws. In fact, when he named his top three motivators, the law did not make the list. He said the Big Three are Faith, Hope, and Love, and the greatest of those is love.

3) The Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and Paul all point us to higher ground: “What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

The law is not to be our moral compass. Legalism is a methodology for defending, instead of fixing, a broken compass.

These are principles even a politician can use as an ethical guide.

Lamentations # 2: Orlando and the Complexity of Life

“In the immediate aftermath of a horrendous event like the massacre in Orlando, taking a breath and offering prayers for the victims and their families and for our country generally is the right thing to do. Reacting quickly and thoughtlessly can produce intemperate responses with unintended negative consequences. Not speaking up can do so too.” George Mason, pastor of the Wiltshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

The title of this blog is enough to put off most people. We want simple and immediate answers.

If you’re a cop, your single assignment is to stop a shooter. If you’re an emergency room doctor, your job is to stop the bleeding—literally. But even straightforward situations can become complex quickly.

Most of us have the privilege of reflection—What caused this tragedy in Orlando? Why did Omar Mateen kill 49 people in cold blood? How do we respond? What can we do to stop this from happening again? Is there a “take away” from which we can learn?

I’ve seen at least nine different themes emerge over the past few days.

• First responders. Thank God for police, firefighters, EMT, nurses, physicians and others who must DO something immediately in the face of such tragedy.
• Grief and Anxiety. Of course, the families and friends of those killed or wounded are directly affected. But millions who knew none of the victims are also shaken. I have already posted a blog about Lamentation: https://marionaldridge.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/lamentation/
• Mental illness. In a radio interview with the shooter’s former wife, she said Omar Mateen was bi-polar.
• The LBGT community. The Pulse nightclub was apparently not chosen randomly, but specifically because it catered to a gay clientele.
• The Latino community. The men and women at the club on Saturday night were largely Latino.
• Islamic extremism. The shooter was, by all accounts, a self-radicalized Muslim.
• Gun Control. Would this have happened if assault rifles were more difficult to purchase?
• God: Some people, because of bad theology, will think God had some purpose in this atrocity. Others will declare such horrific acts prove there is no God. Others will go to a church, temple, or synagogue looking for solace.
• Anger is a part of grief. If these repeated attacks on innocent people don’t anger us, we are already dead.

Events such as this may be like a Rorschach test to which we bring our own agendas. The best politicians, and the citizens who elect them, are those who take the long view and consider all these narratives (and others) in fashioning a meaningful response. It’s bad enough when an extremist has an assault weapon. It’s even worse when an extremist has an army at his or her disposal.

Yesterday afternoon, I participated in a vigil in memory of the victims in Orlando and in solidarity with the unnamed victims around the world—peace-loving Muslims, the LBGT community, the mentally ill. The list is too long, but this is my place to start. I will try to be wiser, more prayerful, and a more hopeful, more faithful, more loving Christian.

“Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus