Religion and Politics

October 15, 2008

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

In the immortal words of Linus Van Pelt in the classic It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:  “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people:  religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.”

I’m pretty sure the gospels are ominously silent on the topic of the Great Pumpkin (sorry, Linus!).  But I believe it has much to say about the first two.  In a country grounded by the separation of church and state, we are tempted to compartmentalize our religious convictions from our political ones.  Many think there should be no overlap between the church life we live on Sundays, and the civic life we live the rest of the week.  But a careful reading of the gospels can lead to only one conclusion.

Religion and politics should mix.

Notice the claim is not that religion and political power mix.  In fact, just the opposite is true.  The church and political power have always been disastrous bedmates.  The Crusades, the Inquisition, the support of slavery, and the subjugation of women are just a few of the examples of how a fusion between the church and political power only wind up corrupting both and enhancing neither.

Nor is the claim that religion and partisan politics mix.  Nowhere do we get the sense that Jesus would have been a Democrat or a Republican.  The point of the gospels is not to bow allegiance toward one political party over the other.  In fact, to squeeze a political endorsement out of Jesus would be a gross profaning of the Scriptures.  In the words of a popular bumper sticker advanced by the Christian group Sojourners, “God is not a Republican or a Democrat.”

We would do well to remember the words of Abraham Lincoln.  When asked whether God was on the Union side, he replied:

“ I am not at all concerned about that, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right.  But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”

So why do religion and politics mix?

Because they did for Jesus.  He lived a life immersed in the complicated political structures of his day.  He was surrounded by the dichotomy of haves and have-nots.  He ministered to people who were marginalized by society.  Jesus’ every word and every action was performed in a grand political matrix of Roman and Jewish relations.  

This is a direct counter to those who believe that Jesus came only to speak in ethereal, spiritual terms, only to minister to the souls of people and little else.  Those with this belief would render Jesus mute when it comes to oppressive political systems or economic injustice.  They would rather see him merely as a pastor than a prophet as well, who only comforted the afflicted rather than afflicted the comfortable.  

But consider our text for this Sunday’s sermon.  If Jesus was disinterested in speaking politically, then how does one explain this exchange in Matthew 22:15,17?

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “…Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’

Richard Horsley, in his excellent book Jesus and Empire, asks, “But if Jesus’ questioners and listeners all assumed such a separation of Caesar and God into utterly separate spheres, then how could the question have possibly been part of a strategy to entrap Jesus?”

This Sunday, we will explore how a thoughtful, mainline, centerfield Christian can be actively engaged in the world of politics.  We will do so without advocating for one political party over the other, and without seeking a kind of political influence that has produced a dangerous mix throughout the history of the church.

Instead, we will learn to look at our world through the eyes of Jesus, who was neither interested in political power nor apathetic to the real needs of real people.  In a time when presidential campaigns and political rhetoric occupy our attention at nearly every turn, let’s negotiate a vital balance between faith and politics, as Christians and citizens.  Let’s learn to be the church, in the context of the state.  

(And we can leave the Great Pumpkin to someone else.)

Grace and Peace,

Magrey   

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org



Matthew 22:15-21

15  Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
16  So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.
17  Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’
18  But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?
19  Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius.
20  Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’
21  They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.


YOUTH WACKY NIGHT
It’s what it sounds like!  A time of wild, wacky fun for all youth grades 7 – 12.  Join us at 5:00 for a snack supper, a time of great fun, and an inspiring lesson ending at 7pm.  You won’t believe the stunts you’ll be doing!

MMMM…..APPLE PIES…..
We are now taking orders for delicious, homemade apple pies and crisps made just for you!  Place your order at the church ($6.00 for crisps, $7.00 for pies) and plan on picking them up shortly after they are made.  Pies will be made on Thursday 10/16, Monday 10/20, and Thursday 10/23.  For more information, contact Phyllis Parrott or Jean Anderson.

DISTRICT CELEBRATION OCT. 23
Plan on joining us for a celebration of ministry in our sanctuary led by our District Superintendent Bernie Colorado and Field Outreach Minister Sarah Stevens.  The event includes the congregations of Aurelia and Sutherland-Larrabee, and begins at 7:00pm.