The dilemma of Christianity and politics
Dr. Roberto Miranda
SUMMARY: The idea of Christianity as a comprehensive vision that governs all aspects of life can be uncomfortable for modern Christians in secular societies that emphasize pluralism and individual rights. While the Old Testament shows the integration of civil and divine law, Christians are hesitant to impose their beliefs on others and recognize historical failures of the Church when it held concentrated power. The Church must proceed with caution when advocating for greater integration with government and not be manipulated by politicians who identify as Christian but neglect gospel values once in power. Christians must earn society's respect through competence and honesty, exemplifying a healthy mix of revelation and aptitude.
The recognition of Christianity as a comprehensive vision that governs all dimensions of human life is sometimes deeply uncomfortable for modern Christians. In the West, we operate in a society that emphasizes secularism, pluralism, and individual rights. Modern culture goes to great lengths to avoid favoring one religion over another. This often results in confused and insecure Christians. On the one hand, we want to see the principles of the Gospel penetrate the different areas of life in our society. On the other, it hurts us to hear accusations that we want to forcibly establish a theocracy, suppressing the rights of each individual.
On the one hand, our respect for human dignity makes us hesitate at the idea of imposing a religious dictatorship. We do not want to violate the conscience of others. We look in scandal at the atrocities committed in the Muslim world in the name of a religious fundamentalism devoid of grace and mercy. We wonder how to honor God's word at the social and collective level without trampling on the rights of those who see the world through a different religious lens than our own. We remember the heinous religious wars of the sixteenth century in Europe, the terrible violence of brother against brother in the name of Jesus Christ. We are ashamed of the atrocities of the Catholic Inquisition in Spain, or the violent and ruthless expulsion of the Jews from that same country in 1492. We recognize that the hegemony of Christianity over the nations has not always been as blessed as might have been hoped.
On the one hand, our respect for human dignity makes us hesitate at the idea of imposing a religious dictatorship. We do not want to violate the conscience of others. We look in scandal at the atrocities committed in the Muslim world in the name of a religious fundamentalism devoid of grace and mercy. We wonder how to honor God's word at the social and collective level without trampling on the rights of those who see the world through a different religious lens than our own. We remember the heinous religious wars of the sixteenth century in Europe, the terrible violence of brother against brother in the name of Jesus Christ. We are ashamed of the atrocities of the Catholic Inquisition in Spain, or the violent and ruthless expulsion of the Jews from that same country in 1492. We recognize that the hegemony of Christianity over the nations has not always been as blessed as might have been hoped.
