The dialogue over Christians and public policy continues

By Bryan Fischer

Here is another chapter in my ongoing dialogue with an individual who challenges AFA's work of speaking truth into the public arena.

— Original Message —
From: xxxxx
Sent: Wed 16/06/2010 7:23 PM
To: Bryan Fischer
Subject: Re: Jesus and Politics

Bryan,

First of all, I'm not concerned so much with what the "Christian thing to do" is, but rather what Jesus did do (which, very often throughout history is not the same thing as what a Christian would do). Therefore, it isn't a question of if Jesus cares about laws forbidding murder but of what His mission was while on earth. Fortunately, we have a great record of His dealings and can deduce the things that mattered most to Him. Clearly, due to its absense (sic), creating new laws to "make" society reflect the character of God wasn't high on His priority list. He certainly spoke out against murder, but called alot more people murderers by His definition in Matthew 5 than we would today. He also let the authorities handle murderers and adulterers, never punishing them Himself or asking for them to be punished differently than the laws called for. He simply left it alone...

We find no mention in Scripture of Jesus wanting new political laws or being dissatisfied with the ones Rome had put into place, even though they were often grossly contradictory to the law of Israel. If we are called to imitate Christ, it is not our primary purpose to try and push legislators to make certain laws, but to follow in the footsteps of our Savior...

Originally, my concern that I addressed to you had nothing to do with any of this. My concern is that AFA/One News Now is an organization that promotes anger at the government and slanders individuals, namely the president of the United States. What doesn't matter is if you or I agree with the policies President Obama has put in place. What does matter is that the same Romans 13 you quoted to me in your last email forbids us to disrespect him as an authority God has placed over us...

What I failed to see in any of the arguments you laid out is love for the people you are speaking about. Most of the articles by AFA/One News Now sound like they were written by frustrated and angry people who want the secular government to solve spiritual problems. Yet, we must remember that, "if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbol. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Cor 13:1-3). I want to challenge you to challenge your organization to speak lovingly to those who persecute you or infringe on your rights or create policies you disagree with. That is what Jesus the Messiah did.

—

My response:

Hi xxxx!

A couple of questions in response. Do you, as a follower of Jesus, support laws against murder and theft?

If so, why? Would it bother you if government revoked the laws against murder and theft or refused to enforce them?

Would it be a matter of indifference to you as a Christian if someone murdered your wife or daughter and civil government did nothing to apprehend and punish the perpetrator? That would seem to betray a callous indifference to the value of the life of the people closest to you, and a failure to appreciate what the Scripture teaches about the proper role of government in Romans 13, which, according to Christ's apostle, is "an avenger who carries God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4).

Secondly, is there anything an elected official could do that would prompt you to criticize him?

Don't forget that John the Baptist publicly rebuked Herod for his private sexual conduct, and Jesus called Herod a "fox." Jesus, rather than rebuking John for his criticism of a public official, said, "Among those born of women none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). Is there anything our president, for example, could do that would prompt you to imitate the example of John the Baptist or Jesus in this regard?

For instance, one of the first things President Obama did as president was to revoke the Mexico City policy, a policy which prohibited the use of your taxpayer dollars from being used overseas to butcher unborn babies. Does it trouble you at all that American dollars are being used for this purpose? If it does not bother you, why not? That would seem to betray a callous indifference on your part to the value that Christ placed on human life and a lack of compassion for babies in the womb. That hardly seems like a compassionate, Christ-like position to me.

If it does bother you, why would you not speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves? Speaking out for innocent victims who cannot defend themselves would seem to me to be about the most Christ-like thing someone could do.

Bryan Fischer, AFA Director of Issues Analysis

© Bryan Fischer