Christian Political Engagement

---

Speaker Notes

Mark 12:28-31

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

1 Peter 2:13-14
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 

Genesis 1:27
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

5 Principles regarding our identity:

first and foremost we are citizens of God’s Kingdom
    - ambassadors
    - colonists

second we are citizens of our Nations (“The City of Man”)
    - affirm and support the God-given role of government - 4 ways:
1) submission
2) pay taxes
3) prayer
4) give honor and respect

third: engage in the political sphere, but avoid the extremes:
1) not as apolitical people
2) not as politicized people

fourth - be engaged in a manner that is defined by:
    - the central Christian truth (Genesis 1:27): we are all made in the image of God;  and 
    - the central Christian ethic (Mark 12:28-31): Loving God, and Loving Neighbor 

fifth - to engage in this way in advocating for the commitments in the way that Scripture teaches:
8 areas to focus on to guide our Civic Engagement:

“For the Health of the Nation”, issued by the National Association of Evangelicals

1. Protecting Religious Freedom and Liberty of Conscience
2. Safeguarding the Nature and Sanctity of Human Life
3. Strengthening Marriages, Families and Children
4. Seeking Justice and Compassion for the Poor and Vulnerable
5. Preserving Human Rights
6. Pursuing Racial Justice and Reconciliation
7. Promoting Just Peace and Restraining Violence
8. Caring for God’s Creation

these are Principles, not Platforms

4 things that define the manner of our engagement:
1. humility
2. civility
3. listening
4. honesty

Mark is the Senior Pastor of Park Street Church, Boston.