For some time, now, I have been in the habit of reading a couple of newspapers online (both environmentally friendly and less expensive!) and have sometimes contributed to one of the discussion forums (threads). Yesterday, one thread (in The Herald) was started on the reports of the conviction of the murderers of Garry Newlove, and his widow's vow to press politicians to make Britain's streets safer.
The first "poster" stated that "The political party that promises to bring back capital punishment, conscription and to erect new prisons in off-shore deserted islands in the north of Scotland will have my vote. Unfortunately, such a party does not exist as yet." and was supported by others. Another poster suggested that the BNP was the party that would meet these requirements, but was of the opinion that the extreme right-wing policies of that party were not the best answer.
I added my own tuppence-worth by pointing out that there was another political party that stood for, among other things, justice for those who could not defend themselves. I was referring, of course, The Scottish Christian Party whose posters during the 2007 Holyrood elections ensured that the written Word of God was publicly displayed all over the country.
But the question is sometimes asked "Should Christians be actively involved in secular politics?" (I say "secular", because I have discovered, over the years, far too many Christian fellowships that are as "political" as anything that the world has produced!)
To answer that, as any such question, we turn to the Bible, and there we find that God is involved in, and often uses, political instruments to bring about His will and purposes. He uses the politics of power to chastise His people in Old Testament times; Moses was not only a great leader, but also a very competent politician; David, too, was a politician of no mean capability.
In the New Testament, Jesus preaches that "The Kingdom of God is among you" - a clearly political statement. He preaches "Good News to the poor" - a clearly political activity. He condemns the political, as well as the religious, leadership of His time (e.g. Luke 13:32).
Christians are called to be both salt and light in the world - but we cannot be that if we keep the salt in the salt-cellar, and the light under a cover. Many Christians feel disenfranchised because they are unable to fully support any of the secular political parties. Perhaps it is indeed the time, in God's plan, for a political party that understands that politics is about service,and that submits, not only to the electorate, but to the direction of Almighty God.
At a hustings in Falkirk, during the 2007 Election Campaign, I stated that an outsider, looking at the nation of Scotland, and the short history of the new Scottish Parliament, might well come to the conclusion that Scotland has forsaken the God of its fathers; the God to Whom the Covenanters gave their first allegiance; the God, in Whose Name people like David Livingston, Mary Slessor, Sir William Alexander Smith, and many others, did the great works that they did. I suggested that it might well be that The Scottish Christian Party has been raised up, "for such a time as this", to proclaim that God has not forsaken Scotland!
I encourage any reader to prayerfully consider offering practical support to The Scottish Christian Party (only in Scotland! There is The Christian Party, and The Welsh Christian Party for the other areas of Great Britain. Outwith GB, please feel free to support the SCP!).
The first "poster" stated that "The political party that promises to bring back capital punishment, conscription and to erect new prisons in off-shore deserted islands in the north of Scotland will have my vote. Unfortunately, such a party does not exist as yet." and was supported by others. Another poster suggested that the BNP was the party that would meet these requirements, but was of the opinion that the extreme right-wing policies of that party were not the best answer.
I added my own tuppence-worth by pointing out that there was another political party that stood for, among other things, justice for those who could not defend themselves. I was referring, of course, The Scottish Christian Party whose posters during the 2007 Holyrood elections ensured that the written Word of God was publicly displayed all over the country.
But the question is sometimes asked "Should Christians be actively involved in secular politics?" (I say "secular", because I have discovered, over the years, far too many Christian fellowships that are as "political" as anything that the world has produced!)
To answer that, as any such question, we turn to the Bible, and there we find that God is involved in, and often uses, political instruments to bring about His will and purposes. He uses the politics of power to chastise His people in Old Testament times; Moses was not only a great leader, but also a very competent politician; David, too, was a politician of no mean capability.
In the New Testament, Jesus preaches that "The Kingdom of God is among you" - a clearly political statement. He preaches "Good News to the poor" - a clearly political activity. He condemns the political, as well as the religious, leadership of His time (e.g. Luke 13:32).
Christians are called to be both salt and light in the world - but we cannot be that if we keep the salt in the salt-cellar, and the light under a cover. Many Christians feel disenfranchised because they are unable to fully support any of the secular political parties. Perhaps it is indeed the time, in God's plan, for a political party that understands that politics is about service,and that submits, not only to the electorate, but to the direction of Almighty God.
At a hustings in Falkirk, during the 2007 Election Campaign, I stated that an outsider, looking at the nation of Scotland, and the short history of the new Scottish Parliament, might well come to the conclusion that Scotland has forsaken the God of its fathers; the God to Whom the Covenanters gave their first allegiance; the God, in Whose Name people like David Livingston, Mary Slessor, Sir William Alexander Smith, and many others, did the great works that they did. I suggested that it might well be that The Scottish Christian Party has been raised up, "for such a time as this", to proclaim that God has not forsaken Scotland!
I encourage any reader to prayerfully consider offering practical support to The Scottish Christian Party (only in Scotland! There is The Christian Party, and The Welsh Christian Party for the other areas of Great Britain. Outwith GB, please feel free to support the SCP!).
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