07/21/2024
“The Kingdom of God Is Not a Geopolitical State”
Luke 17:20, 21 NIV: Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
The “kingdom of God” spoken of and embodied by Jesus the Christ is neither geographical nor political in nature. It is a spiritual state of consciousness characterized by love of God and love of all God has created, including love of one’s perceived enemies and a healthy love of self.
Such spiritual consciousness may rightfully influence and guide a Christian’s political views and actions, but only insofar as one’s political views and actions reflect and uphold the divine principles of love, liberty, justice, and mercy. In order to be of benefit to one’s family, community, nation, or planet, a true Christian must refrain from trampling on the right of others, including the right to select and practice their own religious faith. In truth, nearly all religions are aligned with the same aforementioned divine principles. Thus, any political platform that aims to deprive anyone of freedom of religion, or of any other human right, would prove contrary to the principles of love, liberty, justice, and mercy, as well as to the well-being of all humanity.
So how ought Christians respond to political efforts that seem to conflict with the divine principles taught and practiced by Jesus the Christ? Given that all Christians do not actually agree on how to interpret what The Bible says about Jesus and how to follow him, it would be difficult to find a single or simple answer to this question. Still, the divine principles of love, liberty, justice, and mercy offer good roads and guardrails to guide and protect us on our journey of discipleship in all aspects of life, including governance and politics.
Attached to this post is an answer to the question of how Christians ought to respond from well-regarded New Testament scholars and authors N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird regarding a political ideology posing as a Christian perspective. I agree with Wright and Bird in their condemnation of so-called “Christian nationalism”. It is neither congruent with the Christian principles proclaimed in The Bible, nor with the democratic principles set forth in the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It is indeed a dangerous ideology to be resisted.
As a Christian clergywoman, I look not to politicians and political platforms that merely give lip service to the principles and values that I hold dear. I want to vote for candidates and support policies that most closely align with the divine principles of love, liberty, justice, and mercy, which transcend religious affiliation and foster the flourishing of all. I hope that you want to do the same.
Prayer: O God, Sovereign of all,
May the Holy Spirit show us through our advance research and fervent prayers where to find love, liberty, justice, and mercy reflected in the candidates and issues on our ballots when we vote in upcoming elections. We pray for safe and secure elections with peaceful transfers of power both in the U.S.A. and throughout the world. Amen.
— Rev. Helen Nelson
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