Wow! I am convicted: “Here's a simple test: The degree to which you place your hope in elections, as measured by your worry and dismay over electoral losses, is the degree to which you are beholden to false gods.”
I want to read this book now. We are called to love our neighbors, and loving our neighbors may involve political actions, but we don’t find our hope in those political actions. We find our hope in Jesus, whose Way is enough to transform the world.
As you point out, it is a mistake to confuse the state with the church. Politics is a distraction and an idol. I take "give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's," to mean we give a moderate amount of attention and emotional energy to poliitics--just enough to participate in democracy. But we place our hope and trust in God.
Wow! I am convicted: “Here's a simple test: The degree to which you place your hope in elections, as measured by your worry and dismay over electoral losses, is the degree to which you are beholden to false gods.”
I want to read this book now. We are called to love our neighbors, and loving our neighbors may involve political actions, but we don’t find our hope in those political actions. We find our hope in Jesus, whose Way is enough to transform the world.
"To turn your back on politics is to turn your back on your neighbor, a failure of love."
I'm not seeing how that follows from what you've written.
As you point out, it is a mistake to confuse the state with the church. Politics is a distraction and an idol. I take "give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's," to mean we give a moderate amount of attention and emotional energy to poliitics--just enough to participate in democracy. But we place our hope and trust in God.
Those who live by politics will die by politics.