Some Links On Theology And Politics
By T. H. Wright
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I was converted in part out of a political ideology and as part of that move, I took a two-year political hiatus in which I neither read nor watched the news. (This all followed a destructive act of anger on my part and God’s gracious humbling.) Following my return from political abstention, I slowly began to digest the news, wary of becoming enraged, concerned that I did not know what my fellow man was experiencing around me. (During my news-fast, which lasted from roughly fall 2010 to 2012, the Syrian civil war broke out and I was unaware for most of the two years.) While this proved helpful in calming my temper, it could not last.
Since then I have sought reliable sources of thought on society, politics, culture, etc. A recent addition to my source of such thinking has been The Public Discourse, which I have enjoyed reading for its longer form discussions of political topics. Their tone is not vitriolic, the content is meaningful and thought through, and their writers come from a variety of backgrounds. While I may not agree with everything they say, I enjoy reading their viewpoints and considering the discussions which they bring to the table.
This article focuses on the peace that can be found in a place like New York City through the construction of public parks and the removal of public parking spaces. A wonderful read offering much to think about and analyze!
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2019/08/54832/
UPDATE: 20190822
I recently stumbled across the following two articles.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/not-two-kingdoms-but-two-ages/
This response suggests Leeman may misunderstand his sources.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/for-calvin-two-ages-meant-two-kingdoms/
These articles pertain to the relationship of Church and State and present a great start to discussing an issue which the church has dealt with much since the 16th century. While knowing the history behind these debates and the twists and turns they have taken can be helpful, these articles provide at least a starting point for the conversation that takes what has come before and offers a biblical pattern for how to think through the subject.
UPDATE: 20200731
This article takes an historical look at recent totalitarian governments to see what they have in common. What is perhaps most interesting is how both sides of American politics display certain qualities but lack others.
https://quillette.com/2020/07/29/understanding-totalitarianism/
UPDATE: 20200808
The following article reviews Compassion & Conviction, which argues for a new Christian political identity for America. The review suggests it would be a helpful read for those looking to discern more within our current cultural milieu.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/compassion-conviction/
I also am attaching several articles from 2016, released in a series of posts at TGC, which attempt to explore similar ideas.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/4-unique-perspectives-politics/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/nevertrumpers-in-the-age-of-trump/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/powerful-witness-from-position-of-weakness/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/hope-for-america-despite-signs-of-death/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/raise-up-transcendent-voice-in-partisan-world/
This post by John Piper is indirectly political. While he addresses political attitudes at the start of the article, his primary purpose is not to communicate a political ideology but how Christians must stand apart from that which so easily traps and ensnares unbelievers. He offers a simple remedy: Brokenhearted Boldness.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/brokenhearted-boldness
UPDATE: 20200810
This book review connects what Charles Taylor’s Our Secular Age did with the rise of New Age religions that focus on how these supernatural-naturalist secular religions dabble in religion, adopting any and every practice that seems good with little to no consistency or depth of thought, all while attaching these religious and spiritual (though they may say “I’m spiritual not religious”) views to their politics in an over-realized eschatology. It sounds like a great read!
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/08/68887/
UPDATE: 20200814
If you came to Redemption Studio hoping to find a bunch of posts and only posts on artwork, only to find topics from theology to economics to politics being regularly posted, you may be wondering if you landed on the correct website or if the website is perhaps wrongly labeled as an art website. Your observation is not wrong; a vast majority of my sharing links as of late have been on topics that are not directly about artwork or which do not feature artwork as the point of discussion. This though misses a point and purpose of artwork. Artwork is not limited and should not be limited to a Bob Ross show. Artwork interacts with human philosophy, and deeply so.
There are several reasons why I have been sharing numerous such posts.
First, politics is bludgeoning our culture to death, which is to say that the issues of politics are a burden on everyone. You might say, “I need a respite somewhere from all of it,” and I would agree, but let me encourage you to consider not only how you can find rest in God but how you can use artwork to help others struggling in this time.
Second, the Bible talks about these things. As our society more and more tries to relegate the Bible to the “Does Not Apply” category, their issues more and more scream out for a Personal Absolute and moral objectivity.
Third, artwork should be used for the cultural mandate, teaching our culture, edifying the Church, and criticizing non-Christian worldviews (which are found in non-Christian art). Christian artwork is both part of human activity and God’s creation-dated command and it can be used to help the Church, whether to meditate and reflect, to process and analyze, or even to think clearly and communicate what the Church believes to others.
Fourth, I have seen non-Christian art which has blatantly stated that if you do not hold to the artist’s political views or worldview, then that artist’s artwork is neither to be associated with nor utilized by you. We need to understand such an artist’s worldview as he or she represents a segment of our culture and the surrounding population. If we do not understand his view, then we cannot show compassion towards it or criticize it and offer and appropriate apologetic.
Fifth, as I have attempted to read more and more from outside my own circles, I have thought it beneficial to share the articles I read for others to consider and discuss. I do not share everything I read, but if I think the article is worth discussing, then I share it.
This may be a non-exhaustive list of reasons for why political posts should be shared on an arts website, but it should be at least a sampling of why Christian artists should not avoid politics and art like the plague. Many great works throughout history have been a reflection of the political climates in which their authors have lived. We need good and great artwork for today’s day and age that shows how the Gospel shines forth in such situations.
UPDATE: 20200824
In line with other things Tim Keller has written, I think he has articulated the Christian’s position within politics well. The only thing I disagree with is claiming that helping the poor and fighting racism “seems liberal” when the distinction between left and right is how to address these, not whether to address these. While some on the right do at times use rhetoric which may suggest otherwise, it is currently the left advocating for racially segregating dorm buildings on campuses and other such policies. The problems of not caring for the poor and racism know no party affiliation. (While there are also those who are left-leaning who do want there to be a biblical sexual ethic, and while clearly politicians on the right have not proved to be bastions of sexual ethic, I think the other issues illustrate the point better.)
In this way the article could seem to advocate a sort of “middle party” that is an amalgamation of our two parties, taking the best and leaving the rest, or even advocating for a third centrist party. I don’t believe that’s what he is doing, but if that’s what some take away from this I believe they’ve missed the point. While we have to operate within the limits of our government, and as Keller argues that we cannot be apolitical, I don’t think Christians are to be centrists, who are as much a political party as the other two.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/29/opinion/sunday/christians-politics-belief.html
UPDATE: 20200826
This article does a great job explaining why “It’s not in the Constitution” does not equate to a sufficient moral and political ethic.
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/08/70383/