Biblical Policy vs Church Politics

Since the Fall of humanity human government and political practice have been a part of history. An additional detail of this reality is the fact that both human government and political practice are stained by the sinful human nature. Being that political practice has existed long before the Church arrived within the historical arena, one may reason that humanity was more comfortable shaping the Church by means of political influence/manipulation rather than allowing the Church to shape political practice.
...The most blatant example of the former is found in the rise of the Roman Catholic Church following emperor Constantine's adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Rome in AD 313. A sudden influx of wealth, both monetary and prestigious, inspired corruption and set the stage for excessive heresy, blasphemy, and compromise that eventually led to Almighty God raising up an individual to cast Light into a spiritually dark age. Thus, in 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church in Germany, effectively exposing the Church's doctrinal drift away from Scripture and toward realpolitik, i.e. policy based on power rather than ideals.
...Politics is defined as "the use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining or promoting a position of power or control." In light of this understanding, the term "church politics" conveys a paradoxical meaning and is at times, perhaps, an oxymoron. The Church was birthed as something inherently Good with a noble and divine Purpose, yet it too suffers from the stain of imperfect humanity, whereupon rests the necessity of the Church's reliance on the Holy Spirit as Discerner of Truth and Jesus Christ as High Priest. The dividing difference between Church and politics is their origin, one divine and one carnal. This reality alone guarantees perpetual conflict on every level of church politics, i.e. spirit vs flesh. Some argue that proper employment of politics has benefited the Church/church, but who decides what is proper? Too often corruption arises from human nature (as human reason usurps Scriptural Truth), thereby halting and/or reversing any spiritual ground gained for the Kingdom of Heaven, which demands the aforementioned reliance upon the Spirit and Christ.
...What, then, is the alternative to church politics? It is simply found in a shifting of perspective that can be summarized in a new term: Biblical Policy. The previous definition of politics (an already stigmatized word) does not bode well for Christians as we are supposed to avoid manipulative intrigue and are expected to responsibly wield the power we have in Christ through meekness, not coercion. The root of politics is "policy," which is understood as "practical wisdom, principle, strategy, rule, and/or expediency pertaining to a course of action by an administrative body," to which I would attach the phrase "...as determined by Holy Scripture." The essence of policy, as opposed to politics, is of great import in that it better suits the mission of the Church/churches. For how can one insist upon a better way (Biblical policy) if one is not utilizing the "better way" but is still practicing the former way (worldly politics)?
...More intricate examination of the above definition offers key significance to policy over politics within the Church. The terms wisdom, principle, strategy, rule, and expediency are described as "practical," thus replacing intrigue with rational, proficient, and usefully applied ideals. "Expediency" promotes ideals of propriety, judiciousness, and rightness... which speaks directly to Christian ethics. And lastly, the "administrative body," which would be the Church Body, including individual churches/ministries worldwide, are purposed to govern responsibly over the different members of the church as instructed and commanded by the Holy Writ. Hence, Biblical policy, the polar opposite of realpolitik, is based on ideals (of Truth) rather than on power.
...The apostle Paul relays definitive counsel concerning the Church's policy toward comprehending, handling, and conveying properly the Truth of God to a lost world. He describes disciples of Christ as "stewards of the mysteries of God" and that "it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" toward such responsibilities (1 Cor. 4:1-2). This is not to be taken lightly. Moreover, he warns against carnal ambitions of the heart and intellect, that we may learn "not to think beyond what is written (in Scripture)," so that none of us will succumb to arrogance and conceit "on behalf of one against the other" (1 Cor. 4:5-6). In contrast to Paul's words one can readily witness such arrogance and conceit on continuous display amidst both world and church politics. And if the Church adopts and maintains worldly systems and solutions to its own internal governance and external influence how can it expect to receive the authority and righteousness of Christ? Rather, the Church must seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33).
...Christians are not of the world, even as Christ is not of the world (John 17:16). Therefore, we are to look to Him in order to identify our place in the world as His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20) and, like Christ, be about our Father's business (Luke 2:49), not the world's. Paul's simplistic conveyance of an expectation of unselfish and purposefully righteous ethics within the Church/church render the employment of "church politics" as useless in light of the strictly un-political character and exemplar of Jesus Christ.

5 comments:

Ashley Sharp said...

I'm realizing that it is really easy for us to make God really small in our lives. We are called to glorify Him... to magnify Him. Church Politics do just the opposite. They belittle Him. When we think bigger (like God does) that Biblical Policy you brought up here makes sense. I like the way you put this together.

Ashley Sharp said...

I recall recent talk of a new Blog in the works...?

Ashley Sharp said...

I just signed on to your Blog and the number of views was at 777... which I thought was very cool.

Kainos said...

...waiting on that new blog...still waiting.

Anonymous said...

Jon-
Where is the new blog?