Never mention politics, ethics or anything controversial?

Unlike the US presidential contest the upcoming NZ general election isn't receiving much international press, in fact, it's not getting much NZ press either!

Well done to Saddleback for making a distinct and unique (even exclusive) contribution to the US (and therefore global) context, but it's got me wondering what we have to offer as God's people into an election process.


I was a bit dismayed that in the Saddleback context there was some tubthumping and riotous response to McCain's use of the right rhetoric, particularly around the issue of abortion, but little positive feedback to Obama's explicit commitment to finding ways to reduce the number of abortions in the US whilst explaining that he is pro-choice as well as pro-life.

Are we, as Christians, unwilling to listen? Are we unable to give a fair hearing to those that we disagree with? I've often felt that we don't listen well - not only to one another on issues of theological diffence, disagreement and division - but generally we don't listen well, especially where controversy might rear it's head. I'm no less guilty, I'm throwing no stones.

Even here in the Coffee Bible Club we've sometimes resulted to invective rather than inquiry, throwing stones rather than asking questions. I'm dissatisfied with that. I'm tired of it. I liked what Paul had to say and Dave and Scott have just posted the teaser interview with Driscoll on using strong language. I wish I could get to that seminar and anyone who knows me knows that I don't shy away from strong words, sometimes even when they are not called for. I'm not against controversy, uncovering error, ridiculing religion or even berrating political leaders when their actions do not match their words and vice versa. As His Church we must live in this world and speak loudly and prophetically His Word with all the energy He gives us.

But can we discuss issues like abortion, the politics of US foreign intervention, the economic impact of globalisation, interventionist and free market economics, the impact of Israeli politics on the stability of the middle east, the rights of the individual and the obligations of society, the ethics of policy and politics in any given nation with a keen gospel ear and a clearly tender heart? Can we do all of this without ignoring that we really may disagree on those things and all have to hear gospel challenges to our position? Can we really do that in a way that doesn't make us charicature one another, so that we attack an image of who we think we're talking about rather than challenge who we are actually talking to?

If it is possible, how do we do it? What questions do we ask? What things do we put in place that build mutual respect and provide for changes of heart that aren't framed in terms of 'winning' or 'losing' the argument? How do we do these things in the fields of theology, ethics and politics?

How do I ask you who you would vote for without you (or I) feeling like it is a shibboleth to determine whether you are on my side or not? How do I think through my political bias, and how do you help me to do that, without ignoring that as citizens of a city to come our greatest allegience is the Christ rather than a political position or leader? How do I address my own conscience and the political realities in the coming months and deciding who I will vote for in NZ and who I hope people vote for in the US?