What Is the Chief Political Concern of the Bible?

[Ryan Pugh]

This could probably go in several existing threads.

What Is the Chief Political Concern of the Bible?

Tim Suttle has posited the question to some of the world's top theologians and scholars. There will still be disagreement on what exactly it means to live out any of the answers they gave, but I thought it was valuable to read.

I suggest reading the introduction of Tim's post. It's important as he describes how we normally start with our idea of politics and then seek religious rationale for those beliefs, going to the Bible to affirm our already held political beliefs.

A few of the responses:

N.T. Wright, New Testament Scholar at University of St. Andrews

The chief political concern of the Scriptures is for God's wise and loving ordering of his world to be operative through humans who will share his priorities, especially his concern for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable. This concern was embodied by Jesus in his inauguration of 'God's kingdom' through his public career and especially his self-giving death, which together set the pattern for a radically redefined notion of power.

William Cavanaugh, Theologian specializing in Political theology at DePaul

Jesus' chief political concern was clearly for more tax cuts for the rich. 'My yoke is easy, and my burden is light' is an obvious reference to cutting or eliminating capital gains taxes. This is the only way of explaining why hedge fund managers were so close to his heart.

Stanley Hauerwas, Theologian and ethicist at Duke Divinity School

The chief political concern of the Bible is to worship God truly.

Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament Scholar, Columbia Theological Seminary

I believe that the central political question is the management of public power in order that there should be an economically viable life for all members of the community. Thus justice is front and center and some texts, especially in Deuteronomy, are for the distribution of wealth in order that all may be viable. Obviously such justice is marked by mercy, compassion and generosity. The purpose is to create a genuine neighborhood for all the neighbors.

Brian McLaren, Author and theologian

God's solidarity with the poor, oppressed, outcast and forgotten.

Obviously, there are some common themes running through the responses. Is there one that resonates well with your own understanding?

[Dan Henderson]

William Cavanaugh, I think he answered with the sincerity such a question rates.

[Paul DeBaufer]

I love Cavanaugh's statement, so filled with obvious biting sarcasm, or is it sardonicism?

[Glenn Messer]

There is no 'chief' political concern of the Bible.

In the O.T. there was a warning: Government will take from you. In the N.T. there was a validation of that: Give government what belongs to them.

Yes, there is a bit of sarcasm here.

[George Wallace]

The chief political concern would seem to be, Kiss the Son or Perish.

PSALM 2

Why do heathen nations rage?
Why do peoples folly mind?
Kings of earth in plots en-gage.
Rulers are in league combined;
Then against Jehovah high,
And against Messiah's way,
“Let us break their bands” they cry,
“Let us cast their cords a-way”.

But the Lord will scorn them all;
He will laugh Who sits on high.
Then His wrath will on them fall;
Sore displeased He will reply:
“Yet according to My will
I have set My King to reign.
And on Zion's holy hill
My anointed I'll maintain.”

His decree I will make known:
Unto Me the Lord did say:
“Thou art My beloved Son;
I've begotten Thee this day.
Ask of Me, and Thee I'll make
Heir to earth and to nations all;
Them with iron Thou shall break,
Dashing them in pieces small.”

Therefore, kings, be wise, give ear;
Hearken judges of the earth;
Serve the Lord with godly fear;
Mingle trembling with your mirth.
Kiss the Son, His wrath to turn,
Lest ye perish in the way,
For His anger soon will burn.
Blessed are all that on Him stay.

[Todd Erickson]

It all depends on how you define politics, doesn't it?

[John Reilly]

Social and economic justice for all peoples.

[Wes Smith]

I'd say...social sameness. No winners. No losers. No successes. No failures. No idiots. No geniuses. No rich. No poor. No enterprising. No lazy. No strong. No weak. Just vanilla. God loves vanilla!

Friend,

Wes

[Paul DeBaufer]

Exodus seems to be about freedom from oppression. 1 Samuel 8 is about God should be our leader, not a king or government, God even tells us how oppressive our governments will be, and He was right. Isaiah 58 tells how much God despises oppression and that we are to rid ourselves of our oppressiveness in all of our systems. Jesus radical love is subversive to the oppressive authority, both religious and civil.

So, the take away message I get is that God, IF He has a political agenda, wants us to do away with all forms of oppression and we should not support any system that has built in any form of oppression of any people. We should not support any system that supports any oppressiveness.

[Dan Henderson]

So, the take away message I get is that God, IF He has a political agenda, wants us to do away with all forms of oppression and we should not support any system that has built in any form of oppression of any people. We should not support any system that supports any oppressiveness.

Either socialism or democracy in pure forms would be ideal forms of government if it were not for the problem of greed. Benevolent dictatorships would work except for the problem of the fallen nature of man.

[Paul DeBaufer]

Either socialism or democracy in pure forms would be ideal forms of government if it were not for the problem of greed. Benevolent dictatorships would work except for the problem of the fallen nature of man.

I don't think so. I see socialism more as an economic system than a political system. Democracy? Read the Republic (you probably have), I tend to agree with Plato here. We became a republic to stave off the evils that can come of pure democracy, yet that has its own. God was right down through the ages right up until today. I don't know what the answer is as far as how we deal with the so much greater population we have today compared to Israel's in the days of the judges.

[Cam Pence]

Either socialism or democracy in pure forms would be ideal forms of government if it were not for the problem of greed. Benevolent dictatorships would work except for the problem of the fallen nature of man.

I think that kind of hits the nail on the head for me