Is the "Christian Right" a mistake?

What drives the present marriage of evangelicals and politics?

At least four misunderstandings contribute to this.

1. A wrong prophetic view. Reform theologians, not expecting a Millennium, thought society could be "saved" without Christ’s coming. Some millennialists forget these roots of their crusade.

2. A wrong ecclesiastical view. Responsibility for "church action" belongs to a local church. "The Church" never refers to all believers on earth. Tragic events, like Hitler’s madness, moved some to think the church has a responsibility to withstand immoral governmental policy We are to "do good unto all men," but assemblies uphold truth (1 Timothy 3:15) by proclaiming it, not by confronting governments.

3. A wrong world view. This is not a Christian world. Christian principles are diametrically opposed to society’s standards. Imposing them is not possible and not workable, apart from Christ’s coming reign.

4. A wrong dispensational view. God’s Old Testament focus was the nation of Israel. Now, His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36); He is saving individuals "out of the world" (John 17:14, 16; Acts 15:14). If we understand this distinction, we won’t make Old Testament kings (and other worthies) our models for political action. Despite our nationalism, the only government that will bring God’s will to earth is future. Until then, our responsibility is to rescue men from the "kingdoms of this world."

D. Oliver
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