We are living through a revolution. But though plenty have pointed it out (not least the Daily Telegraph that helped bring it about) I have yet to hear or read anyone who has understood it. Not that I do - but I want to have a stab at it!
In the Old Testament, poor kings secured their power by encouraging the worship of false Gods. Ahab as an example allowed Baal worship to replace the worship of the Living God throughout the land. It took Elijah to challenge it (when fire came down from heaven to set fire to the sacrifice that he had poured water over).
In the modern western world, the State demands our worship. More and more we have given it power. It demands that we go to war in its name, we pay our tithes to the tax man, it makes itself the centre of our existence. (I think of the national curriculum, the restrictions on local government, the undermining of family life).
In the Old Testament, poor kings secured their power by encouraging the worship of false Gods. Ahab as an example allowed Baal worship to replace the worship of the Living God throughout the land. It took Elijah to challenge it (when fire came down from heaven to set fire to the sacrifice that he had poured water over).
In the modern western world, the State demands our worship. More and more we have given it power. It demands that we go to war in its name, we pay our tithes to the tax man, it makes itself the centre of our existence. (I think of the national curriculum, the restrictions on local government, the undermining of family life).
The State demands that we tolerate all beliefs and views, saying that every view is equal. But I suspect the real agenda is that the State wants to be in control. The State is perfectly capable of being intolerant when it suits (I think of the undermining of Habeas Corpus - the right not to be detained without a fair trial).
Not that all state power is wrong. Far from it. But anything is wrong if it is replaces the Living God.
3. We know that we dare not point the finger. Who of us can be sure we would not fall into the same sin? ('There but for the grace of God go I'. Or as someone put it in the pub the other day "There are only three of them that are squeaky clean... Never mind, we would all milk it if we could.") We must lead the way in humility.
4. We worship a God who is full of justice AND mercy. The revelations have been appallingly indiscriminate. The media have so often been judge and jury. The good have I suspect been accused along with the bad. This is as appalling as the expenses scandal and questions should be asked in due course. We must not allow the sense of outrage to sweep away justice.
5. We must give a lead when it comes to the forthcoming elections
a) It is a Christian's duty to vote, to take part in the community. Especially it is so this time.
b) We should vote on the basis of seeking out those MPs who will represent us well. This means that we do not simply register a protest vote. The huge danger is that parties that peddle hate will benefit from the scandal. 'Out of the frying pan into the fire'. No, we must seek out those who will be good MPs, and we must vote for them, whoever they are.
We are citizens of a universal city. The world may have made exiles of us, but sometimes it is the exiles and refugees who can give the lead. What a wonderful lead Nelson Mandela gave in South Africa. We all have in small ways the opportunity to be Nelson Mandelas when we register our votes.
It demands all this on the basis that if we put the State first we will have a happy existence. This has developed over roughly 300 years. It even demands that we put aside the Living God - and dares to demand that we bow at its altar when at work by taking off our crosses and not offering to pray for those we meet.
Not that all state power is wrong. Far from it. But anything is wrong if it is replaces the Living God.
And now the State has let us down. The one thing that was meant to care for us (since it has undermined or weakened everything else: family life, local government, Trades Unions, church etc) has failed us. People are angry! We have seen through the false promises. We have turned on the politicians. The Speaker, as the symbol of our MPs, has been sacrificed. Other politicians are following. We are angry with the false god that has failed us.
It seems to me that only an understanding such as this can explain why our land has turned upside down. The expenses scandal viewed on its own is not enough. After all, many people have been suspicious for a long time.
But we, as those who worship the Living God, who is Love, must give a lead. How do we do this?
1. We know about forgiveness. We know that it is all to easy for us to be caught up in the web of sin. For those politicians who show genuine repentance, there must be forgiveness. The anger must be against the wrong, not those who do wrong.
But we, as those who worship the Living God, who is Love, must give a lead. How do we do this?
1. We know about forgiveness. We know that it is all to easy for us to be caught up in the web of sin. For those politicians who show genuine repentance, there must be forgiveness. The anger must be against the wrong, not those who do wrong.
2. But where trust has been destroyed (even if there is true repentance) the 'new start' should mean a new MP. Repentance is not an easy thing and there is a healthy caution that waits for the fruits of repentance, and recognises that time is needed for new lifestyles to be established.
3. We know that we dare not point the finger. Who of us can be sure we would not fall into the same sin? ('There but for the grace of God go I'. Or as someone put it in the pub the other day "There are only three of them that are squeaky clean... Never mind, we would all milk it if we could.") We must lead the way in humility.
4. We worship a God who is full of justice AND mercy. The revelations have been appallingly indiscriminate. The media have so often been judge and jury. The good have I suspect been accused along with the bad. This is as appalling as the expenses scandal and questions should be asked in due course. We must not allow the sense of outrage to sweep away justice.
5. We must give a lead when it comes to the forthcoming elections
a) It is a Christian's duty to vote, to take part in the community. Especially it is so this time.
b) We should vote on the basis of seeking out those MPs who will represent us well. This means that we do not simply register a protest vote. The huge danger is that parties that peddle hate will benefit from the scandal. 'Out of the frying pan into the fire'. No, we must seek out those who will be good MPs, and we must vote for them, whoever they are.
We are citizens of a universal city. The world may have made exiles of us, but sometimes it is the exiles and refugees who can give the lead. What a wonderful lead Nelson Mandela gave in South Africa. We all have in small ways the opportunity to be Nelson Mandelas when we register our votes.
As the media get all excited around us, let us recall the scriptures that remind us that though kingdoms totter, God is our strength and refuge (e.g. Psalm 46). Let us not be fearful, but full of trust.
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