azspot: Bill Day I try to avoid using Jesus too much in political debate, though I know I fail at that sometimes.  This is not to say that my Christian faith does not inform my political opinions, because my faith in God should be the utmost definer of my worldview, though I readily admit I am often a failure as a Christian.  No, the reason I tend to dislike using Christ in political debate is twofold.  First, he said himself that his kingdom is not of this world.  As such, he sought not to inspire change through political activism, but through personal transformation - though that transformation and reformation is not intended to stay personal, but to enact global change. Secondly, and tangentially, people’s use of Christ in politics so often misses the point.  Communalism is not the same as communism; charity is not the same as redistribution.  One might argue that the modern church should be more like the first century church, sharing in everything, but that is not an argument for why American or other governments should be more like the first century church.  One might argue the American Christians should give more to those in need, but that is not an argument for why the American government should increase social welfare programming. I don’t think Christ would or should be called a socialist, whether supposedly in this comic or intentionally as do some on the left.  Christ calls people to radically change through his work, his power, his grace, and his mercy.  It is outside of the political system; as such, I am always wary of those who attempt to force him into the middle of it.

azspot:

Bill Day

I try to avoid using Jesus too much in political debate, though I know I fail at that sometimes.  This is not to say that my Christian faith does not inform my political opinions, because my faith in God should be the utmost definer of my worldview, though I readily admit I am often a failure as a Christian.  No, the reason I tend to dislike using Christ in political debate is twofold.  First, he said himself that his kingdom is not of this world.  As such, he sought not to inspire change through political activism, but through personal transformation - though that transformation and reformation is not intended to stay personal, but to enact global change.

Secondly, and tangentially, people’s use of Christ in politics so often misses the point.  Communalism is not the same as communism; charity is not the same as redistribution.  One might argue that the modern church should be more like the first century church, sharing in everything, but that is not an argument for why American or other governments should be more like the first century church.  One might argue the American Christians should give more to those in need, but that is not an argument for why the American government should increase social welfare programming.

I don’t think Christ would or should be called a socialist, whether supposedly in this comic or intentionally as do some on the left.  Christ calls people to radically change through his work, his power, his grace, and his mercy.  It is outside of the political system; as such, I am always wary of those who attempt to force him into the middle of it.