THE CHURCH AND POLITICS

 

For a very long time, the issue of the church and politics has been greatly misconstrued and misunderstood. Writing under the topic “The Church, Ethics and National Development” in the book “Church, Politics and Social Transformation”, Kayode Peter Kareem said “The church is both a spiritual and a social entity and as a result she cannot shy away from ethical responsibilities. God has given enormous power to the church with which to influence people and the society positively. This is possible because the church represents the voice of God on earth. The Bible is ethical  in nature and its ethical disposition should compel the contemporary church to be up and doing in her ethical roles of pointing the right way to people and decrying immoral acts in any form”.

 

What then is politics? It has been defined as “science and art of governance”. Governance in turn is to harness the people’s resources, human and material, for the overall benefit and development of the people within a stable and acceptable system of administration.

 

To a very large extent we may understand that the church is the body of Christ – that is, the believers. However, it is also a religious institution and that those who belong to this institution are supposed to infuse into its adherents good virtues and values (such as wisdom), that should logically ensure good governance.

 

The ministry of Jesus continues through His body – the church. The church is needed in these trying times as much as it was needed in the days of the apostles. In a world of chaos, the church is required to make a difference in government and governance through good works. To do this, the church therefore, must make herself available for service to humanity. Giving service is a demonstration of our willingness to meet the needs of others as our Lord did. He met the spiritual and social needs of people. Politics is said not to be a dishonourable calling but one of the noblest callings since it has to do with seeking the best and highest interest of the human society. A Christian should seek a career in politics however without soiling or staining the garment of the church.

 

Up until now, people keep asking; why are church members less visible in political positions and offices or why does our church seem to be indifferent to the on-going negative developments in our contemporary society? The realization that the church is the salt of the earth and is light of the world and that through her the manifold wisdom of God will be made known to all principalities should motivate us to be involved in politics at all levels. We should lead the crusade for cleaner politics of issues and ideas, built on the scriptural foundations of probity, and accountability.

 

Kayode Adeoola Folayan on “The Place of Religion in the Fight Against Corruption” said, “Churches are expected to be epicentres of good moral values and Christ-like behavior. It is therefore expected that it should be able to stem the darkness of corruption that has enveloped the country. To achieve this, the church may have to do some of the following”:

-         “Living above reproach: The leaders in the church must live by example. They must imbibe the biblical teachings of 1 Tim 3:2 and Tit 1:6. They should strive to have good reputation and be trustworthy. Their lives must be so exemplary life that it attracts people to Jesus.”

-         “Leaders should stop the veneration of people with questionable wealth. The celebration and acceptance of gifts from people whose sources of wealth are questionable is an acceptance and encouragement of how they got the wealth. Often, people strive to make money to be respected in the society. The church should not be seen as to be supporting this.”

 

If the church and or the members will maintain a decent balance between politics and the spiritual responsibility then the society and indeed the humanity will be better for it.