New Commandment Men’s Ministries BlogPyrrhic Victory: Why I’m Ambivalent about Christians and Politics
A political victory can come at a cost that undermines its purpose. Using historical examples of pyrrhic victories, this essay considers Christians’ political influence and argues for infusing society with Christian values through faithful living, art, literature, and evangelism, so that legislation reflects convictions taking root in the wider culture.
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10 thoughts on “Pyrrhic Victory: Why I’m Ambivalent about Christians and Politics”
Hey Herb , Great Article. Terry Smith here, guy with long white beard that helped JR put on the IRON Sharpens IRON events in CA, and Nevada, I did all of the recording for the events. Really like your new direction with the Blog and the new media.
Hi, Terry. Great to hear from you! I have good memories of you and JR and our ministry together there in central CA and Nevada. And thanks for your encouraging words. It’s a new world out there since we last met, isn’t it? Though it’s been a challenge to adopt this new direction in ministry, it looks like it’s bearing fruit.
Blessings,
Herb
I have been following your blogs for several years and found them to be inspiring. I started a widows ministry 3years ago using Miriam Neff’s “Widow Connection” materials. The pastors of my church have been rather tepid in their response and remain uninvolved In spite of my numerous pleas and sharing your Information. I h a ve found that most other churches here In Casper Wyoming to have m uch the same response. I’m getting very frustrated and I’m sure they are getting tired of hearing from me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Linda Lensert
Widows of Faith Ministry
Hi, Linda. I’m good friends with Miriam Neff. She has some excellent material and I’m glad you’re using it. Sadly, though, the response you’re getting from your church is typical. If you would like me to come up and meet with you and your pastor (and anyone else) for lunch, I would be more than happy to do so. Also, I’m good friends with Brad Hopkins, the director of the rescue mission there in Casper. You might want to contact him as well. He might be able to set something up with other pastors in the area.
Know that I am available to help in any way I can.
Blessings,
Herb
Thank you for that information I will follow up on that. I will speak to the pastors and see if they are open to meeting with you. The response they keep giving me is that no men In the church have a “vision” for this ministry. They have allowed me the freedom these past 3 years to minister to widows and feel that is adequate. But this is only part of the church responsibility.
Sorry for posting that request on the wrong place on your website
Linda Lensert
You can post anywhere you want, Linda. Let me know how it goes with your pastors.
Herb
No doubt, simply passing laws or changing policies won’t get the job done. Law and public policy, however, do serve a vital role: the way nations conduct themselves matters to God. When abortions were occurring “in the shadows” in America it was a problem. That said, when the government of the land officially gave abortion its imprimatur, the situation worsened exponentially. Law, regulations, etc. furthermore provide a pedagogical function in a culture — what the government says is impermissible or permitted sends a message to citizens, and thus can play a role in conditioning their hearts and direct them toward repentance, righteousness, etc. (or toward licentiousness, corruption and the like.) Again, Christian influence in politics and government alone is not sufficient to rescue a darkening nation, but it ought to be a part of the picture. It’s one reason the “salt” of God’s people must permeate every part of a society — including the formulation of it’s laws, policies, etc.
Well said, Steve. I agree completely.
Yes the salt of Gods people must permeate every part of a society including the formulation of its laws, policies, etc. with their pedagogical function. It’s a practical way to bring stability if enough people support it. This pushes back against the wedge bringing instability into society, the idea that everyone has the right to think what they want to think, believe what they want to believe and do what they want to do, provided they don’t “hate.” This hate is apparent when you try to impose your world view on an individual or group by political or any other means. So hate is the only “sin” left. The evangelical challenge then, is to move love out of the murky undefined idea of “not hating.”
So, go NCMM, demonstrate that the “sin” of commanding people to love is no sin at all if it is “as I have loved you.” Experiencing this love and it’s resulting community is the main way people come to experience God. Simply pushing back politically against the sharp edge of the wedge likely risks a phyrric victory scenario that wastes resources, generates increasing bad will and stirs up the hate mud. Priority needs to be given to ministries like NCMM to spark an exponential reversal of the worsened situations faced now.
This is a very insightful reply, Greg. You’re right that the only sin left is hate and Christians are continually being pushed into that category. So it’s critical that we become known for the way we love – each other and the world. Hopefully, it’s not too late.
Again, thanks for participating in the conversation.
Herb