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Few two-word combinations cause church leaders and Christians to tremble like the words “culture war.” However, we are still citizens of a constitutional Republic that requires our participation and support. This responsibility is a tension to be managed and not a problem to be solved. So, how should we think about our citizenship in changing times?
The wrong question is “Should we engage in or withdraw from a culture war?” The right question is, “How does the Christian Gospel affect the common good?”
In this two-part conversation, Ryan McCann (the Director of Operations and Public Policy at the Indiana Family Institute) and I discuss the important question of Christian citizenship in changing times. Here’s the outline:
- The Principles of Christian Citizenship – what does Scripture have to say about this?
- The Practice of Christian Citizenship – what does this look like in changing times?
- The Product of Christian Citizenship – what is the ultimate goal of Christian citizenship?
Key takeaways:
- Ryan McCann was in the front lines of the fight over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana, which drew national attention and a media firestorm. We briefly discuss the head-scratching misrepresentations about the law and what that means going forward.
- Ryan does a great job of connecting community impact and cultural engagement. For example, we discuss the question: “Are we good neighbors if we feed the poor but say nothing about the policies that created poverty in the first place?”
- Ryan notes that we (as the Church) do not have a well-thought out theology of government. Many Christians apply Scripture to the Roman imperial dictatorship rather than to the American constitutional Republic.
- “Christ is either Lord over all (areas of life) or Lord over none.” -Ryan. We are called to follow Christ in every area of life, including our citizenship.
- We dive into the question of how to be good stewards of our citizenship and good neighbors in our communities.
- Curt Smith, the President of IFI, has written a booklet titled, On Christian Citizenship, which addresses the Biblical standards for citizenship.
- We discuss the fascinating concept of a cultural conveyor belt. Culture used to send problems toward the church for resolution. Now, culture sends problems toward government for resolution. We need to reverse this.
Connect with Ryan:
http://www.hoosierfamily.org/
What are your thoughts on Christian citizenship in changing times? How should Christian faithfully apply their faith in public life?