Mixing religion and politics has always been dangerous. Perhaps this is why some churches try to assume neutrality with respect to controversial political issues. These churches tout the fact that a wide range of political positions is possible in their community. While they hold this position, they remain ignorant of how their lack of clarity actually benefits certain political tendencies. This means that the real issue is not whether our churches support a specific position, but rather whether that political position is coherent with our walk with Christ. Christian faith decisions have always had political consequences. This is unavoidable. This was also true for the first Christians when they affirmed Christ as their Lord. In this way, they took a political stand against the Roman Empire since this title was reserved exclusively for the emperor. The consequence of making such a grand declaration of faith was the death penalty for many Christians. Something similar happened in the sixteenth century at the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. When Georg Blaurock (circa 1492-1529) requested the help of Conrad Grebel to carry out his decision to be baptized as an adult in January 1525, it meant going against the laws and policies of his time to remain true to his spiritual conviction. Georg Blaurock decided to rearrange his life based on his faith convictions, despite the legal and political consequences that his decisions implied. The above painting by Oliver Wendell Schenk (1972) portrays Georg Blaurock holding a Bible and looking ahead as if into the future. Years later he was executed for his choices. Unfortunately, the history of our churches teaches us that our political decisions have not always been coherent with our faith. As we celebrate Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday, may we reflect on the current polarization and increasing nationalism around the world and ask God to guide us in our political decisions so that they may be coherent with our choice to follow Christ. Today, just as our forebears in the faith have done, may we look to the future through the lenses of our spiritual convictions irrespective of the consequences that this may bring. |
