the secularization of social assistance

Cezanne, "The Bay from L'Estaque"

The fourth in last question raised in my prior post, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Car Loans" was this: what should the church's response be to the secularization of social assistance programs?

First, we the church ought to call for authentic diversity. False diversity says this: "Any view is okay, as long as it doesn't make claims impinging on the rights of any other view." This is why a Bhuddist like Wayne Dyer can appear in government-funded PBS specials but a Christian cannot. True diversity, on the other hand, says this: "The free market of ideas should be just that: free for everyone."

Second, we the church ought to engage our communities in practical ministry. The biggest social problems are not financial but relational. Who is better positioned than the church to meet these relational needs? We just need to make time for it and get started.

Third, we the church ought to be raising public policy questions. Is it right that Planned Parenthood gets privileged government status but that Right to Life Groups do not? Are massive government social welfare programs helping the poor, or hurting them?

Let's not be embarrassed by our Christian commitment but rather live out this commitment with both tenacity and grace. This Sunday's New Testament reading, 11 Cor. 5:6-17 includes these words: "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." May our love, good deeds, and words persuade our family, friends, and acquaintances that we have indeed been touched by a righteousness that is truly wonderful, even as displayed through our own flawed expressions.

compassion and entitlement

The third question I raised in my post "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Car Loans" was this: Have we confused government-sponsored welfare with the Christian virtue of compassion?

Yes.

What? . . . Well alright then, three simple points to justify my answer:

1) Deficit spending is not compassionate because it is stealing from our grandchildren.
2) Financial support ought to be coupled with relational accountability, something the government is not equipped to provide.
3) A government which engages in transferring wealth soon corrupts itself.

Last week the television program "Frontline" noted that at current spending levels Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will consume over 100% of the federal budget at current growth rates by 2050. This is not compassionate: it is irresponsible.

I long to see America return to her former greatness. I want a government that restrains evil and commends the common good. Can't we just eliminate these entitlements? Not practical. But why not say, "We can only do what we can afford."

Is this to say that rugged individualism is the only Christian way? No, but it may well be the most compassionate way forward for America.

Christians and Government

The second question I raised about Christians and government in "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Car Loans" is this: What does the Bible teach, if anything, about the proper role of believers and churches in terms of their participation in civic governance?

I found a very insightful essay that addresses this question entitled "Christians and Government". It's written by a statistician named Darrell Dow. A statistician who can write is a beauty to behold and a joy forever.

After reading the article here are my key takeaways:

• We must remember as believers that governance takes place within several concentric spheres with the most important one being governance of ourselves as individuals. From here comes the focus and power to be redemptive agents of influence in our other spheres of influence.
• The State as an absolute sovereign is a myth: God is sovereign over all.
  
• We are called as believers and as the church to work together for the good of our respective countries.

No single group of people can bless a country as can a group of Christians who are following Jesus in loving obedience together.

biblical teaching on government

What does the Bible really teach about government? I found two resources on the web tonight that seemed worthy to share. The first is Pastor Jim Fowler's topical outline of the Bible's teaching on government. The second is another outline on the Bible and government at a web site called Faith Facts.

This is not to suggest that we can simply commend biblical teaching to a diverse citizenship. Yet what we can do is make appeals to truth and the common good. For example, is it not clear that government is intended to do certain things but not others? For example, government is intended to restrain evil and commend good, but it is not intended to run automobile companies.

The UAW has been given General Motors and Chrysler. Let them make these firms profitable, or let them fail, but I am not interested in seeing any more of my tax dollars wasted.