Theopolis Part I

The question we left off with essentially was how does Jesus and church stuff fit in with the world in which we live? Actually, that is the purpose for this blog. Typically this can be quite a touchy issue. Afterall Religion and Politics are BIG no-nos for parlor-party-public discussion. Both are typically passionate issues that tend to be private, apple-of-the-eye areas.

Interestingly, you like I, perhaps made the unconscious leap from Jesus and society to Jesus and politics. Actually for me it wasn't unconscious but intential to present an observation or two. In our time and place in the world people, especially the up and coming generations, are quite passionate, waiting for "their cause" to vehicle their idealism. Politics is an accepted venue in which to carry that out. Thus, I have perhaps, unwittingly, bifurcated my audience into older and younger readers. For the older readers, politics is a private matter ... except for the news broadcasters and very close friends. For the younger readers politics is a ship of adventure to be caught on the way to changing the world. For these people politics involves more than holding office itself.

The second observation follows from the first. Many (mostly older people) see the Jesus and church stuff as matters of very private concern; something to be kept separate from every other sphere of life ... especially those areas which involve habitual contact with other people. Many others (mostly the younger) see the Jesus and church stuff as value laden, which can impact the world. The problem with the younger people is that many of them see the Jesus value system as one of many different options out there at different times.

Taken together, the umbrella point covering these observations is that Scripture teaches that Jesus is to be lord over every area of the disciple's life. There is no area of anyone's life that is inherently private, for any one area of one's life touches every area of that one's life. Likewise, there is no one person who is completely detached from the society in which he lives. In some form or fashion, he is connected to the community. Thus, even the "private" areas of his life touch the public areas of the lives of those in his community. Therefore, there is no such thing as a private Jesus. Jim Wallis, one who I respect but sorely disagree with on most socio-political issues, rightly says, "Christianity is deeply personal but never private."

That being said, the individual who follows Jesus lives within a larger community ... and the interaction of being a devote Christian within society is certainly a topic of concern. And ... living in society involves the interaction of many individuals and many different groups of individuals. Therefore, the regulation of that interaction ... which is essentially the nature of politics ... is of important concern for anyone in that society ... especially the Christian.

Thus, I've entitled this series of posts Theopolis (which might be Greek for God-city). I want explore some issues of Christianity and society (especially politics). Many will disagree with my conclusions. Many will agree with my conclusions. Many will agree and disagree. But hey, let's have fun with respect for one another along the way.