Yesterday I received an email from someone in Transit who had heard the talk I gave on Ephesians 3:10.11. (The Manifold Wisdom of the Kingdom). I rarely get a question out of my talks like this one. It was such a great question that I had to post it. My response is italicized below, but I would love to have others weigh in as well. (I apologize this message from April 18th is not on line yet. It should be within the next week. We have been experiencing some technical difficulties)
"Good talk today. I'm curious of your thoughts on the intersection of justice and politics though... is there a transcendent position to be had, or do we merely separate along the same divisions with renewed certainty in our vision of what is good?"
My response
Thanks for the compliment. Now there's a million dollar question! If I had the answer to this question, I think I'd be on ALL the talk shows. I think the answer to your question is "Yes" and "Yes". How's that for being politically correct? I think there is a "Transcendent" conversation that needs to be engaged. If you read Bryan McLaren, Shane Claiborn, Greg Boyd or Tony Campolo, this is the conversation they are inviting people to have. Walter Wink, the author I referenced yesterday calls what you describe as "transcendence", a Third Way. A different, creative way to deal with and address suffering and injustice. One that is neither liberal or conservative, neither Republican or Democrat but the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. I think there's a mixed disposition on whether or not to separate along the same divisions. Some would argue that we need to impact the political "kingdom" in the same way we would impact any other kingdom. Like yeast or mustard seed. So they get involved because they want the kingdom to come within the party they support.
Others align or vote with candidates who they feel would help bring change in a particular area. For example, some who are Pro Life, will only vote for a candidate that is Pro-Life. However, others, realizing that Poverty is a MASSIVE factor in the number of abortions committed each year, may choose to align with a politician that is passionate about eradicating poverty because they feel reducing poverty may have a greater impact on abortion. There are some really good books that talk about this from a variety of perspectives.
All this to say... (as I stated yesterday), I feel we are really just beginning to find our way in this conversation and still so novice on so many fronts. I'm honored by your question but I'm not sure I have a black and white answer. I am glad you are engaging of the conversation though. Thanks for you question. Peace on your week.
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