The Moral Agenda: We All Got One

In an effort to quantify Christian belief and practice into something that finds play in the language of the political sphere of life, I find myself using the expression of a “moral agenda”.  What I mean by that is the drawing out of one’s faith into a ‘political platform’ of proposed laws, practices, and other impositions on life that come from the government. 

Some historic examples of the ‘moral agenda’ of the church include the call to Crusade from the papal authorities in the medieval period.  For the promise of forgiveness of sins and the promise of heaven, soldiers from kings on down were encouraged to go East to 'liberate the Holy Land’ from the Muslims.  God's forgiveness as a medium of exchange for political or economic ends came to a head at the moment of the Reformation over the purchases of indulgences.

When tax money is used to pay the salary of clergy, we have another application of the “moral agenda”.  Such things occurred in North America as well as England and elsewhere. 

Blue laws, where businesses are not permitted to open on Sundays because that is the day to go to church is another plank in a “moral agenda”.  A town that does not permit the sale of alcohol within its borders is another. 

We may be more familiar with the calls of Christian Nationalism that are going on here and in other countries.  Such movements often have an extremely thorough ‘moral agenda’ that is foundational to their movement.  Issues like abortion, sexual and gender identity, who gets to be married, and so on are often at the center of such agendas.

And explicitly Christian moral agendas can be at odds with one another.  Take the issue of abortion.  Certain Christians feel that a woman should lose control over her body at the moment of conception.  Other Christians feel that women should have complete autonomy over their bodies at all times.  Both come to these conclusions from their understanding of God's Word.  One group of Christians can then demonize another group for having the wrong moral agenda. 

I believe the blessing of our country is that it is deliberately founded as a secular nation.  That people of faith are free to practice their religions and to be informed by their beliefs in making moral and political choices.  The moral agenda is present, but implicit rather than explicit.  I am very much against any idea of this being a “Christian” nation.  Christian history of political authority runs red with blood.  And if we believe God is all-powerful, what Jesus-motivated reason could we have for wanting political authority?  Like God needs our help.  We would probably do better to obey God instead of always trying to help God along.

James said that our faith without works is dead.  I agree with that statement (which is probably good as I believe the Bible is God’s Word).  But how we do faithful work is something good Christians need to think about (to build a theology about).  Political power and its pursuit in the name of doing the work of faith is a place where I believe we need to tread very lightly.  Power and temptation and corruption are proven bed fellows across the world and throughout history.

Thinking in terms of a moral agenda, what I, as a person of faith, want to see put into political and legislative practice, is an important way for us to be clear in our faith and how we wish to see it work.  It is a good way for us to keep an eye on things when they are working badly or turned to sin. 

Peace,
Pastor Peter