Evangelism and Politics: A Christian Perspective on the Church and the State
By John C. Barrett (Wipf & Stock)
John Barrett, assistant professor of political science at LeTourneau University and former adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University, provides a short treatise on the relationship between Christians and government.
He begins with principles, the first being God’s sovereignty. Barrett sets God’s rule and reign as the ground of all Christian engagement in politics. Remaining principles include human depravity, distinguishing human government from God’s kingdom, the role of the church, and justice. Barrett’s elaboration of these principles and his grounding them in Scripture are reminiscent of the Baptist Faith and Message.
An intriguing argument Barrett makes is that a Christian’s obedience to God’s commands puts that person at risk and at a disadvantage in the political realm, because such obedience entails selfless and sacrificial love. Later, in Part Three, Barrett describes how a Christian in authority ought to govern in such love, though more might be said about how Christians seek and achieve authority—or power—in the first place.
In Part Two, on Christian obligations to the state, Barrett asserts “citizens are called to tolerate injustice from governments and other citizens.” This raises an interesting question. Christians in the United States have a long history of not tolerating injustice from government and other citizens. With respect to American democracy, Barrett asserts its foundational philosophy, derived from John Locke, finds no parallel in the Bible. Given Barrett’s principles and stated obligations, how should Christians in a democracy work for justice while also respecting those in authority? An answer to this question is outlined in the final part, where Barrett describes a Christian citizen.
Evangelism and Politics could serve as the outline for a longer study of Christian engagement in politics, such as in a Sunday school class or academic course.
Eric Black, executive director, publisher, editor
Baptist Standard
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