From time to time, inquiries are received from our readers relative to the position of the Christian in the world. To what extent may the followers of Christ involve themselves in the affairs of this life? What is the Scriptural basis for refusal of Christadelphians to run for public office; or even to vote for such offices? Are our ideas on separation archaic or old fashioned? What is there about worldly politics that makes it inconsistent with our walk before Christ? It is hoped that this series of articles from the Tidings Staff may help in clarifying our position in relation to the state, and, perhaps, consolidate the views of many Christadelphians on this vital subject.
Christadelphians have, from their inception as a body agreed and witnessed to the fact that participation in politics is to be shunned by believers. This position (as far as it is known) has been held inviolate by all. In recent years, however, there have been instances where a few individuals have questioned just what “participation in politics” really means. The questions posed above are vital to our ecclesial life, and must needs be answered clearly and Scripturally to promote Truth and harmony among our members. It is also necessary that our young people, our Sunday School scholars and those whom we endeavor to teach the way of righteousness, should be knowledgeable and conversant with what God expects of His people.
From the writings of our pioneer brethren and those who were responsible for compiling our “Constitution” and ”Doctrines to be rejected,” it appears very clear that they intended to convey the idea of complete abstinence from any form of involvement in politics. Under “Doctrines to be rejected,” appended to the Constitution, numbers 35 and 36 read, “We reject the doctrine—that we are at liberty to serve in the Army, Navy, Police Force, or any service whatsoever requiring the Oath of Allegiance or use of force. We reject the doctrine—that we are at liberty to take part in politics, or recover debts by legal coercion.” As a suitable introduction to this series, consider what Bro. Robert Roberts wrote on this subject in “Christendom Astray”:
“If there is anything characteristically ‘of the world,’ it is politics, whether in the exercise or the discussion of temporal power and its forms. It is written: The kingdoms of this world are, to become (at Christ’s return) the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.’ Consequently, the kingdoms are meanwhile of this world. In modern usage ‘kingdom’ his become ‘State,’ because the political form of the State varies. Where is the church in relation to the State? The alliance of the church with the State is of itself a sufficient illustration of the departure of Christendom from the commandments of Christ.
“What is to be done in such a state of things by the man earnestly seeking to be the servant of Christ, and desiring to be found of him at his coming, in the attitude of a chase and loyal bride, preparing for marriage? Common sense would supply the answer if it were not plainly given to us by God Himself: “Come out from among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty’ (2 Con 4:17-18). The questions with which Paul prefaces this quotation strike home the reasonableness of this command at a blow: “what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial: or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?’ The believer of the gospel has no alternative but to step aside from the world. He cannot otherwise carry out the will of Christ concerning those whom he asks for his own. What this stepping aside from the world means, there need be no difficulty in the earnest man determining for himself. Christ and the Apostles have in themselves furnished an example which we are invited to imitate (I Peter 2:21; John 13:15; 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:1; 4:17).
“It does not mean seclusion: for they lived an open daily public life. It does not mean isolation: for they are always seen among men. It means abstinence from the aims and principles of the world, and from the movements and enterprises in which these find expression. The activities of Christ and the apostles were all in connection with and on behalf of, the work of God among men. They never appear in connection with the enterprises of the world.
“The sense in which they stand apart from the world is in the objects for which they work, and in the use to which they put the time and means which they call “their own.” They are to “follow after (works of) righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’ (2 Tim. 2:22) . . . And as men waiting and preparing for the kingdom of God (whose citizenship is in heaven, and not upon the earth) they accept the position of “strangers and pilgrims among men. They are not at home:
they are passing on. They take no part with Caesar. They pay his taxes and obey his laws where they do not conflict with the laws of Christ; but they take no part in his affairs.
“They do not vote; they do as’, the suffrages of his supporters; they do not aspire to Caesar’s honors or emoluments; they do not bear arms. They are sojourners in Caesar’s realms during the short time God may appoint for their probation; and as such, they sustain passive and non-resisting attitude, bent only upon earning Christ’s approbation at his cooling, by their obedience to his commandments during his absence. They are not of the world, even as he was not of the world, and therefore they refuse to be conformed to it. The way is narrow and full of self-denial—too much so for those who would like to perform the impossible feat of ‘making the best of both worlds.’ But the destination is so attractive, and the results of the cross bearing so glorious, that the enlightened pilgrim deliberately chooses the journey, and resolutely endures its hardships.” (unquote)
From this quotation from Bro. Robert’s writings, four facts emerge:
- True sonship in the sight of God is contingent upon a marked separation from the world.
- Jesus Christ and the apostles illustrated in a most practical way what separation from the world involves.
- Separation does not mean isolating one’s self from society; but rather keeping himself from the evil in that society.
- As those who wait for the Kingdom of God, the followers of Christ assume the position of strangers and pilgrims; thus they do not participate in voting, going to law, engaging in warfare, or in any way taking advantage of the rights that a State confers upon its citizens, when such action is injurious to others.
This attitude of the children of God (being in fact, the mind of Christ) is the natural result of the operation of the commandments of the Lord upon their hearts and minds. They have altered their whole concept of moral values and have changed their aims and objectives in this life. Being now “strangers and pilgrims” in the land, the followers of Christ take no part in the world’s affairs but work towards the approbation of Christ at his appearing and his kingdom.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One