I was not expecting extensive discussions about social, cultural, and political issues from the book Ain’t Too Proud to Beg. During this political season, I was intrigued by the author’s ideas about patriotism, politics, and christian identity.
Although the country is split ideologically between liberals and conservatives, he says, “both of these cultures are essentially patriotic,” and, “both sides see political activism as the measure of social and individual identity - including religious identity.”
Partisan politics’ ability to drive a sword right through the Church shows the power it has overs us. The campaigns are telling us that politics is what matters in America and America is what matters in politics.
For the election to matter, we have to believe our lives, finances, civil liberties, and national pride are insecure and ultimately depend on this candidate.
Voting out of our own fears or our own dreams does what Jesus refused to do. It puts our own agenda ahead of the Father’s. We must resist the reflex in politics to become our own saviors.
Politicians try to use the word “hope,” but they can’t bring hope in the Christian sense at all.
However, the author is not encouraging withdrawal or inactivity, but rather reminding us to not lose our focus.
Christian power is not cultural power, cultural powerlessness, nor countercultural power. It is eschcatological power.
Eschatological power comes from above the world of principalities and powers. It is not defined in terms of anything but the God whose purpose is accomplished through it. It is neither worldly nor otherworldly, but eternal.
