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by James B. Jordan

James B. Jordan is the director of Biblical Horizons ministries, Box 1096, Niceville, FL 32588, and has written extensively on the dynamics of Church and society.

The sirens of politics lure Christians in a political age, but must be resisted in the interest of maintaining focus on the greater powers given to the Church. All power has been given to Christ as King, and the keys to that power have been given to the Church. Power and influence come when the presence of Christ is maximized in the Church, and then in society. The goal is the creation of people who walk powerfully, shining forth Kingdom influences wherever they go.

When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes his enemies to be at peace with him. Joseph's Pharaoh knew that the old bread and the old wine were no good, and threw his Baker and Cupbearer into prison. God was working on Pharaoh, though Joseph knew it not. When Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he did not accommodate his message at all, but challenged Pharaoh's gods in the name of the One True God. Joseph became the Baker (overseeing the grain) and the Cupbearer (Gen. 44:2). Pharaoh found satisfaction in new words, a new person, and new bread and wine, and Egypt became a theocracy. What God did then, He can do today, if He is pleased with us.

To please God, do as He says, first in worship, for worship on the first day is the center of the Christian life and the center of the creation. Worship is our first act of obedience, our "amen" to God's Person, Word, and Gifts. The Church is the center and alpha form of the Kingdom, and its nursery. What we are discipled to do in Church is what we carry into society. Does Christ give Himself in His Word? Then maximize the Word in worship. Provide Bible exposition, not rhetorical sermons. Sing psalms, all of them. Read them responsively first, then sing them. Does Christ give Himself in communion? Then do it every week. Pharaoh knew he needed new bread and wine; too often we act as if we don't. Does Christ give Himself through "one anothering"? Then make sure true discipline and community exist in the Church.

In the meantime, view politics as an arena primarily of witnessing, of proclaiming the Kingship of Christ. Use every available arena, old parties and new. There is a need for Elijahs to stand outside the big parties and cry for repentance, but there is also a need for Obadiahs to stand near Ahab in order to preserve prophets alive in caves. Elijah and Obadiah had diametrically opposite but equally God-given methods, and recognized each other as complements (1 Kings 18:1-15).

Thus, some Christians should work through third parties and others in both mainline parties. But we should expect lasting results only from the reformation of the Church. To look to politics for solutions to social problems is idolatry.

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