In several of these posts, I have been critical of social media (rightfully so, I might add!). However, I also try to highlight the strengths of social media (which are many!). Last week, as I was working on this particular post, I came across a retweet that took me on a wonderful exploration and discovery. The retweet was from Ed Stetzer. I first learned of Ed when I purchased his book Planting Missional Churches as I was beginning to prepare for the launch of Redwood. Ed is a church planter, pastor, professor and author. He retweeted Scotty Smith who is the Pastor Emeritus of a large Presbyterian church in Nashville, TN.
Scotty Smith’s tweet read:
“Politics will stop being our demon when politicians stop being our gods – NT Wright”
Obviously, the tweet caught my eye. But, if there is one thing I have learned about quotes and the Internet – one must verify the veracity of words attributed to another person! I was not familiar with NT Wright so I had to first learn who that was. Wright is an English Biblical scholar, theologian and Bishop in the Anglican church. I started searching and could not verify the quote.
On a whim, I found an e-mail address for Scotty Smith and sent him a message thanking him for his tweet and asking if he could provide a source for the quote. Within a few minutes, Smith responded! He sent me a link to a recent episode of Wright’s podcast. I replied to Smith with my deepest appreciation to him for making time to assist me. It was a really cool moment.
I began listening to the podcast and came across the quote to which the tweet referred. Wright’s words were slightly different than Smith’s recollection:
“The powers stop being demons when they stop being gods.”
I think both the original words as well as Smith's representation are both powerful.
The connection between politics and religion is as old a civilization itself.
Ancient Egypt is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s earliest civilizations. Archaeology has taught us a tremendous amount about their culture and customs. We have particularly learned a great deal about the Pharaohs. While Pharaohs were not deified, they were both the political and religious leaders of their people. More recently (relatively) the divine right of kings in medieval Europe gave monarchs unchecked power over their people.
The Declaration of Independence was a rejection of monarchy and absolutism. It argued that the purpose of government was to serve the people (rather than the people being subjects of a king or queen).
The beginning of the Ten Commandments reads:
“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You must have no other gods before me.
Do not make an idol for yourself—no form whatsoever—of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow down to them or worship them, because I, the Lord your God, am a passionate God.”
Exodus 20:2-5a
I have argued for a number of years now, that people on the extremes of the political spectrum put way too much faith in human institutions, specifically in government and elected officials. Politicians are placed on pedestals and are, at times, almost worshipped as though they were gods. I have witnessed this from politicians and proponents of both major American political parties.
I have also witnessed the demonization of politicians from opposing political parties and ideologues. In recent elections cycles, the demonization has extended to anyone associated with a particular candidate, including anyone who might vote for the person.
In an earlier post, I shared the scripture about removing the log from our own eye before we worry about the splinter in another’s eye.
In the letter of James, we find the following admonition:
“Brothers and sisters, don’t say evil things about each other. Whoever insults or criticizes a brother or sister insults and criticizes the Law. If you find fault with the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge over it. There is only one lawgiver and judge, and he is able to save and to destroy. But you who judge your neighbor, who are you?”
James 4:11-12
So where does all of this leave us?
For Christians, our faith is in God and God alone. God commands us that we are not to place any other person or entity equal with or above God. Jesus commands us to love God and love our neighbors.
Whether we are deifying or demonizing, we are acting contrary to God’s commands. We are conferring power that only rightfully resides with God.
I believe that we are called to be God’s light to a hurting and broken world. God’s light shines more brightly through us when we remove anger and bitterness that can obscure and obstruct.