The Biblical Foundations Of The Political Parties

People will often point out to me that a particular Bible passage I use to demonstrate one idea or point contradicts a point I made regarding some other issue elsewhere. In my book CONVERSATIONAL THEOLOGY (shameless plug) I argue that it is misguided to look for one overarching Biblical position on any matter, but that instead we must recognize that the Bible contains several positionS on any particular issue, and these positions enter into a conversation on those issues. The reader then enters creatively into the conversation, guided by their own relationship with God, and working out what they believe in 'fear and trembling'.

Christians today are often split on political issues. Each side claims Biblical support for their political ideologies. Both accuse the other side of ignoring the 'true' Biblical message. But in truth, there are two primary political theologies at work in scripture. Various writers take different positions on what our attitude towards politics and government should be. The split is rooted in differing attitudes found in the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, which Israel broke up into.

In the North, the Davidic monarchy lost power and there were no established dynasties afterwards. Kingship was established by revolution and religious calling. And the tribal system, which dominated before the monarchy was established, had greater influence and was looked upon with greater fondness and nostalgia.

Of course the division on politics predates the national split. Many saw the excesses and sins of the early monarchy as proof that God had judged the monarchy as sinful. In the south the Davidic line endured for a remarkably long time. There the monarchy was experienced as a revelation of the Divine. The Book of Judges primarily paints a monarchy as a violation of Gods desire to be sole king over Israel. That is, until the last few chapters which paint the evils that took place during the tribal period as the result of there being no king to ensure Gods will was followed. 1 Samuel gives two different accounts of the establishment of the monarchy. One paints that event as the result of rebellion against God. The other paints it as the completion of the Divine plan.

The prophets took various positions on whether political power is of divine origin or a temptation away from the sovereignty of God. Isaiah represents the first group, Micah the second. This conversation continues into the Old Testament, with the Gospels painting all political power as deriving from the devil, and Paul stating that it derives from God. The conversation centers on this question: "can political power be a tool for God? Or is the power itself so corruptive that it can't ever be such a tool?"

The truth is that BOTH political ideologies have their beginnings in the sacred history of Israel and the early church. And we cannot just reduce THE Biblical position on the matter to the one or the other. I would maintain that Biblical movements are grounded in a genuine religious experience or insight. To ally with one side or the other is a faithful move. So is finding some kind of middle ground, which I think we generally should do. The points I want to make are as follows: nearly every theological split in the church can be traced back to a similar BIBLICAL plurality. Biblical truths are conversational, not monological. The second point I want to make is that we shouldn't stand in religious judgment of our political opponents. Both sides read the same Bible, they just focus on different parts.

Readings:
"Anti-Political Passages": Judges 8:22-23, 1 Samuel 8:1-9:2, Micah 3:8-12, Matthew 4:7-10

"Pro-Political Passages":  Deuteronomy 17:14-20, Judges 17:1-18:31, 1 Samuel 9:14-26, 2 Samuel 7:8-17, Isaiah 7:1-25, Romans 13:1-7