How should we as the church be involved in society and politics?

Some think we should boldly re-assert Christian laws and heritage in this "Christian land". But, like it or not, Christendom has passed and our society more closely reflects the situation of those to whom Peter writes that we are "aliens and strangers" in a "pagan" world. Ours is an increasingly pluralist society.

Others think we should not be involved in politics at all. They believe that as citizens of God's kingdom we should abstain from "worldly affairs". The "sacred" gospel should not mix with "secular" government.

But this detached view doesn't square with reality. For no Christian can consistently maintain that one shouldn't get involved in government issues whilst, say, vilifying the water tax or battling over reform in post-primary education. A little honesty shows there are political issues on which all of us take an active stance, be it only at the ballot box. Reality demonstrates that society and politics affect us and that we want to affect them, although all too often this is only when it hits us personally.

Can we with integrity say that there are areas of life that are sacred, which God is interested in, and other areas that are secular, in which we express our vested interest? Are we aliens and strangers at some points, yet living with the pagans at others?

Surely there is no time when the Christian is not a Christian and can put aside the values of the Kingdom of God. There is no area of life where the Spirit is not the Spirit and is thus disinterested. When is the Church not the Church? Never.

This is Peter's message to us. The Church has two full-time characteristics. It is both alien in the world and yet among the world to witness for God. There are no spheres which lie beyond the interest of the Church. It operates everywhere seeking to embody the "alien" values of the Kingdom of God.

Christian citizenship cannot reflect the same attitude as the loyalists who painted an orange line around their estate, retreating into defensive separation. Whilst we are not of the world - the values of God's Kingdom are radically different - we are in the world, for the world, and a witness to the world (that "they may see your good deeds and glorify God"). We are not called merely to defend Christian values in our private territory, but be the church in the public square.

The Church has a prophetic role - not detachment but engagement. This does not mean moralising or seeking to legislate our values over an unwilling majority; nor justifying worldly values with spurious theology. It means engaging with society through its institutions and policy-makers, seeking to speak and live the truth in love and with justice - "living such good lives among the pagans".

This challenges all of us in at least two ways. First, we are all too eager to engage on particular issues that hit home - for example, the water rates and grammar schools. But are our views really motivated by Kingdom values or by worldly self-interest?

And second, given that kingdom values affect every area of life on earth, what are the big issues and the more useful and public ways to put forward the values of the Kingdom in society, for the benefit of the world and the glory of God?
Recent research from the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland indicates a lack of engagement between churches and government policy-makers in Northern Ireland. We must not let ourselves be perceived as those who only speak up in defence of our private morality. We are in the public square - for our own sake, but for the sake of the world.

Ben Walker

The final report from the Centre's recent research project “The Future of the Church in the Public Square” is available. Please e-mail research@contemporarychristianity.org.