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Christianity Today, February, 2009 |

Political Exile

A strategy for social conservatives in a socially liberal era.

Charles Colson with Anne Morse | posted 2/05/2009 08:50AM

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We may feel outnumbered, but we must not abandon our cultural commission to bring Christian truth to all of life. Remember, despite the liberal landslide in November, three states passed referendums banning same-sex marriage—something that would not have happened without a mighty effort from religious believers. This shows that if we are winsome advocates of righteousness—as William Wilberforce and Anthony Ashley-Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, were 200 years ago in England—we will continue to influence our neighbors for good, political access notwithstanding.

Finally, we must remember that in the days of Jeremiah, God exiled his people so that they would repent of their idolatry. Many Christians today have bought into the consumerist culture; we have many false idols. Only when we turn from those will we learn what it truly means to worship him.

So yes, some of us may lack political clout for a season. But we do not lack the promises of a sovereign God who wants to bring us back to himself—faithful, clear-eyed followers who persevere, no matter the circumstances, in doing his work.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous columns by Charles Colson are available on our website.

Christianity Today also has more on politics in a special section and on a blog.

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February 2009, Vol. 53, No. 2

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Dale	Posted: February 12, 2009 11:47 AM

Thanks for the article. As far as it went I was pleased with this article but the denial of our own lust for power in the Bush years which caused us to rely on our political standing instead of Biblical principles sickens me. Because of our commitment to a couple of Biblical principles we have failed to demonstrate even a modicum of humility or show the ultimate to those who disagree with us, Biblical love. Our dogmatism has and President Bush's stuborn pride has cost us immeasurably as believers in Christ. If we are exiled it is our fault. God resists the proud. I pray for President Obama to continue his journey to lead a nation of various religions of which we are one--an ineffective one because we are so proud, pushy and beligerent. God help us to recognize our mean spirits and submit to His guidance regarding owning our own poop.

lmwal931

Posted: February 11, 2009 6:40 PM


we should be nice. i love pro-life liberals. i love conservative pro-life people. we have a right to follow GOD as we are called. sometimes arch liberals and arch conservatives go too far amiss. but if you believe 50 million babies created by our FATHER'S hand aint enough and viciously aborted, shame.

Ken	Posted: February 11, 2009 1:04 PM


Doesn't left-wing political liberalism incorporate immoral and anti-Christian, ungodly views? If so, how can one be a Christian and a liberal?

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