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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

For the first time in three decades, socially conservative Christians find themselves in a dramatically changed political environment: outside in the cold, so to speak. No more easy access to the Oval ...

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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?

Joe	Posted: February 11, 2009 11:03 AM

For Bro. Donald in Iowa, you made a bold statement that Mr. Obama is a follower of Christ. What is the evidence? I have not heard much from what he said or did that is consistent with your statement. He goes to church, but that does not make him a believer, especially in his particular circumstance. I am not saying this as a criticism, but as an honest question. I like to hear Mr. Obama share his salvation testimony or live out his Biblical beliefs in his policies and actions, not just in his speeches.

James Hofford

Posted: February 11, 2009 9:51 AM

While Chuck Colson's opening views may irritate many supporters of President Obama-- who is well known for considering other viewpoints --Colson neverthless focuses not on targeting political clout at the White House but on rebuilding relationships within our "faith communities." As a Christian conservative who has created Christ centered communities in prison, he knows how many still live in prisons of their own making. He knows that the most effective national lobbying for any Bible based belief is to live one's faith, to share one's faith. At home or away! To quote this master of evangelism: ..."live in such a way that the world sees a difference in our lives."

James Hofford

Posted: February 11, 2009 9:49 AM

How refreshing and how wonderfully convicting! Chuck Colson's essay, "On Political Exile" may irritate some Obama backers at first, but no Christian conservatives should rejoice over any White House policy to promote abortion rights. However, Colson is not focusing on the political clout of lobbying Christians. He is promoting the movement that begins "not from the top down but from the bottom up." He is calling on each believer to build faith communities.."to reach across denominational lines...to put our faith into action--to "live in such a way that people will see a difference in our lives." Amen and amen.

Anne	Posted: February 09, 2009 9:44 PM


I took great comfort in Colson's words and am surprised at the ferocity of so many of the comments. I wonder how many of his critics, who claim to care so much for the poor and outcast, have spent time ministering to prisoners behind bars. Supporting ever larger government programs can serve as a convenient way of assauging one's guilt for not being directly involved in serving the poor.

Keith

Posted: February 09, 2009 1:00 PM

It's alawys more distrubing to read the reader's comment than the article itself. I am not a religious right, and I don't agree everything Chuck Colson write about , yet I still pay my respect about his life after his conversion, and about the work he has done on the prision ministry. I found out many of the reviewers of this article, especially those on the "left" side, have gone too far, and is more interested on demonizing whatever Chuck (or whatever not on their side) stand for than really think about what can be done to incorporating both spectrum into God's mission. After reading the vicious words from the comments, I fear we Christians are going to make the same mistake as the Religious right had in the past.

andy tucker

Posted: February 07, 2009 6:30 PM

Dear christianity today, BAPTIST,sanctified christians!!!!!!!!!! Praise GREAT GOD. Amen!! I think that the jer. scripture maybe wrong.maybe meant take care of our selves or immediate christian familes. God loves and wants to guide. Just take time out. And he will probably talk to you. I want to help the world. By studying. collecting foods,animal milks,even brains,oils and waste. Put the stuff in boxes,plastic bowls ,jars. study and give to the sick people in the world. Christians should study fighter chemicals. Thank you for your time! Psalms 99:9. col 3:11. 1 corinth 14:26. gal 3:3. Amen!

Richard B

Posted: February 07, 2009 2:41 PM

The problem is Mr. Colson is the last gasp of a dying movement and error. That the job of the church is not to preach the Gospel but the works of the law in vain attempt to transform sinful society. Both conservative and liberal congregations are guilty of this. The churches’ mission is not to transform society rather than to preach Christ transforming the individual bringing the person into His kingdom through the Gospel rightful proclaimed and the Sacrament rightfully administer. Once nourished in our Churches by God Grace though word and sacrament, then we can go out though our daily vocation can influence others for the betterment of our society. Christian can be involved in Conservative politics, but our daily vocations outside must never replace the responsibilities inside the church to word and sacrament. Another way to put it, as we grow in Gods grace though word and sacrament we can be better prepared with great discernment in our daily vocations including politics

Jimk022

Posted: February 07, 2009 1:13 PM


If Mr. Colson is right about needing to repent of idolatry, I think and believe the number one idolatry of which the Christian Right must repent is the idolatry of political power and illusion of building a Christian society. Christ's Great Commission is disciple making not power broking.

Andrew

Posted: February 07, 2009 10:54 AM

The evangelical political right-wing agenda didn't work except to drive a deeper wedge between Christians and the rest of society. We need to re-think our strategy. Consider the examples in Scripture. Joseph was given special gifts by God that he used for the benefit of an unbeleiving culture in Egypt. He was NOT made Pharaoh, but served him willingly and with a whole heart as second highest in the land. Similarly, Daniel chose to serve Nebuchadnezzar, a polythiest, with a willing heart with the gifts God gave him for the benefit of a godless society. He did NOT replace Nebuchadnezzar, even during the 7 years of madness, but served him as second in command. We do not need to capture the White House in order to serve God and be a blessing to the country. Just serve God with the gifts He has given you with a whole heart for the purpose of being a blessing to others.

Above Treeline in Colorado

Posted: February 07, 2009 10:45 AM

The slaughter of the innocents in the gazillion sorties over Afghanistan and Iraq. The slaughter of morality in the torturing of prisoners. The slaughter of the lest of these in the slaughter of the unborn (and the born). The slaughter of what is pure, right and beautiful in the advocating of the 'gays.' Daniel's parade of the nations, the parade of death, marches on, no matter the party in office.

Sherwood Hall

Posted: February 07, 2009 10:13 AM

I think Cal Thomas is closer to the mark. Mr. Colson's choice of scripture is very appropriate but it applies to all, not just the 'right'. Political parties leaning to both left and right are causing us to lose our souls. Both strive for power; the right through a particularly vicious game of monopoly and the left through the thinly disguised march to marxism. Both will leave the majority of us as slaves. Do we identify ourselves first as followers of Christ or as members of a particular political party or social movement? What do our bumper stickers say about us? To which organizations do we give our time and treasure? What do we talk to our children about more: politics or the saving blood of Jesus? I believe that our time is short and this age is drawing quickly to a close. We must choose this day... who will we serve?

der	Posted: February 07, 2009 8:57 AM

Colson and others hopefully will understand the lie of Satan that has caused division in the kingdom of God by the association of "liberal" and "conservative." Where is the scripture mandate for any association of learners of Christ other than Christians. Christians like Colson and others spend so much time arguing liberalism and conservatism that the lost, hungry, thirsty, himeless, etc. are not even on their radar. I just find it hard to believe that Colson could imply that since his political clout has been taken away, he will do the work of a christian. Not to say that his prison ministry has not been adding souls to the kingdom. I am saying that it seems that whether its evangelicals or liberals, playing politics have become more important than kingdom work.

Dan	Posted: February 06, 2009 11:13 PM

In reading Mr. Colson's article the first time, it seemed that much of what he wrote fell into Mr. Thomas' admonition to be the church. I think the illustration of what Prison Fellowship is doing is a good example of doing what the church is supposed to do: There is a calling of people to faith in Jesus Christ, and then the work of leading them on in responsible Christian disipleship (I trust that is a fairly accurate idea of what happens in Prison Fellowship). I think we could profit from Francis Schaffer's words in 'How Should We Then Live?", and from John and Charles Wesley's example. Francis Schaffer wrote that there are secondary effects of (proclaiming) the gospel. People come to Christ, but then, in secondary effects, society is changed. But the first focus is proclaiming the gospel. It has been said that England was averted a blood-bath because of the work of the Wesley's. They strove to proclaim the gospel and establish the church.

Philip

Posted: February 06, 2009 7:53 PM

As conservative Christian evangelicals we do need to realize that we are never going to SPIRITUALLY change our nation or world through politics - even if we do manage to regain political clout to elect like-thinking politicians, to enact more faith-inspired laws, these things will NOT change people's hearts! As well, evangelicals often seem to mostly stay in their own safe little worlds amongst like-thinking believers. But how can we effectively follow the Great Commission without engaging the culture and developing relationships with non-believers? I think about this often with my son and public schools - at 10 he is a determined believer and every school day has an opportunity to be a great influence to so many kids who aren't Christians or from Christian homes. HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BE FILLED WITH CHRISTIAN INFLUENCES IF SO MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO HOME SCHOOL THEIR KIDS???

P.	Posted: February 06, 2009 3:54 PM

The ultra-conservatives have no one but themselves to blame for their fall from power. The public in general, and large numbers of Christians in particular, have rejected the extremism of Colson, Dobson, Falwell, James Kennedy, Robertson, etc. These men damaged Christianity's credibilty by getting involved in politics (allegedly in the name of Christ). Cal Thomas is right; if we truly want to positively impact society, then we have to do it by spreading the Gospel.

Gregory Peterson

Posted: February 06, 2009 2:44 PM

So, Mr. Colson's Prison Fellowship is really about recruiting people for an exclusive, authoritarian religious movement and not actually about rehabilitation and support? I'm so shocked. Wilberforce and Ashley-Cooper were about respect for the human dignity of everyone and religious toleration. The religious right, as Colson states here in his usual Orwellian way, is about disrespecting the human dignity of the "not us," the exclusion, discrimination and segregation, if not outright fantasies of an ethnic cleansing of the Gay community and others (such as with the ex-Gay movement and Rapture theology), and the preaching of intolerance at every turn. If faith base organizations will take GLBT tax money, they will hire and serve GLBT people as well. Otherwise, they're sort of thieves, aren't they? Low birth rates likely can be changed with policies for work flexibility/job security and encouraging more 'change diapers and vacuum floors' dad participation.

Jill	Posted: February 06, 2009 1:45 PM


Our right to discrimnate taken away? The possibility that we may have to make compromises with those we disagree with? I had no idea my Christian values were in such dire peril! Thanks for the heads up Mr. Colcon.

Wil	Posted: February 06, 2009 1:35 PM


@ Matt, With all due respect, don't be idiotic.

Suzanne W. Pantzer

Posted: February 06, 2009 1:11 PM


Basically, if my research is correct, the concern about Title VII of the Civil Rights Act adding sexual orientation is only an issue because faith-based organizations are receiving money from the government. I know Mr. Colson personally from working 5 years with him, and he is a brilliant man. So it doesn't jive with me that he isn't endorsing separation of Church and state.

JohnW

Posted: February 06, 2009 12:57 PM


There is very little about the "the religious right" that is christian or Christ-like, so I hope it does go into exile. Chuck, to paraphrase your buddy Grover Norquist, I don't want to see the religious right destroyed, I just want to see it shrunk down to the size that it could be drowned in a bathtub.

Peter

Posted: February 06, 2009 11:04 AM

Movements are built from the bottom up; this defines the organization and success of the Obama campaign. One might imagine all who were on the Mall for the Inauguration as representing the number of volunteers who made the campaign work. Modern American evangelical Christianity, to the degree that it remains in the grip of the cult of personality, combined with unhinged individualism, can only hope and pray to imitate what the Obama campaign did. Of course, the church's witness, qua church, is always more powerful, or more true, rather, outside the halls of power. Mr. Colson, things ain't as bad as they seem.

A Hermit

Posted: February 06, 2009 11:03 AM

From Colson's comments, 'conservative' Christians are only concerned with abortion and homosexuality. Thus, 'conservative' Christians can ignore Jesus clear teachings on 'economics', and the absolute condemnation 'you cannot serve God and mammon.[money]' The underlying pervasive sins in our society are materialism, greed, power and lust for worldly power. This society serves money (profit). The good news of Jesus is even perverted into the 'prosperity gospel', where becoming 'Christian' means a ticket to material wealth. Becoming 'Christian' is not the same as becoming 'Christ's'- voting against homosexuality and abortion alone while supporting billions on weapons of mass destruction, corporate tax cuts, and 'illegal unjust wars' doesn't necessarily further God's kingdom on earth. Colson stains out the gnat to swallow the camel. Go, American empire!

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