Mon
Jul
04
2005

Christianity and politics

Some people complain when Christians stand up and speak out about matters of public interest or concern – a recent example is the issue of detention of illegal immigrants.
They mumble about the separation of church and state – even though there is nothing in our constitution that speaks of such a thing.
It’s often said that Christians “aren’t qualified” to speak on such matters, and that we should go back to our churches and their medieval ways…

So all of a sudden, how come it’s OK for politicians to speak on matters that they aren’t really qualified to judge? Like theology.

This morning’s Sydney Morning Herald has this article about Bob Carr and a whole bunch of other politicians attending/speaking at the Hillsong annual conference being held this week at the Superdome.

Read the whole piece, but here’s a quote from Bob Carr to whet your appetite. He’s reflecting on the style and content(?) of Hillsong churches:

“I like the idea of Christianity shorn of its medieval accretions. I like the idea of each believer reading the Bible and finding his or her path to individual salvation. I also like the spontaneity and informality of Hillsong’s worship: it’s actually very Australian.”

(My emphasis)

I wonder how often Bob Carr reads his Bible?
I wonder if Brian Houston actually corrected Bob’s lousy theology? Somehow I doubt it.

What do you think?
Comment below:

[Edit] See this link for a lively debate on the article in the sydneyanglicans.net forums [/edit]

Posted by Neil, 4 July 05,
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Comment

  1. I think it’s great to see Christians and Christian thinking gaining prominence in public debate. We are giving our lives to Jesus: our Christian perspective is absolutely relevant (necessary, of course) to today’s society and its issues.

    The high profile of Hillsong (for better or worse) is opening many doors for Jesus’ message in workplaces and homes around the country. The Sydney Anglican Diocesan Mission is starting to have a similar impact. I rejoice at this new openness, at the fact that the Christian world-view is back on the table for public discussion and consideration.

    Now I’d like to see some significant media review of happenings such as the various Katoomba conventions. It would be interesting to see an honest and open review of what goes on at Katoomba across a year: tens of thousands turn up for hard-core Bible teaching in a hype-free environment. The message is Gospel (full-stop) not Gospel plus. If the media is interested in some authentic expressions of Christianity, Katoomba would be an interesting place to start looking. No glamour of course (dirt floor!), and no politicians on stage (although the car I was travelling in did pick up a state parliamentarian who was walking to men’s convention this year—as just one brother among many). Just Jesus.

    — Richard Neale · Jul 4, 03:41 PM · #

  2. I’m a bit synical about Bob Carr esposing what is traditional evangelical doctrine. To me he comes across as one of the most secular of politicians.

    Most of the media wants to see these style of events as evidence of the rise of Australia’s own version of the religious right. But I think issues like refugees and the environment show that Christians while morally conservative are socially progressive on a number of issues and not guaranteed votes for conservative parties; which was the line Bob Carr was pushing on Sally Loane this morning.

    — Pete · Jul 4, 05:49 PM · #

  3. Hi Richard,
    You make some sound and helpful points. There’s no question that KCC events see probably similar numbers over the course of a year to the 30,000 at the Hillsong conference. And you’re right about the impact those teaching events have.
    But because it’s not glamerous, it’s unlikely to attract media attention.

    I’m very ambivient about Hillsong and the ‘good’ they do. They are putting Christianity on the public agenda again, but I’m very wary of it being associated with the gospel, because in all my visits to Hillsong, I have never heard them preach the gospel once.

    What irked me about Bob Carr’s comments was the classic PoMo statement about everyone finding their own salvation. And like I said, I wonder if Brian H. challenged that view?

    Pete, can you summarise Bob Carr’s interview with Sally Loane? I was busy (very!) at Windana.

    — Neil · Jul 4, 08:14 PM · #

  4. Just added an edit at the end of the article a link to a debate on this SMH article at sydneyanglicans.net
    I confess, I loved Gordon Chengs comment!

    — Neil · Jul 5, 04:36 AM · #

  5. From memory there were three talking points:
    1. Why did he go? Carr replied that it is the job of the premier to welcome visitors, to attend/open conferences and to ‘dialogue’ with all relgious communities whether christian, muslim, sikh, etc.

    2. Does he have any relgious belief himself? Carr responded that he never responds to such questions as it could be seen as the state endorsing a particular relgion. He did say he’d set himself the task of reading all the major religious texts.

    3. Does some many conservative politicians attending the opening of Hillsong conference, several conservative politicians being parishioners of Hillsong church, and the takeover of youngliberals and the liberalwomen groups by christian libertarians indicate the rise of an australian version of the religious right? Carr reported that people came up to him while he was at the conference and stated that they didn’t want to be assumed to be liberal voters. He noted thatin the US there is a dialogue between the ‘relgious right’ and the democrats over issues like the environment becuase they see the republican party not representing their views on particular issues.

    — Pete · Jul 5, 05:07 PM · #

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