Category: Faith and Politics
At Faithful Intellect, we don’t avoid politics. We avoid partisan politics. Politics (at its core) is working with other people for the good of society. Faith and politics can and should go together. Our faith should impact our ideas about how to work with others and what is best for society.
We believe that intelligent, sincere Christians can disagree over parties and policies. Firstly, the relative prioritization of issues and policies is up to each person to decide. Since no one candidate or party perfectly aligns with the Bible, Christians will disagree about what issues take precedent.
Secondly, the US media focuses almost exclusively on the national level when it comes to politics. Many issues are not primarily determined by the President at the national level. This makes political engagement at the local and state level often more influential in determining policy.
Lastly, the Bible is our primary authority for determining our political convictions. The Bible is our resource for determining what is right and truth, not adherence to any one political party or ideology. Faith and politics go together, but it is faith that determines our politics. Our politics don’t determine our faith.
-
Citizenship Without Illusions by David T. Koyzis
David T. Koyzis’s Citizenship Without Illusions offers a thoughtful guide for Christians seeking to navigate political engagement with integrity and faithfulness. By balancing theological insight with practical wisdom, Koyzis challenges readers to move beyond partisan ideologies and explore the responsibilities of citizenship. His global perspective, enriched by personal experiences from the U.S., Canada, and Europe,… Read more
-
Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation by Jon Ward
Testimony by Jon Ward is a personal story that takes readers inside the evangelical movement that failed a generation. Ward provides a perspective as someone who spans both the world of evangelicalism and the world of politics. He grew up in the evangelical church and became a journalist, covering the Bush, Obama, and Trump presidencies.… Read more
-
The Ballot and the Bible by Kaitlyn Schiess Book Review
“The Ballot and the Bible” by Kaitlyn Schiess: 6/10. This book examines the historical use of Scripture in American politics, analyzing different eras from the Puritans to modern-day politicians like Bush, Obama, and Trump. Top takeaways are the need for a comprehensive understanding of Scripture and caution against biblical literalism. Read more
-
Israel and Gaza – The Good Samaritan and My Neighbor
The conflict between Israel and Gaza holds global significance, reflecting societal attitudes towards others. Older evangelicals align with Israel, influenced by dispensational theology, while younger generations see Palestinians as oppressed. The Good Samaritan parable is proposed as a guide for compassion. A prayer for peace and discernment is offered for the conflicting parties and ourselves. Read more