The involvement of the church in politics is the subject of much discussion across the Atlantic, and many people desire a different approach, a middle way between the Republican Christian Right and the emerging left-leaning church, which is worrying in its relativization of the truth of the gospel. In the previous article, I praised Rick Warren's approach. This would be my centrist tendencies, wanting the best from each side while rejecting the flaws, but I believe that the church should be able to express God's heart without having to descend into the arena and throw to the lions all those who express divergent positions. Some are probably wondering what this has to do with it; it being the title of this article, it's simple. I will mention another example, which I believe is highly commendable, of the participation of a Christian leader in the political process, in this case Andy Stanley.
Andy Stanley is pastor of the gigantic Northpoint Church in Atlanta. Andy and his team have always demonstrated a strong spirit of innovation, and their latest project is no exception. Andy Stanley has just completed a leadership teaching series called Letters to the Next President. Along with Andy Stanley's messages—which, no doubt, America being what it is, will be shared with those interested—the Northpoint team has also created a website where anyone can write a letter to the nation's next president, www.letterstothenextpresident.com.
The initiative is completely non-partisan, allowing ordinary people to express their hearts to the next president, regardless of their political stripe or that of the author. Andy's messages take a biblical perspective, where the nation's spiritual leaders impart words of wisdom to political leaders, while allowing everyone to express themselves. On the website www.letterstothenextpresident.com, not only can you write, but you can also read other people's letters.
Here are some of them:
· Model
Laura G
Mr. President,
As the leader of our nation, I ask you to be a role model for the children of this country. I hope the children of this country will look up to you and honor your office. Please teach them honesty, honor, love, and commitment in word and deed. Stand up for your beliefs and work for the unity of our country. Protect our homeland, our freedom, and the core values of this country. Trust God first and seek His wise guidance when making decisions that will influence this great nation. Honor your family and your country. Make education a priority—shape the future of our children. Help those who cannot help themselves. And finally, remember that you are accountable not only to the American people, but to God our Father.
and Chuck Colson himself,
· advice for the next president
Chuck Colson
Mr. President,
The Bible teaches us that God has chosen you as president. This has nothing to do with your personal faith, which I hope is otherwise strong; but rather with your duties. God appoints governments to wield the sword to maintain order and dispense justice. How you implement these two elements will determine the success of your presidency.
The founders of the United States called this new nation an experiment in “ordered liberty.” The order to be established was what Augustine called Tranquilitus Ordinus—peace born of order, but order can never violate liberty or justice.
Having served one president (not very well—I ended up in jail), and having been friends with several other presidents, I can tell you that the best way to start your day as president is with a good Bible study and the Scriptures. Preserving order means preserving moral order, as well as just order within society. But you will find no better source of understanding moral truth than the revealed Word of God.
The second thing to do every day is to read the opening words of the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution is our covenant; the Declaration is our identity. Always remember these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” And as you do so, remember that by the pursuit of happiness, the Founders did not mean the hedonism sought in our current narcissistic culture, but rather the pursuit of virtue. Free republics can remain free only if the people themselves are virtuous and able to govern their appetites.
Finally, I know, having spent four years in the White House, that you will face a whole series of unexpected crises. When they occur, there is nothing better than prayer, trust in God, and then knowing how to receive these words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
May you be endowed with the same wisdom that God gave to Solomon to be able to discern between good and evil, and to establish justice in a world in turmoil.
God bless you.
Chuck Colson
Young people are not left out:
· Taxes
Billy
Mr. President,
My parents would really like you to lower taxes.
-Billy
Nor foreigners?
· Europe
boné
Mr. President,
Could you tell America that Europe is a continent and the Netherlands is a country?
and this one from Andy Stanley himself
· Heaven reigns
Andy
Mr. President,
Certainly you are accountable to us, the American people, but we are not the ultimate source of your authority.
Certainly you must answer to the United States Congress for your actions, but one day you will have to answer to someone much more important.
Certainly you consult the leaders of the whole world, but our hope is that you do not forget to consult the Creator of this world.
As the great King Nebuchadnezzar was once reminded, “Know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he pleases.”
So your leadership, like all leadership, is stewardship, it is temporary, and you will have to be accountable.
Andy
What are you proposing, 'Letters to the President of the Republic,' but how can we ensure objectivity? The beauty of this initiative lies in its non-partisan nature. It's not a book of grievances addressed to a sitting president, but rather people sincerely expressing their hearts to the person who will be elected, regardless of their political stripe.
I propose we do the same for our current president! Let him know that we are the guarantors of the Judeo-Christian values of this country and that he must place his trust in God to lead the country and not in his own wisdom.