Some Christians say some dumb stuff when it comes to politics. In this article Greg Clarke (from Centre for Public Christianity) shows that he is NOT one of them! There has been a very small kerfuffle regarding whether Julia Gillard’s atheism means that she’s unsuitable to be Australia’s Prime Minister. Clarke’s article is worth reading.
Here’s a snippet:
Nowhere in the New Testament is there any concept that a Christian ‘prophet’ might be given word from God on who should govern the land. The arrival of Jesus changes all of that theocratic language, and the role of ‘prophecy’ changes: it becomes a call to recognise the authority of Jesus, and to follow his teachings and his call to turn back to God.
The New Testament famously calls on Christians to “be subject to the governing authorities” (in Romans 13:1) but it certainly does not say, “go and appoint the governing authorities yourself”. In fact, it says quite the opposite. The very next verse suggests that if you resist an authority, you are in fact resisting God, because God is in control ultimately of who leads and who doesn’t.
If a prime minister is on his knee’s every night asking God how he should lead the country, then you know he is heading in the right direction. Also Julia has a stupid education plan and is pro-abortion and also some other things that I don’t want in my country.
Thanks for posting this Dave!! My first vote this year and have been trying to work out what it is as a Christian that should influence my vote.
@Ed: This is also a great article on Christians and voting (in fact, I think it might even be better): http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/in-the-political-realm-birds-of-a-feather-dont-necessarily-flock-together-20100728-10vy3.html
Enjoy your vote!
dan – thanks for sharing that article too.
good Christian writers getting some good press. sweeeeet!
likewise good luck ed.
Only just saw this post (haven’t checked your site for ages). I completely agree. I like the fact Julia is honest and upfront about her so-called atheism (although I query whether it really is atheism as opposed to agnostocism – I think atheism is the new agnosticism and people have blurred the two. But that’s another topic.) Many of our previous PMs have been nominal church goers who claimed the Christian title, but really were they? At least we know where Julia stands.
hey andy m – welcome back!
glad you’re back.