WISDOM
to Administer Justice
Democracy = dêmos (δῆμος) “the people” + krátos (κράτος) “power” or “rule”
Dēmokratía (δημοκρατία) literally means “rule by the people”
Christians in democracy should pray like Solomon, “I do not know how to carry out my duties. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
God was pleased that Solomon had asked for discernment in administering justice. 1 Kings 3:7-11
Pastor-Safe: Wisdom for Equipping the Saints
Much of the Church And State ministries are devoted to making the biblical case for Christians being politically influential. It is incontravertibly scriptural that God is simply shocked, appalled and aghast when His people fail to intervene in injustice.
A Very Brief Political Theology
Jesus prayed for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done – here and now. His greatest sermon warned against us being salt which has become useless, or light which is less than unapologetically public. He also taught us very clearly how to judge pigs, dogs, false believers and false prophets by their fruit. He didn’t say, “Always be nice.”
He commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations, and to teach them to obey everything He commanded us. He exhorted us to always seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and let Him worry about our daily needs.
These cannot possibly be thought to mean except in the governance of the nation; not after He also said righteousness exalts a nation – makes it great, while sin is a reproach to any people. When He said, ‘Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s‘, it’s incoherent to claim He ceded any sovereignty. When He said to Pilate, ‘My Kingdom is not of this world,’ He did not mean it’s not for this world, only that it’s not from here.
Australia invites all adult citizens to share in the formation of parliaments and policies which determine the justice, liberty and peace or our 28 million neighbours. So we’d better understand democracy’s a gift and responsibility Jesus will review our stewardship of – either, good and faithful or wicked and lazy.
Church And State exists to not only dispel the bad theology, myths and misunderstandings of the prophetic voice of the Church in the public square (AKA ‘politics’), but to be a support and resource to pastors, preachers and priests who really are responsible for what happens at the next election.
21% of Australians attend church at least monthly, and more than a quarter of state and territory seats are decided by a margin of 5% or less. If the pulpit collectively accepts responsibility to equip the saints for the literal ministry of governing with their ballots at elections, we can easily influence the issues and election outcomes.
Foundational wisdom to govern is found in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Christians can grow in confidence God is answering their prayer for political wisdom by searching the Scriptures, discussing the real issues with mature believers and their local pastors.
The foundational skill I need to teach in schools and political branch meetings alike, which pastors need to ensure all Christians have, is how to practically apply what we learn about righteousness and justice in an election where it counts more than we know.
Overcoming Incompetence and Ignorance
The terrible fact is a huge number of Australians, maybe even the majority, have no idea how our electoral system (preferential voting) works. The solution is the pulpit teaching what God was pleased Solomon asked for: the wisdom to administer justice. This needs to be done desperately urgently, and repeatedly, with our nation deliberately killing of a quarter of everyone conceived here before they’re born – with the government’s (and voters’) blessing and funding. This curse is approaching 6 decades of ineffective intervention by the Church in Australia!
Analysis of recent elections suggests at least 94.2% of church-going Christians vote for candidates who approve of killing babies, even when there’s a righteous option. This may be due to some believing that’s okay, but much is due to believing that if they vote for the most righteous candidate they risk wasting their vote. That is a totally wrong belief.
The wonderful reality of preferential voting is it empowers risk-free idealism with our ballots, being guaranteed we can never, ever waste our votes if we follow just 4 simple rules.
- Fear God, love your neighbour.
- Rank the people, not the parties.
- Always number every box.
- Never vote 1 for a baby killer.
More Christian Election Resources
Research Resources
ACL has conducted extensive research and surveys of candidates in every electorate which are incredibly helpful. CAS encourages voters to read and rank candidates’ answers for themselves rather than just the summary or simple scores given by someone else. This is one of the most diligent ways to choose your own preferences.
Please note that parties which do not respond likely believe their answers would offend Christian voters more than their ignorance of us.
Canberra Declaration is a driving force behind the Christians Values Checklist which can also be helpful to assess the overall policy position of parties. Diligent stewardship is still required though, as candidates vary significantly from their colleagues within the same party!