If we were to ask “what is the political agenda of the gospel” we might examine the gospel narrative attributed to Matthew.
Indeed many squirm at the thought of the gospel having a political agenda. Those claiming a Christian identity might say the gospel is above politics, while those of a more secular-mind might say religion should be kept out of politics. And while both sides have valid viewpoints with worthwhile takeaway applications for daily life, there is no denying the gospel message pushes an agenda that is intended to influence our lives fully, including our political bents.
Those of us who follow Jesus can never fully separate our faith from our political viewpoints. Now, we can (and should) discern how our perspectives should be applied those who prescribe to other persuasions. And we should constantly be reevaluating our own ideals and aspirations alongside the gospel message found in scripture and the pleadings of the Holy Spirit at work within ourselves and around our world. When we do this, we may be surprised to see how a great many political movements that claim to have Christian values as their foundation are actually quite uprooted from Jesus’ teachings and gravely malnourished.
The new Church Year began a couple of weeks ago with the start of Advent, and this year’s reading cycle revolves around the gospel narrative attributed to Matthew. When we focus our gaze to just this gospel (which is healthy to do at times with any of the four gospels), it is nearly impossible to not see the political nature of this text. The ancient writer(s) of this book may not have used the word “political” to describe their work at the time of its writing, however there is no denying that the message at the heart of this book is a direct affront to world order (both then and now). The Jesus here is a threat to earthly powers and authority and we are meant—as those continuing the lineage our Lord began—to continue upending the power structures that prevent the Eternal Kingdom from being built today. God is at work in this gospel, and in our lives, ensuring that the Eternal Kingdom for which our Lord Jesus stands, lives, and reigns forever and ever is continually being built through our daily acts of faithful resistance, loving compassion, and merciful justice.
Over the course of this Church Year, my hope is to go through the gospel according to Mathew, seeking some of the countless ways it is meant to influence our personal and corporate (communal) political agendas and our actions of faith. In the vein of my other writings here, the desire is for you and I to be inspired to go out and relevantly reform our world, for the glory of God’s Eternal, Everlasting, and Ever-Expanding Kingdom.
Relevant Reformation 