1^st August 2012

The great apologists like Augustine boldly argued the superiority of Christianity, that it alone produced the best earthly society . We should revive that method today with confidence and gracious assertion! ‘The Christian conception of God has provided the foundation for what became an unprecedented type of human society' writes one historian on Western democracy (1). Its possibility essentially comes from individuals having a personal relationship with God, spread through societies in the great movements of Christian reform and revival.
Secularists arguing against public policies and governance based on belief as irrational, or when they ironically flirt with Islamic sharia which has produced no examples of any desirable society or political system, are let off the hook too easily! Informed folk can and should counter clearly and factually. For their sakes and for the well being of our continually developing society-as well as for the honour of the name our Lord.
The Gospel of Christ however is bearing fruit and growing. This is the news in every generation. This is the real history, His-story!
All around the world the minds and hearts of millions are coming under the rule of the Prince of Peace. The testimony to Christ is more persuasive, attractive and socially effective than any other religion or belief system
Becoming one people out of all peoples, one nation across all nations, we who have received Jesus are with all His people in all generations and all places.
Jesus is our life and leader - we are under His government, He who shoulders the rule of the universe. (2) He is establishing a new nation whose people will be at peace with each other forever, the ones whom He has promised shall participate in the first Resurrection. (3)
Even now they are a demonstration of the new creation, evidencing that Christ, to whom they belong, is raised from the dead! (4)
They need no earthly parliaments, courts or police to control them, or to make them do what is right or fair. Their laws are higher. They are willingly ruled by the invisible God.
They are benefactors to society, not a burden to it. Not one dollar of the billions we must all pay for crime, is incurred by them. They have no need of more laws to restrain or train them, benefiting only and properly from the protection afforded from them
We who belong to this people of God, enjoy His wisdom and eye of love upon us. We know Him and are known by Him before whom nothing can be hidden. He sees our secret actions, and knows our motivations and thoughts. His purifying love has dealt with the darkness in our hearts and it will take us to maturity with our elder brother, Jesus, the first of this new race!

(1) L Siedentop ‘Democracy in Europe' p.194
(2) Isaiah Chpt 9
(3) Revelation Chpt.20
(4) John 17.23

Ian Clarkson (First published in ACCatalyst October 2011)