Build a Sign with these Stones
When I reflect on the writers and theologians that have had the most influence in my life, NT Wright quickly comes to the top of the list. His book, “Surprised by Hope”[1] has changed the way I see and work for God’s Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Needless to say, I was very excited when we were assigned to read his new book with co-author Michael Bird, “Jesus and the Powers.”
This text offers hope and insight to churches and faith leaders during a time in the Western world that is fraught with divisiveness and uncertainty as to the future of healthy democracy amid the rise of Christian nationalism and other forces that are loud and influential. This has left me as a local church pastor with whiplash and trepidation when it comes to trying to navigate how church and politics intersect and to do it well in a world that is complex.
It seems that, in the arc of history, when Christianity has been at the center, it has mixed goodness with harm and the seduction of power has thwarted a fuller representation of the sacrificial nature of our faith. While Christianity at the center has produced noteworthy advances in history from democracy to medical care, rights for the poor and abolition of slavery, it has also contributed to enslaved people, marginalization of the poor, bloodshed and violence. This mixed bag makes me think at times that Christianity has been better from the margins, without the mechanisms of government and power at our disposal. Is this then what we should advocate and hope for then? A loss of power in the political arena and instead, opt for the desert? This is not what Wright and Bird advocate for. Instead, they advocate for the setting up of signposts of God’s Kingdom in the midst of our world.
After I graduated from high school I worked at the Oregon State Capitol in the Senate chambers, hopeful that I could live out in real life what I had seen on the “West Wing” growing up. I walked away from that world, both admiring the politicians and leaders I saw that seemed to navigate the political waters with faith and conviction and extremely skeptical that faith and politics could ever be done well.
Most of my pastoral ministry has functioned this way. While focusing on the Good News of the Kingdom and seeking to bring God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven in my local church, the world of politics has seemed too ‘hot to touch’ if I wanted to have influence and credibility with the people I was hoping to lead. While I’ve worked towards “caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and providing the poor wanderer with shelter,”[2] I have always been wary of the seduction of how politics and the church, when mixed together, create, in my opinion, a dangerous blend of nationalism and patriotism, of legislating a particular morality and ostracizing or demonizing anyone who sees things differently.
Wright and Bird’s book is a breath of fresh air that gives me renewed hope and a reminder that I can “build for the kingdom” in my home, my community and my church. I don’t have to change the world, but instead, am called to be a faithful builder in the cathedral of God. They poetically state, “the Church’s vocation is to build for the kingdom…the kingdom of God is not from this world, but it is emphatically for this world. The Church’s kingdom-vocation is not only what it says to the world, but is also what the Church does within and for the sake of the world.”[3]
Today on the radio while I was driving the news segment did a piece of “Evangelicals for Harris”[4] during this current American election cycle. My ears perked up at the name of the organization. Pastoring a church that recently let go of the word “Evangelical” in our church name because of the word’s unnecessarily, and often misguided, polarizing effect, I was surprised to hear the world Evangelical used not in association with Republicans or traditionally conservation Christians. This group is doing work to try to bridge the divide between the issues that are at the forefront of this election
While I’m not endorsing or promoting a particular candidate (something I decided early on in my pastoral ministry I personally wasn’t ever going to do) it was a testimony to what Wright and Bird are suggesting in their book, that kingdom people must be involved in the political sphere, albeit with much caution, in order to participate in the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom in the world. While I don’t see that organization as my particular calling, this book has renewed my resolve to see my church, family and community as places where I can build for God’s Kingdom and create “signposts” pointing the way to the coming of Christ and His Kingdom in our world.
Tim Mackie and the Bible Project have created an incredible resource and series based on many of the same teachings and concepts from Wright and this “Heaven reunited with Earth”[5] theology that calls every Christian to engage in kingdom work in the real world.
Finally, the most powerful part of this book for me was the metaphor used of the cathedral and the stonemason.
A stonemason helping build a cathedral is given a certain number of stones and a task to craft them in a certain way. They may not even be aware of what other stonemasons are building as part of the cathedral and they are certainly not responsible for the building of the entire cathedral itself, they are simply hired to do the task well that was given to them.
While I may not see the cathedral (or even my section of the wall) completed in my lifetime, I trust that Jesus, King and Architect, is building the cathedral of His Kingdom and I can participate with him, and with others, in the restoration of this world that He will one day set right.
What are the stones that I’ve been entrusted with? My family, the community I love, the people I am called to minister and pastor alongside. How can I build for the kingdom in these areas, to “proclaim Good News to the poor, bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free?”[6]
What are the stones that you’ve been entrusted with?
[1] Wright, N. T. 2014. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. 1st ed. New York: HarperOne.
[2] Isaiah 58:7, NIV
[3] Wright, N. T., and Michael F. Bird. 2024. Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Reflective, 7.
[4] HOME | Evangelicals For Harris
[5] Learn Where Heaven and Earth Overlap (youtube.com)
[6] Isaiah 61:1, NIV
About the Author
Ryan Thorson
Follower of Jesus. Husband. Father. Pastor. Coach. I am passionate about helping people discover the gift of Sabbath and slow down spirituality in the context of our busy world.10 responses to “Build a Sign with these Stones”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hi Ryan, I was struck by your comment about feeling like you were left with whiplash in navigating church and politics. Isn’t it possible that the speaking of the truth to power in politics is actually about what you are already doing and what we hope our politicians will support with laws and funding, to support those who are hungry and marginalized? Thanks for your post.
Hi Diane! Thanks for the reminder. I often feel like I’m not doing enough because of some sense of inadequacy in me. You’ve caused me to reflect on the good work we are doing and to continue to be open to what God might do in the future. Thanks for the encouragement!
Ryan,
I always appreciate to see a reference to the Bible Project. Over the years their podcast has really been very helpful in how I read and wrestle through the Bible.
The stones I am entrusted with… Certainly my family, my kids, and right now my adopted son who is very challenging. However, I also see the work we are doing in this program as building quite an extraordinary stone. God is doing something beautiful as he chisels away and refines each of us.
Hi Adam! Agreed. The work in this program has been encouraging and it is a joy to be building for the kingdom together with you!
Ryan,
Thanks for your honest discussion. My daughter introduced me to the Bible Project and I’ve loved listening to their Sermon on the Mount series this year.
I too loved the illustration of building the cathedral. My stones, my wife and 4 kids, and my teaching. With my teaching, I often wonder if students really listen and if I am making a difference.
I am wondering if you are able to create an environment in your church where people can sit down together to freely discuss their political concerns. If not, what do you feel prevents that from happening?
Hi Jeff! Thanks. We have hosted “Fearless Conversations” in the past where people have gathered around tables to discuss issues. We consider doing that again this year, but haven’t acted on it yet. Your prompt will cause me to pray more on this. Thanks!
Hey Ryan thanks for sharing this. I read the thread and saw where you mentioned Fearless Conversations. Are there other practices you have sought to utilize to have Christian intersection with the political sphere? There is a need for involvement but becoming a part can be so polarizing if not met with caution.
Hi Ryan, I always enjoy your posts and getting to read a pastor’s perspective. As a church member, I am craving a pastor’s shepherding in regards to politics.
I understand why pastor’s wouldn’t want to endorse a specific candidate or party – but I wish that pastor’s had the freedom to shepherd their congregation in political matters. If your church member’s would welcome your leadership in this way, would you be willing to engage?
Hi Ryan, Wright’s “Surprised by Hope” also changed many of my ideas about God’s kingdom. Thank you for mentioning it in your post. I also appreciated the way you highlighted the work of the stonemason. I believe we often feel the pressure to see a sort of “utopian transformation” within our society, and we might carry that heavy responsibility. However, it really is about building stone by stone. We are not personally responsible for constructing the whole cathedral, so to speak. As a pastor, what are some ways you have encouraged your church community to maintain the concept of building stone by stone?
Ryan, as a fellow pastor, I am always curious to know how other pastors lead their congregations in civil engagement. How do you envision the work of Wright and Bird shaping how you lead your congregation this Fall?