Representing The King and His Kingdom
Philosophical study is often neglected by the Evangelical and historically the Pentecostal branches of contemporary religious sects. Some say it is the very ethos of the Evangelical/Pentecostal movements being “activist, populist, pragmatic, and utilitarian” that provides the reasoning as to why they do not delve into deeper intellectual efforts. These branches of Christendom are too often “dominated by the urgencies of the moment.”[1] We see even in the new “Progressive Pentecostal movement,” with its focus on social activism, that the “urgency of the moment” is what often guides time and effort. This urgency of the moment mentality does beg a question, “With the world ‘going to hell in a hand basket’ and people dying daily from the lack of basic nutrition and medical aid, is there a need to study philosophy, morality, ethical argumentation, and the like? Should we not just go do the work that is needed, not wasting time on such mental gymnastics?
I believe that as representatives of the King and His Kingdom we need to be prepared to be able to both understand the ethical arguments around us and properly represent the King and His Kingdom. Patrick Nullens and Ronald T. Michener in their book The Matrix of Christian Ethics: Integrating Philosophy and Moral Theology in a Postmodern Context state, “To be a Christian is to be a Christ follower in a world largely committed to not following Christ.”[2] We see the reality of this statement when we recognize that there are signs all around us that although we grow ever more advance in our technology, communication, travel, and ability to make profit we have only to scan our headlines to realize that beneath the surface of our “oh so wonderful achievements” we find decadence, corruption, and evidence of a society losing its way unable to handle the very personal freedoms we so heartily fought for.[3] Such headlines ought to highlight the need that representatives of the King and His Kingdom ought to clearly understand the arguments and be able to engage the downward societal spiral providing the King’s perspective on such matters of morality, ethics, and philosophy. Are we prepared to represent the King and engage the downward societal spiral?
As Christ followers in a society that often does not care to follow along with us, we must at least be the voice in the fray that speaks for a moral reflection that will guide others to a more dignified and charitable future. I appreciate and agree with the authors when they state, “if a culture is unsuccessful in passing along the value of moral reflection, it may end up as a police state where power and control, rather than human dignity and charity, become the regulative norms of society.”[4] As representatives of the King we need to be the voice for doing things right based on dignity and charity least we simply become a police state where punishment is our only guide. Are we prepared to represent the King with dignity and charity keeping our society from becoming a police state?
Then there is the rise of postmodernism and with it a propensity to challenge, question, and push against the status quo of thinking. Postmodern thought has the tendency to deconstruct anything that is not nailed down. Though this mindset is challenging it is not inherently relativistic, leaning more on situational ethics then on solid truth. Though it is difficult to apply caricatures or generalizations to postmodern thinking it is helpful to at least understand some of the intellectual tendencies. Though some would look at postmodernism as a threat to the establishment, I appreciate the potential new ways of understanding and possible new insights that such challenging perspectives bring. Postmodernism underscore the deficiencies of modernism.[5] Such deficiencies have left humanity looking for more than just the “text book” answers. As representatives of the King are we prepared to assist others when their questions take us off the text book?
Lastly, not all the people that we desire to share this revelatory and salvific Word of God desire to hear it, let alone accept it for themselves. They are caught up in their own worldview that keeps them from hearing the truth that would set them free. Paul experienced this difficulty as he tried to reason with the philosophical players he encountered at Mars Hill. If we are to represent the King and His Kingdom to these type of people we must be familiar with the ever changing world views that they desire to hide behind. As representatives of the King are were prepared to help those hiding behind their worldviews see that they are created in the image of God and thus change their entire worldview?[6]
As representatives of the King we need to represent the King and His Kingdom with proper and right argumentation begin able to both understand others side but also properly present the King and His revolutionary perspective. In doing so I believe we can better address the incredible situations around us like people dying daily from the lack of basic nutrition and medical aid and even those going to hell in a hand basket, whatever that means. Are you ready to represent?
[1] Patrick Nullens and Ronald T. Michener, The Matrix of Christian Ethics: Integrity Philosophy and Moral Theology in a Postmodern Context (Paternoster Publishing, 2010), 66.
[2] Ibid., 28.
[3] Ibid., 30.
[4] Ibid., 19.
[5] Ibid., 39.
[6] Ibid., 185.
About the Author
Mitch Arbelaez
International Mission Mobilizers with Go To Nations Living and traveling the world from Jacksonville Florida8 responses to “Representing The King and His Kingdom”
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Hi Mitch
I really good post! I particularly like where you wrote, “With the world ‘going to hell in a hand basket’ and people dying daily from the lack of basic nutrition and medical aid, is there a need to study philosophy, morality, ethical argumentation, and the like? Should we not just go do the work that is needed, not wasting time on such mental gymnastics.” I have to admit, I tend to think along the same lines. At the end of the day, isn’t it all about the practical outworking of ethics? As you say, we need to be ready to represent, and those who are hungry or sick just need to meet with God in a real way.
Thank you for a thought provoking post 🙂
Hey Liz, I agree with you “those who are hungry or sick just need to meet with God in a real way” but unless we have learned God for ourselves in a deep and meaningful way with our own personal learning we will give pat and regurgitated trite answers to the hungry and the hurting. I have heard people tell those who have lost loved ones that “God loved them so much that He wanted them as an angel.” WHAT??!!! That is a lack of study and a lack of knowledge of God’s word. They may have faith but they lack understanding. We have got to do the deep work of thinking least we give such poor responses to those who are truly hungry for spiritual nourishment.
Mitch, a great post, as usual!
Thank you for bringing into our discussion that whole question of what are we doing with sitting around talking about philosophy when our world is falling apart and needs immediate action. I like what you said at the end of your post: “we need to represent the King and His Kingdom with proper and right argumentation begin able to both understand others side but also properly present the King and His revolutionary perspective,” which is why I continue to struggle with reading philosophy and science – because I believe our faith does make sense and can be communicated! But it makes my head hurt and I often feel so dense! But, as important as that is…how we live and act and show the world with our lives will also provide strong witness to so many that argument will not. This where I believe the Pentecostals also provide a different part of the matrix of Christian understanding, providing clear signs and vivid experiences of the living God that takes us beyond philosophy, and for many, closer to their souls. And I would further add in the Progressive Pentecostal’s involvement in their neighborhoods and in society helps bring an awareness of the reality of Christ in very real and tangible ways to so many people. Doesn’t it seem as if we can bring our faith to people in all these different ways (hence “the matrix”) that our witness for the King would be just that much stronger? This why I think philosophy is important, but only as part of a “holistic” approach that will assure that people’s lives are touched at where they are at.
Thanks for your thoughts. It helped me put together some important ideas.
John, Thanks for your reply. Yes indeed – a holistic approach to all for our ethics and our learning in order to serve better the hurting people of our world. Great. I recenlty heard a pastor tell an all men’s gathering that a brother does not care how much theology you know but that you are there for him in the time of need. But, I wanted to yell out, “unless you are transformed by the theology you study you will not want to even be there for your brother.” We must have a balanced approach to the matrix of how and through what means we do minister to our brothers. I know I minister better having done my MDiv. and learning even more now through our DMin work. We cannot throw it all out. There has to be room for learning least we end up sideways in our expression of our limited theological knowledge. Ok, so I ranted a bit. ha!! Bless you John!
Mitch, thank you for reminding us to develop a holistic approach in our missions. I also like you highlighted the need create space for dialogue on critical moral issues that matters to our Christian faith.
Indeed Telile. To many shy away from the tough work of study yet the scripture tells to study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the Word of God. The Word, I believe, encompasses so much more than just go and do. There are all the academic, financial, marital, and ethical issues that one must “dig” out. If we don’t have a holistic approach to our mission work than we will not be presenting the whole of scripture. See my reply to John above.
Mitch,
I like your quote from “The Matrix…” about the “police state.” I had read this as well and Plato’s old query of “who will guard the guardians” came rolling back in my mind.
There’s so much to consider in this short statement from the authors. However, I just want to mostly consider one piece and only just a bit. I think there is a tendency for people to think that a police state becomes a necessary force because of the loss of moral reflection in general society. However, I’d like suggest that a police state is less the result of a loss of moral reflection by society in general (though certainly this almost always plays some part) and is more the result of a loss of moral reflection by those in and with access to power. This is simply Acton’s old adage of, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.” It is often the populace — perhaps also somewhat diminished in their capacity to morally reflect, but experiencing nowhere near the diminished capacity being experienced by those in upper echelons of power — that get blamed by those in power for “need” for a police state. This is simply classic despotism. It’s readily apparent enough when we name it. However, when we don’t name it…we get all kinds of spin that makes it seem that it’s the “peoples” fault. Random examples of “police state” responses by those in power being used — implicitly or explicitly — because of a “loss of moral reflection” by the people: recent Ferguson, Missouri events; WWII US Japanese internment camps on US soil; Civil Rights struggle in our country; Ceausescu’s Romania; Nazi Germany; South Africa’s Apartheid era; USSR’s dominance of socio-political thought, etc.
All this to say — without suggesting that it is always the case — it is interesting to me to consider that at times those who are the ones wielding the most “power” (at least in the sense of access to “legal” recourse to armaments) and perpetuating the most harm in order to “stop greater harm” are the ones that often produce the literature/ideas that suggest(s) that they are needed because of the loss of “a value of moral reflection” on the part of greater society.
It is often suggested that loss of human dignity and charity begins at the bottom…well, what if it’s the other way around and while we see the outplay of such loss in particular ways at “the bottom,” this is a systemic disease that has simply flowed there, but finds its origins in the branches rather than the roots? Indeed, who will guard the guardians?
Great thoughts here Clint. Despotism is indeed more lead into by the upper echelon of leadership as opposed to the workings out of the common man, who has little to no power in which to validate his own existence let alone create the chaos that would engender the need for a police state. I believe you are correct in that the original loss of morality lies not in the simple common man but in his leaders. Great thoughts!