Q. I like your points against traditional political activism. Our two-party system is really just 1 party anyway. It’s a false system. That became clear in the last two elections. But, is there any kind of activism worthy of our support? Does the Bible say anything about this?
Answer:
The Bible does talk about what is “true religion” and how we should live-out our faith. There are lots of things Christians and churches can do which are truly biblical. For example, helping the poor is one biblical suggestion. There is lots of scriptural support for helping and assisting widows and orphans.
Let’s take a look at what the Bible says:
1. Assisting Widows, Orphans, & the Poor
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27, NASB).
Proverbs 19:17 tells us,
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and he will repay you! (NLT)
Isaiah 58:10 says:
Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day (NLT).
There are numerous worthwhile organizations available to help, too. Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, Compassion International, Voice of the Martyrs, Samaritan’s Purse, and dozens of others are attempting to help the poor, the homeless, and a starving world.
2. Home Schooling
There is a good case for removing children from government schools and educating your own children, too. Psychologist James Dobson from Focus on the Family Ministries recently advised all families in California to remove their children from public schools and to begin a program of home schooling.
Several issues led him to this conclusion. One was the public schools’ insistence on teaching five-year olds about alternative lifestyles such as same sex marriages. The Southern Baptist Convention has also recommended that families home school their own children for many of the same reasons. Teachings concerning alternative lifestyles and a broad acceptance of all religions but Christianity are some of their reasons.
Proverbs 22:6 advises parents,
Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it (NASB).
Having met a number of home schooled children and their families from our area, we find the home schooled children tend to be smarter, kinder, more compassionate, capable of conversing with different age groups, and more socially adjusted than those from traditional schools.
In the more populated areas there are tremendous resources and networking groups available to families who educate their own children. Groups of twenty or more families pool their resources and teaching abilities to help each other in this endeavor.
3. Biblical Worldview & Education
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
Therefore, all things having to do with biblical education is a worthy goal. This includes all Sunday school, secondary schools, and Christian college educational matters.
4. Revivals
Example of Ninevah
Revivals occur when God’s truth is preached and lives are changed. Ninevah is a good example. When Jonah preached “30 days and you get yours!” (courtesy of Missler’s translation), an entire nation of pagans and heathens repented and changed the course of their nation.
Pentecost
Pentecost is another example. These were the same people who demanded that Christ be crucified just days earlier. Then Peter preached with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thousands of lives were changed (see Acts 2:41).
The Great Awakening
America’s Great Awakening was another example. After hearing sermons preached by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield hundreds upon hundreds of Americans changed their lives and thus history, too.
Rescue Missions & Soup Kitchens
Assisting life changes which frequently occur in rescue missions and soup kitchens is another worthy endeavor. The gospel is preached, biblical education is stressed, and lives are frequently changed for the better. Get involved in your local rescue missions – whether through material donations or monetary funding or through preaching the gospel.
Covenant Blessings are Church Responsibilities
Don’t forget that although America is not a covenant nation like Israel, nevertheless covenant blessings or curses do fall upon Christians. The Apostle Paul says,
“If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
Anything we do to uplift the church will tend to uplift the nation, too. We encourage believers to study their bibles and to start home bible study groups in order to effect change within their churches and communities.
Remember that the Bible teaches,
“Judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).
Blessings begin at home and spill over into the nation – not the other way around.