The Law of God and Public Policy: Three Ls (7)

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to themin the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” Deuteronomy 4.5, 6

Begin here
For the Christian, the language we use in contributing to public policy begins in conversation with God. If we do not first talk with God about the work of government, we run the risk, like Joshua in the first assault on Ai, of charging ahead in our own efforts, doing whatever we think is best without respect for God’s purposes or concerns.

We talk with God about public policy, then we enter the arena of public policy and talk with those who engage with us in this important work. Here Christians need to be reminded about a couple of obvious, but easily-overlooked, guidelines to help us in bringing the teaching of God’s Law to bear on the work of public policy.

Two guidelines
First, making public policy is not a work of evangelization. Of course, Christians must be always ready to give a reason for our hope to anyone who asks (1 Pet. 3.15). But in making public policy we are seeking to shape government not for the salvation of souls but for the kind of society where such salvation can be freely proclaimed and lived (1 Tim. 2.1-8).

Thus the language of public policymaking must not be the language of preaching; indeed, it will probably not even be the language of God’s Law, at least, not obviously or directly. Nothing shuts down conversation in the public policy arena in contemporary America quite as fast as someone who feels obligated to preface all his opinions with, “Thus saith the Lord” or to punctuate his every comment with “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” Such language is appropriate in its place, of course, but it is not likely to enable us to achieve a persuasive voice in the arena of public policymaking.

But just because we do not use the words of God’s Law does not mean that we are not seeking to achieve in public policy thespirit of what it encodes. Biblical exposition makes sense to us, and we would not think of engaging the arena of public policy—or any other arena of life—without adequate Biblical preparation and instruction.

However, we need to present God’s good and perfect will to people in language that makes sense to them. We must seek to persuade policymakers that what we propose in any area of public policy embodies true wisdom and understanding and will contribute to a peaceable, quiet, safe, just, and good society. The burden is on us to understand the times in which we live—the views and worldview of our contemporaries, and their hopes and aspirations—and to propose our agendas in ways that resonate with those worldviews and hopes.

As Jesus became incarnate in a form men could recognize, doing works they could admire and speaking words they could readily understand, so we who are seeking to affect public policy according to God’s good Law must couch our proposals in arguments and forms, the wisdom and goodness of which can be properly debated, evaluated, and implemented within the public square by people who may have no regard whatsoever for Biblical teaching.

This is a large challenge, obviously. But by God’s grace, we can rise to it.

How we speak
Here it is important that we understand and practice everything the Scriptures teach about how we must use our speech. We must seek to edify others, show them reverence and respect, propose scenarios that appeal to the most basic human needs and concerns, speak the truth in love, and do our very best to explain, persuade, and justify our views, without feeling the compunction, at every turn, to cite chapters and verses from the Bible. We must use the tools of reason and sound judgment to make our case, because unless our recommendations and suggestions make sense to others, we cannot possibly hope to achieve any progress in bringing the holy and righteous and good Law of God to bear on matters of public policy.

All we do and all we propose will derive from our understanding of God’s Law and of all His Word. And, if asked, we must be ready to explain our Biblical perspective. But if we lead with Scripture, or if we give the impression that only by believing Scripture can our proposals be agreed to, then we will lose the argument before it even starts. This is why Jesus spent so much time telling stories and so little time quoting the Old Testament. He taught the Law of God without having to name or quote it, and the wisdom contained in those parables has stood the test of time.

We must be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves in helping policymakers see the wisdom, understanding, and good that can come from public policies based on the teaching of God’s Word, without requiring them to embrace that Word or even to acknowledge it as the source of our recommendations.

The language of public policy begins in the words of prayer, but its vernacular must be that of the best , the most thoughtful, and the most winsome vernacular and persuasion of the age in which we live. Our goal must be to persuade. Only God can change hearts, and He holds the hearts of every person in government in his own hand, to shape and move as He will (Prov. 21.1).

There is a time and a place for evangelizing the lost and for arguing Biblical cases for this or that moral or cultural perspective. And such opportunities may certainly arise as we engage in the work of public policy. But the work of making public policy is not best served by confusing evangelism or apologetics with public service. We can make progress in bringing the blessings of God’s Law into policies designed to promote the common weal, but we must do so in a way that keeps in mind the purpose of public policy and the protocols of sound reason, good judgment, and lively discussion and debate.

Public policy does not save anyone. However, it can preserve and nurture a social and cultural environment in which those who are saved can practice their faith freely, and those who are not saved can experience, observe, and inquire about the hope that is within us.

For reflection
1. The goal of policymaking is to bring good to the people, not to save policymakers. Why is it important to keep this in mind as we work on public policy matters?

2. But we must always be ready to explain our views and give a reason for the hope that is within us (1 Pet. 3.15). Can we hope to do so without a firm grounding in the Law of God and all His Word? Explain.

3. Are there any current matters of public policy that you would like to be more engaged in?

Next steps—Preparation: Pick an issue of public policy. Outline a perspective on this issue that is based in God’s Law and all His Word. What good would come to the society as a whole if this policy were widely adopted?

T. M. Moore

What is the place of the Law of God in the Christian’s life? Our book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, answers this question and shows us again why Jesus taught us that keeping the Law is an indispensable part of our calling in God’s Kingdom. Order your free copy of The Ground for Christian Ethics by clicking here.

Support for ReVision comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.