The Archbishop of Canterbury warned against political partisanship last week. Speaking at the August Lambeth Conference of Anglican bushops held at the University of Kent at Canterbury, England, Archbishop Justin Welby warned that Christians must not allow themselves to be “sucked in to supporting governments” Emphasizing the sacred role of the Church, the Archbishop went further to note “Our approach springs from scripture. This is not the church getting involved in politics, it’s the church getting involved in God.”
“In history, in empire, in politics, all too often all churches, not only Anglicans, have got sucked in to supporting governments colluding with injustice and upholding oppression at any and every level.”
Perhaps mindful of the current state of American churches which often invite divisive and ungodly speakers to their pulpits who then preach politics, sedition, hate, various conspiracy theories, and false doctrines Archbishop Welby noted:
“In history, in empire, in politics, all too often all churches, not only Anglicans, have got sucked in to supporting governments colluding with injustice and upholding oppression at any and every level.“
What then is the role of the Church as Welby envisions it? Said the Archbishop:
“The church united is not merely a help to the world; it is the sign of salvation to the transformation of the world. The church humbled and hospitable, generous and full of love, is not just a nice thing to have in society; it points to the kingdom of heaven. . .”
In a nutshell, the Archbishop sees the the Church as “God’s chosen means of shining light in the darkness. . .” And England and Anglicans aside, there is a very present darkness in the U.S. at the moment, whether from moral depravity, sexual/gender ambiguity, cultural chaos, rampant violence and lawlessness, indifference to evil and from just plain old sin.
Archbishop Welby concluded by noting:
“The strength of many churches that grow – grow deeper and grow in numbers – is that everyone knows the Gospel and can say something about their own testimony of their love and meeting with Jesus Christ. They may not be eloquent, their theology may be slightly crude, but when they speak from the heart, others listen and their transformed lives illustrate their words. It is essential throughout the churches of the communion that everyone understands themselves to be witnesses because they are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.”
It is the power of the Word and the ministry of the Spirit which can transform lives and save not only England, but America as well. We’re called to be wittnesses, not for one political candidate, one political ideology or one political party, but for Jesus Christ whose Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36.) We cannot legislate revival and salvation with a Democratic Congress or with a Republican President. Now more than ever, this message should resonate, must compel us to return to our First Love. America is being torn apart at the seams. What are you doing about it, Pilgrim?