Scot McKnight on Political Eschatology

Looking through articles commenting on the election this morning, I found this one by Scot McKnight.

Jesus Creed: Politics and Eschatology

Somewhere overnight or this morning the eschatology of American Christians may become clear. If a Republican wins and the Christian becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that Christian has an eschatology of politics. Or, alternatively, if a Democrat wins and the Christian becomes delirious or confident that the Golden Days are about to arrive, that Christian too has an eschatology of politics. Or, we could turn each around, if a more Democrat oriented Christian becomes depressed and hopeless because a Repub wins, or if a Republican oriented Christian becomes depressed or hopeless because a Dem wins, those Christians are caught in an empire-shaped eschatology of politics.

I can’t imagine 1st Century Roman Christians caught up in some kind of hope whether it would be Nero or Britannicus who would succeed Claudius.

Where is our hope? ...

... Now before I take another step, it must be emphasized that I participate in the election; and I think it makes a difference which candidate wins; and I think from my own limited perspective one candidate is better than the other.

But before I take the next step I’ll say this: if our candidates lose won’t make one bit of a difference for our obligation to follow Jesus today. Not one bit.

Participation in our election dare not be seen as the lever that turns the eschatological designs God has for this world. Where is our hope? November 6 may tell us. ...

... Our hope is in the gospel of God that creates a kind of people that extends God’s gospel to the world. Chris Wright’s big book, The Mission of God, reminds us that election is missional: God creates the people of God not so the people of God can compare themselves to those who are not God’s people, but so that God’s people will become a priesthood in this world to mediate the mission of God, so that all hear the good news that God’s grace is the way forward.

Our hope is in God’s mission in this world, and that mission transcends what happens November 6th.

As I watched this election, my mind had gone back just a few years ago to when left-leaning Christians were preaching about America and Empire. As I follow social media, I see how curious it is to see many of those same Christians who embraced that critique in delirious joy over the inauguration of the latest "Emperor." It confirms much of what I suspected all along. The critique was partisan, not prophetic.

Be sure to read all of McKnight's post. I consider The Mission of God to be one of the top five most important books I've ever read. I strongly resonate with McKnight's post.

What are your thoughts about the election?

Comments

[JMorrow]

I think what you and Scot say are good cautions for us, both in immanetizing the eschaton and in duplicity in our political thinking.

Yet I will say I do know left-leaning Christians who were so concerned about empire, militarism and civil liberties issues that they either hesitantly voted democratic, voted for alternative party candidates or even not at all. I respect that consistency and want to note that there are those who practice it.

I think we have yet to develop the kind of language in the US Church that allows for elections to be consequential, instruments for restraining injustice, and even in some small ways redemptive without being Big "E" Eschatological.

[Michael W. Kruse]

Yes. And I have seen evidence of that consistency. I guess what I'm being struck by is how easy it is for so many to selectively use "prophetic" critique. It waters down our witness when it is used so selectively.

[Tom Hobson]

Michael,
My faith is disturbed by the thought that God would reward what I perceive to be $1 billion worth of lies and hatred done by the winner of this campaign (I realize that some see it differently). If this is loving behavior, do we have permission to reciprocate it? And what does it say about turning the other cheek, to see Americans still blaming Bush for the current mess because Bush followed Jesus and refused to defend himself? These are what shake my faith in the Bible as a reliable guide to ethical behavior. (I know the answer: this life is a test to see if we will do what is right even if we get no positive reinforcement, simply because God tells us to.)
All this has forced me to ask why have I loved America. As Satan accused Job, have I loved it just because of its benefits of freedom and opportunity, and if those are now a thing of the past, what then?
My Biblical model at the moment is Athaliah, who used a crisis to seize power and rule Judah like a Canaanite despot for 7 years. We must remain faithful, no matter who is on the throne.

[Michael W. Kruse]

Thanks for you thoughts, Tom.