As my few faithful readers may have noticed, I have recently developed a serious theological crush on the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Earlier this year, I had a crush on the late English Dominican Herbert McCabe and last year I was “totally into” John Zizioulas. I know that I am not the only one who develops crushes on theologians. So, let’s have it, who is your latest crush? Don’t be shy, c’mon, let’s hear it. Note: it doesn’t have to be strictly theologians, but let’s stick to authors.
About a year ago a man walked up to me in the parking lot of a grocery store and asked me if I knew whether I was saved. I thought about it for a second and responded, “Well, no, I don’t think I really have much choice in the matter.” He, of course, reminded me that I do in fact have a choice in the matter, so he handed me a tract with a prayer on it. He informed me that if I say this prayer I will know that I will be saved from the pit of hell. I told him that I wasn’t so sure that we could decide such matters, and that it is more likely that God makes these decisions.
For the architects of the modern nation-state Christianity was a private affair. In his “A Letter Concerning Toleration,” John Locke distinguishes “exactly the business of civil government from that of religion.” Giving a reason for establishing the right boundaries between the functions of the church and the state, Locke defends, “If this be not done, there can be no end put to the controversies that will be always arising between those that have, or at least pretend to have, on the one side a concernment for the interest of men’s souls, and on the other side, a care of the commonwealth.” Hence, it is assumed that the Church’s interests are primarily (if not exclusively) “men’s souls.” The care of the commonwealth is, thereby, placed in the hands of the state. The purpose of which is for “procuring, preserving, and advancing” civil interests, that is, according to Locke, “life, liberty, health, and indolency of body; and the possession of outward things, such as money, lands, houses, furniture, and the like….” He asserts, “All the life and power to true religion consist in the inward and full persuasion of the mind; and faith is not faith without believing.” In Locke’s view, the “power of the civil government relates only to men’s civil interests, is confined to the care of the things of this world, and hath nothing to do with the world to come. We here echoes of this type of language in contemporary American politics- Enter Mitt Romney:“Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions,” he pledged. “Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.” I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law…” I find this stuff so fascinating. It is always good to know that for our politicians America comes before God. It is a good reminder for all of this holiday season to make sure that Jesus stays in his rightful place -as a stocking stuffer that is.
