Biblical Absence

We live in tough times. Many Christians are deeply concerned about our political conditions. Finding good people to run for office is hard. Dealing with the bad ones already in office is hard. The political trends toward less morality and less religious freedom are hard. Times are tough. We are concerned about the economy. We are concerned about an ignorant and even anti-Christian education system. We are concerned about the legal system. We are concerned about police brutality. We are concerned about a rising national immorality. Times are tough, and we're concerned about our world.

Have you ever noticed the glaring absence of something in the Bible? There is precious little about politics. Jesus and the Apostles after Him lived in some of the worst possible times. While we bemoan "unfriendliness" against Christianity, they were looking at prison and execution. Followers of Christ were classified as "atheists" because they didn't believe that Caesar was God. The Jews, the Romans, their families and neighbors were all their enemies. And nothing in the texts appear to address what we consider today some of the biggest problems facing us.

Could it be that we might be concerning ourselves with the wrong things? When Jesus was asked about the oppressive taxes paid to Rome, He answered, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and render to God what is God's." (Mark 12:17) Now, wait, Jesus. Nothing about "No taxation without representation!"? No "These are unfair taxes and we must write our governor about this!"? Where is the stand for human rights? Where's the push for fair treatment of women? Why is there not one, single political commentary in the New Testament? Oh, except for that nasty "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Rom 13:1) We really don't like that one.

God told Israel, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways." (Isa 55:8) Is it possible that we might be spending too much time complaining about our president or our Congress, our laws or rights? The Bible seems to be most concerned about you and your relationship with God. Could it be that we should be more concerned about that than our complaints about how others are treating us unfairly? Could it be our concern should be more for God's purposes and others' welfare?

Questions, you know, just in the absence of biblical content on the subject.