Let's get political

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

It's only extremely rarely – in fact it’s literally never – that I use this blog to say anything remotely “political”. There’s plenty of political comment flying around all the time, most of it from people, Christian and otherwise, who are far better qualified than me.

But the election of Rishi Sunak as the new prime minister in the United Kingdom has been such a big moment that I can’t resist the temptation to break my rule. I’m not going to offer an opinion as to whether he’s a good or bad choice, though like all of us I have my views.

But I want to react to one or two remarks I have picked up from fellow-Christians: remarks which reflect concern not because of Mr Sunak’s politics, but because of his religion – he is the first “non-Christian” prime minister in our history.

Is this historic event a worrying watershed in the life of our country? Are we, as a nation, in the process of cutting ourselves further adrift from our Christian heritage? In a nutshell, is this something we as Christians need be concerned about?

Certainly, the choice of Mr Sunak reflects the massive changes we have seen in recent decades: it’s just a fact that we are both a multi-racial and a multi-religious nation – so we might as well get used to it. (In fact, you can’t help wondering if the label “a Christian nation” has been anything more than merely formal for many years.)

True, the late Queen’s funeral was shot through with Christian symbolism and teaching, and no doubt the same will be true of the coronation of King Charles next year. But truly a Christian nation? I really don’t think so.

The original Christian church was born some two thousand years ago against a background of many and varied religions. The most powerful was emperor-worship, reflecting the might of Rome, but in those days you could hardly move for gods, temples, shrines and philosophies (just read about Paul’s experience in Athens: Acts 17:16-34). So the early church had no heritage upon which it could draw – except, of course, that of the Jews, whose Messiah, or King, they had learned to worship.

There was no democracy such as we would recognise today and no mass media, so ordinary people would have had no notion at all of the beliefs or principles of their emperor or governors – no notion, that is, beyond what they themselves experienced in the course of everyday life. Their number one priority would simply be the sheer struggle for survival.

Well, in many ways modern Britain is far more like the world of the New Testament than any kind of “Christian nation”. And it’s against this background that Paul gives his advice to Timothy, his young protégé, which I have quoted above: “kings and those in authority” are to be prayed for. That, in essence, is all that really matters for most of us.

He doesn’t suggest that the first Christians should pray for rulers if they like them or approve of them or agree with them. How would they know anyway? No, they are to pray for them simply because, well, they are the ones with the power. And Paul suggests that it’s in the Christians’ own interests to pray for them, “so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.

How does this apply to us today? Here’s an illustration. If you had to go into hospital for an operation, which would you prefer the surgeon to be, a devout Christian who isn’t really very competent, or an atheist or Muslim or Hindu or whatever who is at the top of their profession? I think that’s what’s known as a no-brainer, isn’t it…?

There is a comparison with many areas of life, including politics. Of course we would be delighted to see the political world full of Spirit-filled and Christlike Christians: of course! But the fact is that it isn’t, so there’s no point in bemoaning the fact.

Surely what we as Christians should be looking and praying for is men and women of principle, seriousness, honesty, integrity, humility – and just plain professional competence.

If this is so, Paul’s words to Timothy remain totally relevant and up to date. Do you and I take them seriously? Do we in fact pray regularly for those who govern us? Or do we lapse into cynicism, which is poison to our souls? - or into pessimism, which is unworthy of a people of hope? - or into an attitude of withdrawal: “I just keep well clear of all that politics stuff”, which is a denial of the teaching of Jesus, who told us to “render to Caesar…”? Shame on us if we do!

Christians will have a full variety of political views, and that’s fine. But all I can say is this: I would far rather have a prime minister who is a sincere Hindu than one who is a non-Christian Christian (if you know what I mean). Wouldn’t you?

Father, we pray for Rishi Sunak and the government he is assembling. Whatever their religious views may be, please lead them to act on our behalf with integrity, honesty and wisdom, remembering that they are answerable to One who is far greater than them. May they, by your grace, bring us through the multiplicity of problems besetting us. Amen.