"Render unto Caesar..."

The other day at the Capitol I had a pastor who ministers to state legislators tell me: "I don't try to influence legislation. I just don't. Trying to change a man or a society by legislation is like compulsively re-arranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic."

Maybe it's because I am seeing politics from the inside lately, but I am growing increasingly suspicious of legislation and its ability to effect meaningful change in society (It really is like a sausage -- you don't want to see how a law is actually made).

Especially as a Christian, the pastor's comments are resonating with me more and more.

Claes G. Ryn writing for The American Conservative late last summer breathes fire on Christians and conservatives who are inexplicably obsessed with politics as a method to change America's national course. (note: Ryn is himself a conservative Christian). It's worth reading the entire article, but here are a few notable excerpts:

Modern American conservatism has been enthralled by politics. It should be obvious to all by now that this has been a debilitating preoccupation. Society’s long-term direction is not set mainly by politicians. It is set by those who capture a people’s mind and imagination. Conservative politicians and policy wonks have failed to reverse any of the main deleterious social trends of the last half-century not because they have lacked financial resources but because efforts like theirs have limited efficacy in the first place.

(snip)

To recover, American conservatism would have to reorder its priorities and most especially put politics in its place. America’s crisis is at bottom moral-spiritual and cultural. Though a new alliance of homeless political groups is desirable, a realignment would be unavailing in the long run unless the old obsession with politics were also broken. The issues most needing attention will make the eyes of political junkies glaze over.

(snip)

The problem, simply put, was lack of sophistication—an inability to understand what most deeply shapes the outlook and conduct of human beings. Persons move according to their innermost beliefs, hopes, and fears. These are affected much less by politicians than by philosophers, novelists, religious visionaries, moviemakers, playwrights, composers, painters, and the like, though truly great works of this kind reach most minds and imaginations only in diminished, popular form.

(snip)

I know His name gets invoked for all kinds of causes these days, but in reality, this was in many ways the approach of Jesus Christ. He made not one attempt to influence, engage or assume control of the politics of His day. He went straight for our hearts and minds. He knew His Father held the supreme power to transform people -- not Caesar (or your congressman, or a Supreme Court judge, for that matter).

-BC