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[Revolution]

What are your thoughts on the politicization of Christianity? I just finished reading American Theocracy which talks about the relationship between Christianity and American politics and culture. I was curious though to hear from some Christians regarding their thoughts about the intersection of Christianity and politics. Do you believe theology should be the main guiding principle when crafting policy? Do you think that the relationship between Christianity and politics in America has been mostly positive, mostly negative, or do you have a different take on it entirely?

[jimwalton]

Always a recipe for trouble.

> Do you believe theology should be the main guiding principle when crafting policy?

No, reason and wisdom should be. We are a pluralistic society. Now, there may be many times when reason, wisdom, morality, and theology are the same course. But theology should not be the guiding star. Nor should it be excluded from the discussion.

> Do you think that the relationship between Christianity and politics in America has been mostly positive, mostly negative, or do you have a different take on it entirely?

For the founders, their orientation to Christianity motivated them to craft a reasonable govt of the people, by the people, and for the people. Their relationship to Christianity motivated them to construct what have been reasonable rules about freedom, morality, and rights. It's been excellent. But there's always wisdom in the separation of Church and State, which has been fairly well exercised until the last, say, 80 years, when there has been a concerted effort to define "establishment" as "any expression of religion." It's not what the founders had in mind.