MPs are ignorant about true Christianity

The vital and crucial need of our time is for gospel revival, for churches to experience more of the power of God at work in their midst, both in maturing the faith of believers, but also in saving sinners.

In his first letter, the Apostle Peter says that judgement begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and I’m convinced that in these strange, uncertain times, God is manifestly at work. He is refining us, shaping us, cleansing us and reminding us of our deep dependence on Him.

Yet 2020 has also highlighted that the evangelical church is not just on the fringe of society, we are way down the priority list as far as government is concerned. We merited not even one mention in Prime Ministerial press conferences. Total ignorance among Ministers about true Christianity is the order of the day. Whatever was left of our Christian heritage has long since vanished. Secularism and indifference, if not outright hostility, has taken over.

It’s been encouraging to see Christians respond to this challenge. In September, 700+ church leaders signed an open letter to the prime minister, arguing that churches should not be closed again. This was proactive advocacy. When England was sent into Lockdown 2.0, more than 1,300 church leaders wrote to the PM, urging him to allow places of worship to continue holding Covid-secure services.

This level of active engagement with government by evangelical churches is welcome. But if we want to be taken seriously, we cannot simply engage with government when our own freedoms are at risk. It needs to be a consistent part of our wider witness as a church. Some are part of denominations and can of course work within those structures. But independent churches need not sit on the sidelines. By working together with others, non-conformists can raise their voice and make sure they are heard.

The rationale for encouraging this deeper level of political engagement flows from a desire to serve the common good. It reflects a mature view of the doctrine of God’s common grace. And it is based on the fact that God’s ways for society are the best ways. As Christians, we have a better story to tell when it comes to the value of life, supporting the sick and vulnerable, promoting marriage and the family, and upholding freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Yes, gospel work is primary. But it should be held, I think, in a creative tension with our calling to witness to the whole revelation of God’s word and to speak truth to power.

Praise God for the work of groups like Affinity and the FIEC, alongside the Christian Institute and others who help equip churches to engage. CARE has been seeking to provide a clear, Biblical voice into the parliaments and assembly of the UK for more than 35 years. Organisations like CARE and others can be partnered with very easily.

My plea to the evangelical church is to keep making the gospel the priority, but don’t retreat backwards from future political engagement. If we want to be heard, we need to speak out. Britain’s Christian heritage has gone. Evangelicals are an afterthought to the government. If we want to influence our society and help shape legislation, we must speak out more. Our numerical smallness and apparent lack of influence is no barrier to God’s ability to take what is small and weak and accomplish great things. May God revive us and enable us to stay rightly engaged in advocacy in the coming months and years.