It was at the height of Jesus’ ministry that a man asked Him to arbitrate a family dispute over inheritance. Back then, most religious leaders were extremely eager to turn such grievances into a cause célèbre from which a new legal precedent could be established.
Even in modern society, there is still no shortage of religious leaders from all faiths who are keen to promote their current affairs punditry, while making moral pronouncements that enhance their social justice credentials.
In fact, it is the prevalence of this zealous desire to weigh in on civil disputes that makes Jesus' reluctance to impose His authority on a secular dispute even more extraordinary.
Why reputation is prioritised over protecting victims
In the four years of writing for Evangelicals Now, the published responses to my articles have been few and far …