Are Non-Christians Better at Government

I’ve just started reading the third book in the “Church after Christendom” series:
Faith and Politics After Christendom – The Church as a Movement for Anarchy
by Jonathan Bartley
Without doubt it will inspire me to a few posts over the next week or so, as I read it.

Anyway, to kick off, how about the suggestion that Christians don’t make good governors in this world…

We read in the Bible that God appoints all governments (Rom 13:1). Now to my mind there isn’t a government that doesn’t indulge in a little violence and control (after all, a govt that didn’t wouldn’t be a govt for long!). Bear in mind, this is at the request of the people – after all, if ‘we’ pay taxes, then we’re sure going to make sure that everyone else does too!

At this stage in my reading of the book we see the view (common in the early church) that we are not here to exercise control over people and see to it that criminals are punished.

I tend to agree with that broad perspective – which implies that non-Christians, with less concerns in this area, are very likely to make better governments in secular society.

You may have noticed this tendency in my thinking before

Friends, holiday, and work

Back to work today after two weeks off. We started our holiday in Morcambe as I was doing a Detached training session two weeks ago in Lancaster. The day went well and it reminded me how great committed volunteers can be. I am sure they will establish a strong project.

Three days in Morcombe then across to Doncaster (we know how to holiday!) to see my brother and down to leicestershire for more family. Where we went to Wickstead park and the children went on their first roller coaster. We also bumped into old friends from Brum.

Then a week at home finishing with Lori’s 30ith birthday bash. We had friends come from Birmingham, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Epsom and Nottingham as well as good turn out from locals. It was great so many made the journey and although at times we feel quite isolated here in Somerset I am grateful to have such good friends THANKS to those who made it and those who couldn’t (many of whom I hope to catch up with at the usual trip to Greenbelt). The planned extension to the house is progressing so hopefully by Christmas we will have enough room for people to stay.

Back to work with a bang, but I still have some TOIL (time off in leiu) to take so plan to try and catch up on work but take some more time off around Greenbelt.