John D Manwell's Blog

With just seven months until the general election in the UK, it is clear to many that there is a battle developing in the field of ideas. Maybe we could go further and suggest that there is a battle for the very soul of the nation?  Earlier in the year our Prime Minister seemed to touch a nerve when he commented that this is a Christian country. This immediately drew squeals of reaction from the atheist commentators who kick against any reference to faith in any of our national governance. Equally, those who disagree with the current government challenged the Christian credentials of the Prime Minister to be able to make such a statement. Perhaps we should use the comments of David Cameron to open up discussion and debate?

Whatever our political opinion or faith position, or secular atheism, the immovable historic fact is that this nation has been especially shaped by Christian thinking over the past several hundred years. This lends us an opportunity to start conversations and get people thinking. I believe that it is more than a mere opportunity and that there is a pressing crisis which demands input.

Perhaps our freedoms and generally stable national life are a consequence of Christian thinking – within all parts of the political spectrum? Perhaps the Biblically informed approach to respecting life, property, government, local authority, education and the family is a major factor in why we have a  country which people want to immigrate to? It is ironic that the Judeo-Christian teaching on offering hospitality to the vulnerable and alien amongst us is the original basis of welcoming people from all nations, and now Christian thinking is being sorely challenged by many of the very people who have enjoyed the privileges of freedom and peace. Indeed it is Christian thinking that should shape the care for the vulnerable, for the equipping of the uneducated, and envisioning for the hopeless. This is why I passionately believe that Christians should be influencing the political landscape. This is not about having a political party which takes an evangelical approach to belief but rather that the case for Biblical thinking is strong, credible and beneficial. The Gospel is a case for truth and right living which has tremendous consequences which are beneficial to all people in our communities, people of all faiths and of none. The principles for family life, community cohesion and national government which are revealed through the Judeo-Christian scriptures are timeless and unmatched. We should all be thinking about how we can prepare to engage and influence the upcoming political debate. We have a lot to offer in the coming seven months which may benefit the coming generation.