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.
John D Manwell's Blog 
Democracy Under Judgement
September 30, 2015Presenting British Values document to the Prime Minister’s office January 2015
Early in this past ‘500 day journey’ (during 2014)I believe that I heard the Holy Spirit warning that the very process of democracy would come under His judgement in the United Kingdom and United States from the UK general election in 2015 to the USA general election in 2016. I believe we are watching this happen.
I believe that this is a direct consequence of the way we have abused the God given freedom to choose our leaders and to collectively choose the policies of our nation. This is not simply judgement on the leaders, but we have ALL participated in selfish choices and voted with self interest. Many people have maintained loyalty to a party rather than challenge the status quo.
I believe that God finds it particularly obnoxious when Christians who are part of a different Kingdom are loyal to political parties rather than primarily advocating the perspectives of the Kingdom of God.
The political systems of human ways are limited and partial.
The excesses of capitalism when unrestrained by conscience or fear of God are destructive, greedy and create unacceptable inequality. This is part of what will be judged in the coming economic collapse. The foolishness of socialism rooted in Marxism and secular humanism is also coming to the end of its tracks. The elevation of the state to godhead in the socialist model is also destructive and disconnects people from our own social responsibility. In this the socialist path is coming under judgement from Heaven.
I believe that the diminishing respect for politicians in the UK and USA is a direct consequence of the path we have chosen. One of God’s chosen routes to bring judgement is to give people over to their choices so that the consequences become obvious. This is always ultimately redemptive more than punitive.
I think we are seeing the judgement of God on our systems in our democracies in the UK and USA in the delusionary rise of Jeremy Corbyn and Donald Trump. Both these politicians are rising on a wave of dissatisfaction within a narrow sector of their countries. It is an illusion of something new, but is really is a reflection of how broken the system is. It is time to declare that the emperor has got no clothes!
Meanwhile, the electorates in the UK and USA are more concerned with celebrities, entertainment and sport than the principles of good government. So we either don’t vote or we vote for the party that seems to most protect our short term comfort.
After the coming crisis we will have to rediscover the principle and convictions that shaped our nations or succumb to an even greater evil than we have now.
Tags:Biblical values, democracy, donald trump, end of capitalism, end of socialism, general election, jeremy corbyn, judgement, the emperor has no clothes, united kingdom, United states
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