There was a time when in Burundi political affiliation was seen as something that betrayed the very sense of piety and separation from the world that should characterize a spiritual Christian. Then came a "born again" government in 2005 and the pendulum swung to the other side where God's children must do politics. Today it has become commonplace to marry politics and religion. Would such a shift be indicative of a mature Church or should I lament an apostasy?

Sometimes I want to probe what ideology or theology would have informed and influenced such a change but unfortunately that is not part of what I set out to explore today. My goal is to find a middle ground that would do justice to the biblical truth that the Church is in the world" without being "of this world». By doing so, I hope to briefly and modestly prove the insightful truth contained in this sentence “Christianity and Politics are not two same things and confusing them could lead to terrible distortions. But cutting all ties between the two would lead to serious and worse distortions." (1)

The Pastor's #1 priority

I believe that it is important to maintain that the primary mission of the Church is to bring people into right relationship with God through Word and Spirit. Sometimes a pastor would focus almost exclusively on social justice and political action in such a way that the Church's Great Commission of proclaiming repentance and forgiveness to all nations sometimes seems to be downplayed. This is a sad fact that has been observed in this country for some years. I fear that in the near future, the Church of Burundi will be subject to more and more external pressure which will divert her from its main mission. Shall we stand? It is tragic to forget that politics even when done by Christians can only be a bandage on the wound that will never eradicate the source of man's misery: Sin.

If I obviously appear to be against the "socialization" and the "politicization" of the mission of the Church, I do not deny that the Gospel necessarily has enormous repercussions which are of a social and political nature. True evangelism will surely affect every aspect of human life and will never ignore human suffering. I argue with Carl Henry that "The gospel contains more than an assurance of divine forgiveness and new life. The gospel bears the seed of human dignity and freedom." (2) We have historical examples of people like William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King who had a strong will to give public testimony of freedom and justice in front of cruel, unjust rulers. Their fearless courage confounds us, humbles us and inspires us. But the question still remains: how can the Church fulfill its cultural mandate without betraying the very essence of the Great Commission which is the proclamation of the Gospel?

The Church in fulfilling its cultural mandate

I would like to suggest three ways in which the Church can play a role in the political life of the country without betraying its main mission which is the proclamation of the Gospel.

Reaffirming our top priority

As the Church fulfills its call to socio-political engagement through these three means, it is always paramount to reiterate again and again the priority of evangelism and conversion above any other social or political reform. It is possible to get lost along the way, even when we started so well. It has already happened.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a German pastor who had the courage to face Hitler's regime and who was killed by the Nazis. Nevertheless he could say, "Telling men that the cause is urgent, that the kingdom of God is at hand, is the most charitable and most merciful act we can do, and the good and joyful news we can bring." (3)The theologian Emil Brunner agrees, saying "The primary task of the Church n is not to create, change and improve the social order. The task of the Church lies beyond any social order, because its task is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom which transcends all social orders, whether good or bad.(4)

For the believer, no government or political party is ultimate. Christians have a common loyalty that transcends their political loyalty, a loyalty to one King and Lord. They are waiting for the One who will come to establish His kingdom of peace, justice and prosperity. They know that in the meantime, everything is, and will remain, imperfect. Their ultimate hope is in Him who will soon come to say: Behold, I make all things new.

(1)Anglican Theological Review, July 1973

(2)Quoted in “Essentials of Evangelical Theology”, p.168 by Donald Bloesch

(3)Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship”, p.188

(4)Op. cit p.155