I wanted to address the question “Why am I bothering to comment on US political matters?” Well, I was asked that question, or a version of it by someone. In fact they were concerned not so much about me but a perception that British Christians were too obsessed with internal US matters that weren’t our concern from gun control to the weather. Well my response was along these lines.
“I’m sure people have a general interest in the US because things hit the news here and become talking points in a way that our news doesn’t normally hit theirs. You might ask why people in the US are interested in our Royal Family. I guess. However, in terms of Christian dialogue, whilst the decisions that US states make about gun law or health care are none of my business, they can become my business as a UK citizen and as a UK pastor whe:
1. People in the US use the UKsituation in order to further their arguments. E.g by. Comparing gun crime to knife crime or commenting on the NHS.
2. Because that then gets drawn upon here in the UK by people building their arguments for what happens here and should happen here.
3. When there is an impact on people we know and care about. We may have friends in the States, connections to Canada, Mexico etc.
4. When Evangelical thought leaders, looked up to here begin to articulate a political position relying on interpretation of God’s word that is open to question.
5. We may also, I guess by way of analogy talk about a near neighbour in order to address issues at home as the prophets at times did (see e.g. Obadiah).
Faithroots 