Can politics, Christianity mix?
Some people are already calling him man of the people. He is fluent and has provided a fresh face to the Malawian political arena. But Reverend Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s emergence on the political scene has not been without raised eyebrows. Some Christians say as a pastor Chakwera should not dabble in politics. BRIGHT MHANGO asks the question: Is politics not for Christians?
In Matthew 22:21, Jesus said: “…So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Taking Caesar as the political element of the day, did Jesus mean that Christians should differentiate between Caesar and God? Does it mean politics and religion do not mix?
Aspirant for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidency Dr Lazarus Chakwera is a reverend, a respected one at that. He is the current president of the Malawi Assemblies of God and has submitted nomination forms to solidify his political ambitions.
Has Chakwera betrayed Christianity?
Reverend Professor David Mphande is a former lecturer of Old Testament studies and anthropology at Mzuzu University who also joined politics. He is Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkhata Bay South East.
Mphande believes that there are no contradictions between politics and Christianity.
“It is not wrong. I am a retired reverend; I can administer the Eucharist and I am a Member of Parliament. As a reverend, you have to look at both the spiritual and physical aspects of your flock.
“There is a thin line between church and State and Chakwera is not the only one. There have been many men of God who have taken part in politics, people such as Bishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa, Reverend [Jesse] Jackson in America and on the local scene we have Reverend John Chilembwe,” he said.
Mphande said religion does not exist in a vacuum. He cited examples in the Bible to back his assertions. He pointed to Apostle Paul’s direction that Christians should respect those in power.
1 Timothy Chapter 2 reads: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
“Politics is not something that is evil or bad. That is why most of the people that are in politics are Christians or Muslims,” said Mphande.
Charles Gwengwe, in a letter published in the recent edition of The Nation, defended Chakwera’s decision to join active politics.
Gwengwe drew a parallel to the biblical Daniel who, he said, influenced change in the Kingdom of Babylon where Israelites were being held after their exile.
He said God might be raising modern-day Daniels to transform communities.
But wouldn’t a Christian joining politics mean serving two masters with politics widely being viewed as dirty?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)
Garnet Kibombwe, a student at the African Bible University of Uganda, also backed Chakwera and all Christians vying for political positions.
“First of all, politics was instituted by God. Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1-7 highlights the need to submit to the governing authority on the basis that every authority has been established by God. Can God establish something dirty as some people put it?
“The move by Chakwera to join politics is a very welcome idea. I urge Malawians to support him. I also encourage Christians who are called by God in politics to join the band wagon of Chakwera so that they can change the rotten political world.
“Those who are not called in politics should support those who are showing interest in politics. The support must be in terms of encouragement, prayer, constructive advice and voting for them,” said Kibombwe.
