In the booklet Youth Speaks on Calvinism, the author of the chapter entitled “The Calvinist as a Citizen”, contends that the principle of Calvinism must be applied to the political sphere as well as to all other spheres. He believes that history proves the possibility of working out such a program.
In 1878 Dr. A. Kuyper recognized the political program in the Anti-revolutionary Party and again Calvinism became successfully operative on the political scene. The author continues to say that this shows that Calvinism can be applied to the political problems of a modern age. Kuyper raised Calvinism to a national level and showed that a minority of Calvinists can be a great influence on the national scone. The article continues to say that the only requirement necessary to make Calvinism effective in politics is for the Calvinist to apply his beliefs.
Calvinism has tremendous possibilities for our age. America is now the leader of the western world and never before has Calvinism in America had such an opportunity to be a world-wide influence.
We must now translate this opportunity into action.
There is a need for Calvinistic politics today. Politics is often disgusting, secular, worldly, and rotten.
For Calvinism to become effective in 20th century politics the author mentions at least two things which are needed.
The first is a Calvinistic philosophy in modern terms, related to modern problems.
The second thing necessary is to have individual Calvinists who are willing to be active and work out the philosophy.
The writer also contends that we must make use of the facilities we have. We must be influential through our writing first of all.
Calvin College, he says, offers a fine place to begin. The student should be taught to understand for himself and to express to others, the relation between Calvinism and modern politics.
Political action as such, on both national and local level is the duty of all of us. This means voting, exercising our political influence, and going into politics. The number does not count but the enthusiasm. Voting is the least that can be expected of us. We should also remember that we should vote for the man, not the party.
However a Calvinist can do much more. The charge that Christianity and Politics do not mix has been proven false by Kuyper and Colijn in the Netherlands and in our own country by such men as Garret Heyns and others. A Calvinist entering politics will find that honesty and conviction are still at a premium.
So, briefly, the summary of this article, “The Calvinist as Citizen.”
The author of this article tries to prove that Calvinism and Politics do harmonize. He claims that history proves the fact that Calvinism entered successfully into politics; for instance, during the 17th century and also when in 1878 Dr. A. Kuyper organized the Anti-revolutionary Party.
These instances were, first of all, questionable as to their success and, if granted successful, the fact that they worked in the Netherlands surely proves nothing when applied to this country, for surely Dr. A. Kuyper fell victim to his own success. Before he entered the political scene he was known for the soundness of his Reformed Faith and regarded highly for his sound doctrinal policies. But after entering politics he found and met many problems. He found problems because of his close contact with the world and his only solution for these problems was the Common Grace theories which he developed to the point where they stand today in the Christian Reformed Church.
The problem to the author is that people do not manifest Calvinism outwardly. He points out that it is the Calvinist’s duty to enter into politics. It is his duty and obligation to vote as a Calvinistic Citizen in this world, he contends.
In answer to this we cannot find such a calling whatsoever in the light of Scripture namely for the Calvinist to enter into Politics. In fact it is impractical and almost impossible. For a Calvinist to enter in politics means that he must firmly contend at all times for his beliefs and ideals as a Christian. He must always say, “Thus saith the Lord.” This we all can see is quite foolish and impractical in the Political world in which we live today.
As to our duty to vote; what really happens when we go to the polls for an election? We try to make a choice between two candidates and cast our ballot for the lesser of two evils. We ask this question, Is it our calling or duty to do this?
To sum up the entire matter we believe it is inconsistent with the command to be a “separate people” and to “come out from among them” for us as Christians to enter active politics in this country. It is simply impossible to consistently live, testify and act the part of a sincere Christian and cooperate with the politicians such as we have here. Only by camouflaging our principles or glossing over our convictions by compromise would this in any way be possible. To go a step further we can even question whether a Christian pray vote for men whose principles and convictions are not in harmony with God’s Word.
We do not consider it our calling nor do we find any mandate in Scripture as to our participation in politics except to obey the powers that be and to give due honor to all in authority for God’s sake.