Public Policy: Advancing God's Kingdom
Christianity is an essential component of public policy; it remains the oldest surviving testament of political history—containing eternal truths that have since proven to be prophetic and directly applicable in contemporary polity. Christianity relies on Scripture for intrinsic guidance, used to preclude internal conflict and impose moral obligations on those who place their faith fully into developing a relationship with God. The New Testament (NT) does not decree that all men should be legislated by government to be Christians—instead the NT restrains the depraved intentions of each man, and limits every Christian’s jurisdiction to an enumerated doctrine.
Neglecting to observe these limitations results not in punishment, but a distancing from God. He is always here, but also gives us time to come to terms with our own stubbornness. Christians inherently rely on God for all aspects of existence; including legislating policy, contending issues, and civic representation. Christian policymakers are bound by the same eternal laws of nature; thus Christianity is essential to public policy. Christians are not distressed by the potentiality of self-censorship over their beliefs; no man can inhibit a believer from the values, morality, and reverence for the Lord.
Advancing God’s Kingdom
Congressional term limits are essential to the advancement to the word of God and The Great Commission that all disciples are tasked. Limiting Congress’s self-interests is a civic victory to be inherited for posterity. Robert D. Orr (1917–2004) notes that in all Abrahamic religions, imago Dei, Latin for the “image of God,” remains an acknowledged value central to each doctrine, leading to “similar positions on matters of public policy,” (Orr, R., pp. 201, 202). Orr opines “[a] less extreme view of postmodernism adheres to a Christian orthodoxy but allows room for continued conversation with other worldviews that have in the past been judged as competing with or even mutually exclusive from Christianity,” (Orr, R., p. 202). Robert Orr reveals the horrors of both Christendom and a Laissez-faire approach, acknowledging the detriment to both absolute positions; Orr cites John Stott, (1921–2011); who believes in “persuasion by argument,” (Orr, R., p. 202). Stott’s reasoning is that “[b]ecause God is who he is, we cannot be indifferent when his truth and law are flouted, but because man is who he is, we cannot try to impose them by force,” (Stott, 1984, pp. 43–57); (Orr, R., p. 202). Robert Orr does not fully embrace Stott’s position, concluding that “[t]his approach [Stott’s] might encourage argumentation about public policy from a perspective of consequences rather than right versus wrong; from prudence rather than morality,” (Orr, R., p. 202).
Congressional Terms Limits Better Serves People
Congressional term limits promote the traditional American values conducive to the Christian doctrine; evident by three accounts: first—exalting the duties to His Kingdom above their own interests; second—loving thy neighbor as thyself, thus trust must be placed in ; third—an opportunity to fully place their faith in God’s presence. No man is capable of himself fixing government; yet all men are capable of remaining obedient unto the Lord. Christian doctrine is not Christendom; rather a level of awareness that God exists. Incumbent politicians utilize the incumbency advantage to remain in power; forming self-interested factions under the pretext of a a caucus of representation. Grattan T. Brown contends on healthcare that “Policy debate often frames the issues of conscientious objection in health care in terms of self-interest;” Brown explains these fallacious justifications “ignores the fact that medical professionals are genuinely interested in the good of their patients and of society as well as the good of their own
medical practice and personal integrity,” (Brown, G., p. 48).
As Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) wrote, of the Governour as the Leviathan, taking that comparison “out of the two last verses of the one and fortieth of Job; where God having set forth the great power of Leviathan, called him King of the Proud,” (Hobbes, T., p. 325). Hobbes reminds us that “because he is mortall, and subject to decay, as all other Earthly creatures are; and because there is that in heaven, (though not on earth) that he should stand in fear of, and whose Lawes he ought to obey,” (Hobbes, T., p. 325).
The Apostle Paul was granted a thorn in his flesh to torment him, thus keeping him from becoming conceited; Paul referred to this thorn as “a messenger of Satan,” (1 Cor 12:6,7). Paul’s recount reveals God’s intention; “[t]hree times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Corinthians 12:7b-10; NIV). Congressional term limits support the Biblical principle of impediments; catapulting the passions of legislators to be remembered for contributing to the betterment of society.
In Scripture, Job asked how to combat the Leviathan, coming to similar conclusions that are imposed over contemporary citizens today. Civilians willing to rely on the government are likely to discover their interests are inferior to government initiative. As Job scribed, “Can you catch Leviathan with a hook or put a noose around its jaw? Can you tie it with a rope through the nose or pierce its jaw with a spike? Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity? Will it agree to work for you, to be your slave for life?” (Job, 41:1-4 (NLT). Job recognized the depravity of authority unchecked, scribing that the “Leviathan makes the water boil with its commotion. It stirs the depths like a pot of ointment,” (Job 41:31; NLT). But it was Isaiah who prophesied the solution to defeating the Leviathan—through faith Isaiah scribed that [i]n that day, the LORD will punish with his sword —his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.” (Isaiah 27:1; NIV). Imposing Congressional term limits will, “[crush] the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him,” (Psalms 74:14; NLT). God is the omnipotent master of authority.
Congressional Term Limits Will Inherently Change Behavior
Congress will change its behavior under the condition of term limits; thereby striving to achieve more in the short span of their incumbency; rather than spreading out the execution of political agenda beyond the span of their life. Politicians should strive to eliminate crises, rather than stoking fires and delivering water; thus synthesizing a counterfeit value. Constituents are polarized and segregated into districts by gerrymanders; rather than presupposing equality and assuring voters representation. Princeton University’s Gerrymandering Project contends that “[i]n the case of gerrymandering, the t-test can determine how similar the winning vote shares are for the districts won by Democrats to those for districts won by Republicans,” (Princeton).
Pew Research Center released a report from 2023 citing that, “Christians make up 88% of the voting members of the new 118th Congress…only a few percentage points lower than the Christian share of Congress in the late 1970s,” (PewResearch). Pew Research released another poll from January 2021, citing a “twelve year turnover rate,” whereby “72% of House members and 65% of senators were new since the start of the 111th Congress in January 2009,” (PewResearch). The data indicates the liberty to vote against the incumbency advantage does not omit a demand for morality in those desiring to represent the constituency.
The Christian doctrine does not exalt any man above another; instead, all power and authority falls obedient to Christ. Congress is a body representative of the constituency; peers who share a passion for upholding morality and justice in government. Career politicians must abdicate their empire of expectations each election cycle, precluding incumbent pol from forgetting their own mortality, and denouncing the anthropomorphizing of Congress to bear a responsibility as the Leviathan for ensuring their re-election. As it is written through John “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” (John 4:24; ESV); so must also Congress adhere to Christian principles, and acknowledge their obligation to objective morality.
Congressional Term Limits Exceed the Market’s Provisions
Congressional term limits provide an assurance of honesty that the market itself cannot provide. Honesty and morality are nonrenewable assets; thus, they must be mindfully curated. Politicians are inherently dishonest, accentuated by their fallen state; therefore, the imposition of Congressional term limits will force those campaigning for Congress to consider what they can contribute to the political economy, rather than what existing problems they will acknowledge without solutions whilst under their incumbency. Congressional term limits exceed the potentiality of the market’s provisions by enabling an invaluable value that is morality; a concept perverted by power. Incumbent politicians often operate under the assumption that whatever is overlooked can be readdressed the following annual Congress—believing it unlikely they will be removed from office. An indefinite congress is a bureaucracy, thus obstructing representation from the constituent.
Conclusion
Congress should be limited in its autonomy, yielding its authority unto God. This does not advocate Christendom, nor a Laissez-faire approach—rather it indicates a need for a Christian persuasive argument, id est the application of eternal truth when considering the limiting the authority of Congress. Constituents ought to be granted the opportunity to place the foundation of their faith in God—not demagogues.
Bibliography
Brown, G.T. (Accessed on April 29th, 2024). Discovery and Revelation: The Consciences of Christians, Public Policy, and Bioethics Debate, Christian bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality, Volume 18, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 41–58, https://doi.org/10.1093/cb/cbs003
Hobbes,T. (1651). Leviathan. True Sign Publishing House. Kindle Edition.
Orr, R., (Accessed on April 27th, 2024). The Role of Christian Belief in Public Policy, Christian bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality, Volume 13, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 199–209, https://doi.org/10.1093/13803600701473489
PewResearch. (Accessed on April 29th, 2024). The Religious Composition of the 118th Congress. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/01/03/faith-on-the-hill-2023/
PewResearch. (Accessed on April 29th, 2024). Congressional Seats Often Turn Over, Despite Some Longtime Members | Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/06/09/some-members-of-congress-have-been-there-for-decades-but-seats-typically-change-hands-more-frequently/
Princeton. (Accessed on April 29th, 2024). Gerrymandering Project: Info. Princeton University. https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/info/