'Providence, Piety and Power' by John Petley (RoperPenberthy Publishing, 2012, 352 pages, available from the publisher for £14.99. Also available from the Telegraph bookshop and from Amazon)

This book, subtitled 'Biblical government and the modern State', argues that religion has a vital role to play in modern political and social affairs. The author, a former political researcher in Brussels, insists on the relevance of Scripture to current problems and maintains there is an overarching divine Providence watching over us and weighing us in the balance.

Biblical Perspective on Politics

Petley's main thesis is to question the size of the State, suggesting it has grown far too large, with a power and influence now well beyond its Biblical mandate. For instance, the belief than more and more state spending will in itself increase wealth and economic growth has led to "a far greater role for the state in managing a nation's economy than the Bible condones" (p241).

The author asks: how much should be entrusted to a State that does not espouse Biblical principles? In answering he often reverts back to Calvin's distinction between spiritual government and political or civil government. He would agree, for instance, that Government is "God's ordained method of restraining evil" (p82), something that is always necessary in a fallen world.

He would also allow the State a role in regulating commerce, to ensure greater fairness and honesty, and that it should legislate to protect the vulnerable in society, but "the actual caring process – feeding the hungry, nursing the sick and dying – is the responsibility of individuals and communities" (p48).

The author asks: how much should be entrusted to a State that does not espouse biblical principles?

Anti-Socialist

He firmly believes in smaller government, one which performs only those functions ordained for it in the Bible, rather than a 'nanny state' in charge from the cradle to the grave. The author is very much against socialism, something to be aware of when approaching his book. He claims that "the fundamental principles that undergird socialism are totally at odds with the Bible" (p173) and admits that "this book argues strongly that Christianity and socialism are incompatible" (p205).

Overall, his verdict on socialism's big state is one of constant failure as it is built upon a rejection of Biblical teaching. So - be prepared for political bias and controversial statements!

Petley has a strong anti-socialist agenda, and is a firm believer in small government.

Christian Worldview

But the author has genuinely looked for a Biblical perspective in current affairs and thoughtfully considered the development of Christian political thinking down the ages in order to use it as a yardstick for today. The first half of the book largely attempts to develop a Christian worldview, and considers how departures from historic Christianity (for example, deism) have affected political thinking in the past.

There is also great relevance to the debate on Europe and EU membership, and to some extent he has foreseen (in 2012) the shake-up of the political landscape that is now emerging.

Christian Voices in Politics

In concluding, he stresses the urgent need for the Christian voice to be heard again in the political arena, and adds some advice on how to get involved. He explains he wrote this book to "inspire Christians to work actively towards a government in their nation that will be characterised by that righteousness which comes through obedience to the Word of God" (p332).

Here is a book on a fascinating area that many Christians don't consider enough or think through in detail. He may not always persuade you, but you will become better informed.

Here is a book on a fascinating area – he may not always persuade you, but you will become better informed.

'Build houses!' That is the cry of politicians today in the run-up to the General Election. Each of the political parties is pledging to build more houses. But why the sudden rush?

The Conservative Party said they would build 100,000 new houses, so the Labour Party said they will build 200,000 houses and the Lib Dems capped them all by saying that they will build 300,000 new houses.¹ Why is all this rush to build more houses?

None of the politicians like to admit it, but there are two reasons why we need so many new houses. The first is family breakdown; and the second is immigration.

Politicians don’t like speaking about either of these issues. But it is a plain statement of truth. 450 children in every 1000 suffer the traumatic experience of family breakdown before they leave school.² Every family that splits creates the demand for more houses.

Wise Advice

This is just a little glimpse of the huge social problems in our nation today. But the demand for more houses is not new. “Build houses!” This was the first piece of advice sent to the people who had been captured in Jerusalem and taken to Babylon in 596 BC. The people were utterly depressed and saw no hope for the future. They were forced to live in a hostile environment where they had nothing in common with their neighbours – they didn’t even speak the same language or worship the same God.

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles saying:

Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. (Jer 29:5-6)

This was wise advice because the little community in Babylon could very quickly have been wiped out. Jeremiah wanted to see a strong and vibrant community of people, whose faith would not only survive the testing times in which they lived but would grow and mature. He foresaw the time when the faith of these people would be so attractive that their neighbours would want to embrace it. In the words of Isaiah they would become “a light for the Gentiles” (Isa 42:6).

Change of Attitude

For this to happen, the exiles in Babylon had to change their attitude towards their neighbours and the city where they were now living. Jeremiah’s letter also told them that God’s word to them was:

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jer 29:7)

Jeremiah knew that the people would hate to hear this message so he added by way of emphasis, “Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says” (Jer 29:8).

Learning to Prosper

In Britain today we are not facing the brutal opposition the Jews faced in Babylon. But Christianity is no longer the religion of the whole nation and the church no longer has a privileged position. We have to learn to be careful how we express our faith and not to provoke unnecessary opposition. The older generation of Christians need to heed the advice of Jeremiah to the exiles: to learn to prosper in a changed social environment.

In particular, older Christians have to learn how to support their children and grandchildren who live and work and study alongside others who have no knowledge of the Christian faith and who do not share the same values.

Building Households of Faith

Mature Christians have to build houses: but not with bricks and mortar. It is ‘households of faith’ (Gal 6:10) that are needed – households where there is love and security for all members of the family, especially the young ones who may be the only Christian child in their school class. These children have to learn how to be different but still maintain friends. It is not easy for them and they need much tender loving care.

"Those who build 'households of faith' are the greatest asset to this nation today"

Praying, caring parents and grandparents who build houses, ‘households of faith’ for the whole family, are the greatest asset in the nation today. They are the house-builders who will provide ‘a hope and a future’ (Jer 29:11) for the next generation.

References

1 Manifesto watch: Where parties stand on key issues, BBC News, 25 February 2015
2 Cockerell, J. UK in family breakdown ‘epidemic’, The Independent, 29 December 2012

The current election promises to be one of the closest – and most important – in a generation. Polls have been remarkably consistent for a long time, all predicting a ‘Hung Parliament’. How have we got here?

Why No Clear Winner?

Surely the Conservatives ought to have won an overall majority in 2010 against a weak and ineffective Labour administration that had run out of steam – and thus ought to be able now to win a second term outright. Conversely, why have Labour been unable to position themselves as a Government-in-waiting, as in 1995-7, given the Coalition’s rather modest achievements?

Motivating Voters

An important factor in winning an election is the degree to which voters can be motivated and engaged. Reviewing the key achievements of the last five years of the Conservative/LibDem Coalition, it is hard to see much to praise from a biblical standpoint. Modest progress has been made to reduce the deficit, and although many more people have a job than five years ago, we should not ignore the reality that Chancellor Osborne has been as addicted to debt as was Chancellor Brown.

Coalition’s Record

The deficit is less than it was five years ago, but the National Debt is vastly higher. Some disincentives to work and bureaucratic control over education have been reduced. However, from a biblical perspective, the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013 and the non-binding vote on recognising Palestine are of great concern. Both are symptomatic of the change in values that characterise 'modern' Britain today: the abandonment of traditional Judaeo-Christian understandings of sexuality and personal behaviour, and the rejection of Israel, both in favour of humanistic values and worldview.

A Good Manifesto

Political manifestoes are intended to set out what a party will do in office. A good manifesto will state the sort of policies that the party will seek to implement. Some party manifestoes reflect timeless values; others seek to reflect changes in society. Given the huge changes in the past decade we should not be surprised that the main party manifestoes are quite similar and reflect humanism rather than traditional Judaeo-Christian values.

The Present Manifestoes

Of the major parties, the Liberal Democrats have the most humanistic manifesto, but the Conservatives’ and Labour’s are also essentially humanistic. The Green Party’s values are a mixture of humanism and paganism. The SNP’s values combine humanism with nationalism; whereas UKIP’s combine nationalism with traditionalism. None of the major parties show any concern for biblical values.

Political Chaos

The key reason for the present political impasse is that our politicians have pursued a humanistic agenda, while neglecting the biblical values that were at least acknowledged by former generations of politicians. A measure of God’s judgement on us as a nation will be a change from the two-party stability that 'first past the post' gives to us, to a chaotic situation after 7 May in which the only two parties that can form a coalition together will be the Conservatives and Labour. In such a scenario government will be very difficult indeed, with each vote potentially requiring its own coalition to enable it to be passed.

Judgement

While such a scenario might be the natural end for a campaign without a clear winner, it should also be seen as judgement by God on a country and in particular on a parliament that has been greatly blessed by him in times past but which has rejected him, his word, and his values.

Such a scenario does not take into account the wider global situation and the likelihood of a multi-dimensional crisis affecting us all and requiring an urgent Government response. What will it be? Will it be humanistic, or can it be more in line with biblical values? The challenge will be for Christians both to pray and to witness actively in the public square, before the election and beyond.