Political Salvation

I have recently heard from more than one friend the opinion that politics is at best a necessary evil in the life of a Christian, and preferably one to be avoided. This is foolishess. I refuse to discuss whether the salvation of men's souls is more important than their political salvation--I think that answer self-evident--what interests me is whether "political salvation" is possible, and if so, desirable.

Frankly, I think it is both.

As a Christian, what are our duties?


"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

The second commandment is the one that interests us here. Loving our neighbor is going to require learning how to live with him in peace--namely, it is going to require politics--and to carry out Christ's commandment well, we must have and study good politics. There is really no escaping it.

Freedom and law are great goods, well endorsed by the words of God and men both. It is childish and delusional to disregard an entire area of human life devoted to them and to think we are living well.

Yes, Hillsdale children, I'm looking at you.