Faith and Politics

Originally Posted by Peter Debelak

Given how delicate Christian as Christian involvement in politics is, it seems far easier to damage Christ’s testimony than to advance it. That’s why, I advocate for leaving His name out of it, even while engaging passionately in politics. You can still get your “issue” passed, but you might avoid sullying Christ’s testimony in the process.

Am I any closer to clarity here?

1Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Couple of questions:

1. When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on behalf of the civil rights movement did he speak “as the oracles of God”?
2. Was God glorified in the civil rights movement?
3. Did the application of Jesus word by the Civil rights movement result in God being glorified?
4. Was the dominion of Jesus Christ manifested during the civil rights movement?

1PetMore 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

5. Would you say that the bombing of the church in Alabama, the assassination of Medgar Evers, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and many other events during the civil rights battle could be described as “a fiery trial”?
6. Is it fair to say that these ones suffering of these trials could be described as “being partakers of Christ’s suffering”?
7. Was Christ’s glory revealed during the civil rights movement?

Now suppose the civil rights movement had been conducted in a way in which no one quoted the Bible or referenced God. Supposed they had 'left the name of Jesus Christ out of it so that they wouldn't sully his testimony.' Could you still say that they “spoke as the oracles of God”? Could you still say “God was glorified”? Could you still say that “they were partakers of Christ’s suffering”?