Christians and Social Issues

I may have posted this in the past, I don’t know. But here’s my personal algorithm for dealing with social issues and political ideologies as a Christian.

1. Always deal with people in terms of Jesus’ command to love neighbor and enemy, Christian and non-Christian. With this, practice what Paul and Peter both say about being civil toward outsiders, respectful toward political authority, and keeping with amoral social norms to avoid bringing contempt upon the Christian community. But always remember that individuals coming to Christ and wishing to do what the New Testament says is a far more likely mode of creating Christians than simply enforcing laws from the top.
2. Secondly, study what Scripture and Christian tradition say about the issue at hand and weigh the issue on three levels:
   1. ought I participate in this activity?
   2. ought Christians participate in this activity?
   3. ought society participate in this activity?
3. Third, based on your own political preferences (I’m emotionally anarchical, but on the rational level I understand the need for government and appreciate what it does), opinions, options, theories about what is good for society, and government structures determine if it is wise to take part in publicly opposing this or that action or policy or whether or not it is wise to carry on with being and making disciples.