If we’re talking about changing a society that yields most painfully to change, we are really talking about being good stewards not only in our vocations, but in the public realm.  The important decisions in our time – whether there will be peace or war, freedom or totalitarianism, racial equality or discrimination, homophilia or homophobia, food or famine – all these are political decisions.  To Christians, political decisions are not at the center of their faith; they are at the periphery of their faith.  But without a periphery there can be no center.  A center without a periphery is a contradiction in terms.  Together, faith in Jesus Christ and political application of that faith form one unbroken circle.

When to stress their distinction and when to stress their unity depends almost entirely on the situation.  Not every political issue of the day demands a decision from the churches, and I feel strongly that churches should not pursue political goals that are self-serving or parochial.  I hate to see Chrstians try to legislate their convictions on divorce or abortion into state or federal law.  I hate to see Christians fight to establish Sunday blue laws, or try to keep creches on public greens, or prayer in and evolution out of public schools.

But I love to see Chrstians enter the fray on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged, to fight for housing for low-income families, for decent health care for the aging, for fair treatment for minorities, for peace for everyone – provided they always remember that there are many causes and more than one solution to problems of injustice and war.  Most of all, in these times that are neither safe nor sane, I love to see Christians risk maximum fidelity to Jesus Christ when they can expect minimal support from the prevailing culture.  I have in mind what the prophet Nathan did to King David – he spoke truth to power. (147-148)

William Sloane Coffin.  Credo.  Louisville:  Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.