If I had a dollar for every king who went off the rails… What is it about kingship that leads people astray? Can it really be as simple as saying people are so weak, selfish, and greedy that when opportunity comes along they will inevitably give way to their lesser inclinations? Or is there some kind of outside force like gravity that pulls people slowly down until they are unrecognizable to their former, good natured self and now exist primarily to protect their own power and wealth? And, most importantly, how does this connect with leadership today?
Early Anabaptists pinpointed government involvement as problematic. In the systems of their day, it was only a matter of time before one would be corrupted or ousted for noncompliance. I recall that, in more recent times, Anabaptists shied away from political involvement out of a concern for similar corruption, fearing that working within a democratic system would require them compromise for the sake of diverse group they represent. This doesn’t seem to be quite the same today as our politicians seem to represent party and corporation more than the people they are said to govern.
But being the “quiet in the land” does not seem like a valid or ethical possibility in these times, especially if you find yourself on the political hit-list as many queer people do. We need our voices to be heard, to be respected, to be held in the same regard as others in our world. We have learned that we cannot just wait for our political leaders to do what is right and good for all people.
The “No Kings” protests seems to fit nicely with the biblical critique of kingship. They challenge leaders to not behave in ways that abuse, consume, and extract without regard for the consequences to others. They challenge our leaders to actually be “for the people” rather than for themselves—the democratic ideal we desire.
But how does this interact with our faith? Jesus did not come to establish a democracy any more than he came to overturn the oppressive Roman rule. Jesus is not apolitical, but is also not a politician. I tend to think of Jesus as being meta-political: both transcending and including the political as it pertains to the flourishing of humanity, creation, and God’s purposes.
It’s also important to me, as a pastor, that I don’t wield power in the church like a king. My congregation are not my subjects nor my resources to consume. We are co-laborers and collaborators in God’s Kingdom work.
As for what it looks like to be about this work in the present political environment, it makes sense that we look back to move forward. Maybe not as far back as Solomon, but there are stories back then, too. How did those who were without power for for justice, freedom, and peace without becoming tyrants of their own little kingdoms. I am especially curious about how our queer ancestors have worked for liberation despite opposition. How can their example be a model for us in acting with conviction without giving over to our lesser inclinations?
