The past few days have produced a curious mixture of stories about Christianity, politics, sexuality and popular culture. Taken together, they raise an important question: what happens when Christian language enters the public square?
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has expressed scepticism about Nigel Farage’s references to Britain’s Christian heritage and about Tommy Robinson’s claims to Christian faith. Williams suggests that Christianity can become a political instrument for stirring hostility towards Muslims.
There is some wisdom in this warning which Christians should heed. Christianity is not a political branding exercise. Christ cannot be recruited as a mascot for a political movement, nor can the cross be used to baptise our own partisan ideology. Anyone claiming the name of Christ should expect to be examined by Christ’s teaching.
But there is an irony here. The liberal theological establishment (in which Williams has played a significant role) has spent decades marginalising conservative Christians, treating biblical convictions about marriage, sexuality, sin, judgement and conversion as embarrassing relics. When Christianity subsequently reappears in political discourse, is it any wonder that some Christians find a home among popularist political figures who speak up for those who have been sidelined?
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