The Ordinary Christian

In Australia we recently had a change in Prime Minister.  Being relatively new to Australian politics, occasionally I will make inquiries with Autralians because they have a wealth of knowledge - especially from a historical perspective I do not possess.  On the ABC website the other day I read an article which seemed to match what I have observed:  leaders in parliament go to great lengths to show they are everyday, ordinary people.  Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke makes an annual appearance at the SCG to scull a beer, and whilst in office Tony Abbott was seen jogging with lifesavers or volunteering with the Fire Brigade.  Malcolm Turnbull would wear an Akubra hat when visiting rural areas.  The new Prime Minister Scott Morrison was pictured in the article tending a BBQ covered with fried eggs.  The title of the article was, "Just a regular Joe (or Bill or ScoMo): How our leaders work hard at being 'ordinary.'"

The article took a bizarre turn as it took aim at the Prime Minister and his open Christianity.  Frank Bongiorno in his opinion piece at the ABC remarked:

Like Mr Keating, the very Sydney-ish Mr Morrison is looking south for an AFL club, and he has cultivated what journalist Phillip Coorey calls a "daggy ordinariness". But his everyman act is already running up against his evangelical Christianity. The classic Australian plain man is not an evangelical.

Russel Ward sketched the "the typical Australian" most influentially in The Australian Legend 60 years ago. He is, Ward writes, "sceptical about the value of religion and of intellectual and cultural pursuits generally". The latter certainly fits Mr Morrison, but not the former.

I found it difficult to follow the logic of the article which went something like this:  Australian politicians work hard to appear normal and be everyday people, but Scott Morrison cannot be considered an "everyday" man because he is an evangelical.  In the article there was virtually no description provided of ScoMo's faith, and the sledge about the Prime Minister's scepticism of "intellectual and cultural pursuits" did not go unnoticed.  I was left to wonder exactly what Mr. Bongiorno meant when he wrote "evangelical," as it was not fleshed out in the article.  Frying eggs and wearing footy jumpers is deemed an "act," but it seems being an "evangelical" is not something an Australian leader should wear on their sleeve.

There is no shortage of religion in the world, and many religions could be aligned with intellectual and cultural pursuits.  Be that as it may, I find it strange any person (except for ignorance) could deny the positive implications of the description provided in James 1:27 for religion:  "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  Christianity is unlike all other "religions" because we serve a living Saviour borne out of His love for us.  In loving God and others as He loves us, followers of Jesus ought to be numbered among the most useful, kind, generous, and gracious citizens, neighbours, and friends.  An atheist Matthew Parris years ago shared how he observed faith in Jesus made a positive difference in the world.  I don't believe the world is anti-religion, as religion is prolific in all nations:  I believe people are vehemently opposed to evangelicals in particular because they openly share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Maybe what is needed in the halls of Parliament and in State Government is more people who are willing to make a stand for righteousness and the truth of scripture, who wield their God-given authority in a way which honours and glorifies Him regardless of the contrary cultural tide.  Would to God being an "evangelical" would become an ordinary lifestyle in this great land, that our plain purpose in life would be out of God's love for us to love Him and others, humbly serving as our LORD Jesus did during his brief pilgrimage on His way to Calvary to die for lost sinners so they could be saved.  We cannot outdo Him, nor should Christianity be an act to appeal to constituents.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and those who follow Jesus are fit for service in politics or any arena because God gives us a Spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).