Freedom for Worship

The last six chapters of Exodus are entirely consumed with the details of constructing the Tabernacle. Earlier chapters likewise devote tremendous space to this topic. Clearly, God's dramatic and (humanly speaking) revolutionary act of liberation in the exodus was not an end in itself. The freedom gained for Abraham's descendants only matters within the relationship with the Lord that it fosters. This supreme example of human liberation from bondage points beyond itself to something else.

Likewise in Acts 2:42-47, the mutual aid and sharing of goods seen there--a wonderful alternative community established right in the midst of the vast empire of Rome--is not simply a subversive politico-economic option. Mutual aid in Acts occurs among those who believed, and is a portrait of their belief. The economics of this early Christian community were an equal part of worship alongside prayer and teaching.

The politics of the church is a politics of worship. Because of this it will always stand starkly apart from its atheistic or agnostic counterparts. My thoughts are just beginning to stir, but it seems that asking the questions, "How does our political existence inform our worship?" and "How does our worship inform our politics?" does not go far enough. The questions themselves are a sign that we have grossly bifurcated the intrinsic union of worship and politics. Our worship is necessarily political, and if our politics have naught to do with worship, then we are not Christian in our politics.

I know that not very many people read this, but since you've read this far--thanks!--do you have stories or know of Christian congregations or communities that exemplify a political existence that is worship? As my wonderful professor Christine Pohl has often noted, sharing stories of practices well done is a very good thing for us; I would much love to hear yours. Please share!