C. S. Lewis and the Defense of the Faith (part six)

In 1945, C. S. Lewis was invited to address a gathering of Welsh Anglican priests and youth workers on the subject of Christian apologetics. Here are his remarks, published in the book, God in the Dock, and, as needed, some commentary on them.

This raises the question of theology and politics. The nearest I can get to a settlement of the frontier problem between them is this: that theology teaches us what ends are desirable and what means are lawful, while politics teaches what means are effective. Thus theology tells us that every man ought to have a decent wage. Politics tells by what means this is likely to be attained. Theology tells us which of these means are consistent with justice and charity. On the political question guidance comes not from revelation but from natural prudence, knowledge of complicated facts and ripe experience. If we have these qualifications we may, of course, state our political opinions: but then we must make it quite clear that we are giving our personal judgment and have no command from the Lord. Not many priests have these qualifications. Most political sermons teach the congregation nothing except what newspapers are taken at the rectory.

Defense of the faith speaks to the moral implications of certain political actions, but not the means accomplishing political change. We may have political opinions (fiscal conservativeness or liberality, for example), but we must make clear that this is our personal judgment and not a command from the Lord. We have seen too much failure to make this distinction, endorsing politicians who turn out to be moral and political failures, defending socialistic or free market views as if they are truly Christian, and labeling the views opposite to ours as evil. We are forsaking the gospel and its defense as we do so.