British Prime Minister David Cameron's recent comments about the continued value and importance to this country of 'Christian values' has met with varying degrees of approval and rejection. That is only to be expected. Mr Cameron made his remarks during a speech commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of the King James version of the Bible.
In his speech the PM said that Christian values were central to Britain and should be 'treasured'. He said that faith gave people a 'moral code' and that the summer riots that shattered several cities were evidence of the fact that this country has lost its way. He also said "[Christian values] are also values that speak to us all – to people of every faith and none. Those who oppose this usually make the case for secular neutrality. They argue that by saying we are a Christian country and standing up for Christian values we are somehow doing down other faiths. I think these arguments are profoundly wrong."
I applaud Mr Cameron's remarks. To hear a modern politician speak of morality and right and wrong is refreshing. (It is interesting that his Liberal Democrat Deputy, Nick Clegg, today embarks on a campaign to stop plans for tax breaks for married couples, citing it as a return to 1950s morality. This despite all the evidence that overwhelmingly proves the benefit of marriage to society). We are right to stand for Christian values; the Bible tells us that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34). The problem in this nation is that there is too much anti Christian legislation; as I have written before, we cannot support Christian - God - values, while passing laws which militate against those values. Therefore, if Mr Cameron wishes to see those values restored - and I believe he does - then somewhere along the line he and his government will have to introduce legislation in line with that desire.
We must face the fact, too, that Britain is not a Christian country. There is no such thing as a Christian country, not even the United States, which has In God we Trust on its money but it's against the law to pray in school (to quote the late Larry Norman). The Gospel of the Kingdom does not produce Christian countries, it produces Christian communities (the Church) in countries, which transform and challenge their societies with the love and power of Jesus Christ. One of the biggest disasters to befall the Church was when it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Christianity's function is not to be such a thing, it cannot be the State Church. When Mr Cameron directs his comments to the Church of England, he speaks to the wrong body. A state-sponsored and state-controlled religious organisation in which large numbers of its leaders deny the truth of biblical Christianity, cannot speak for Jesus Christ or truly represent him. (That should create some reactions and responses!)
Ultimately, the promotion and support of Christian values will not be sufficient. Society is truly changed only when people are changed, for society comprises real people. Acceptance and acknowledgement of a value system is not far enough. The need is not only for legislation which promotes Christian values; the Church - the real Church that is - has to preach a Jesus as Lord, who is alive as Lord, the reality of the miracle of a changed life through new birth, the love and holiness of God, and express that life in the Church and to the world as an invitation, a demonstration, a provocation and a proof that Jesus is the living Lord of all. If the Church incarnates Christ with all his life and 'values' then the nation will sit up and take notice - as it is beginning to do - and acknowledge that the Kingdom of God has come.
