Partnering on the Journey
Top of the bestseller lists, with an unprecedented volume of pre-orders and purchases in its first week, the popularity of Tony Blair's memoir, A Journey provides the perfect metaphor for the paradoxical relationship between Mr Blair and the Great British Public. Intrigued, and slightly disgusted, we've flocked in our thousands to procure a copy (with or without eggs).
There is intricate mystery in any gradual vilification of a one-time hero.
So how and why did Tony turn from saviour to slated? Andrew Marr's interview with Blair placed the fulcrum at 9/11, when a young, people-pleasing leader woke up to the dangerously increased 'calculus of risk', and the stakes were unpredictably raised.
Suddenly, Iraq is not a stand-alone decision, isolated and unintelligible, but part of a strategic response to rule by terror. Though reaping the 'bitter and toxic legacy', Blair refuses, even in hindsight, to denounce his actions, preferring to champion an unglamorous position because of an ideological truth.
And so people may be left wondering who to believe, frustrated because they don't have all the facts, angry at the aftermath of decisions that were taken, numbed by the deaths of so many. And so they protest publicly, or moan privately.
And us, how should we react - we who may feel some of the same emotions as our neighbour - what is our perspective?
To some people's surprise, the Bible has a robust approach to politics. It recounts the best of political decisions, and the worst. And, however flawed the decisions may be, demonstrates the way that the maker of the universe is able to wrap these up for his glory and for mankind's healing.
And it calls us to pray. To untrained eyes, the weakest, least aggressive stance one could possibly take. But for those with eyes to see, the most powerful political action one can take.
Christians shouldn't feel disempowered under leadership, tyrannical or exemplary, Christian or heathen. There is no authority apart from God, making prayer the most powerful weapon for change. 1 Timothy 2 calls us to our knees to pray for all in high positions, that we might lead a quiet life; the implication being that living differently for the gospel is dangerously subversive. To have the freedom to do so without fear of persecution from the authorities is a God-given gift.
Praying for God's glorification in the decision-making of government can fill a void or supplement words faithful MPs already mutter but, crucially, our active partnership in prayer is necessary every day, not just when crises hit headlines.
Naomi Carle
Links
To watch Blair's interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr (available until Sunday), click here
To inform your prayers for leaders in regard to the issues facing them, tune in to BBC Radio 4 every Wednesday night for the Today in Parliament programme.
For more information about praying for Christians under more hostile leadership, click here
Comments
In reference to Naomi Carle's comment 10th September. "Blair refuses, even in hindsight, to denounce his actions, preferring to champion an unglamorous position because of an ideological truth." I'm a little dissappointed that LCC should host this type of comment. What would the author have done in Tony Blair's position, with the knowledge he had at the time, Sadam's cruel tretment of his own people, propensity for war and continual humiliation and flouting of the united nations conditions. What is the point of the international community stipulatring terms of compliance terms if they will not enforce them. This is my 'opinion', and I agree is open to debate, but should LCC be supporting an assumption that there is only one side to this story? Paul Hodson
When you wrote 'the Bible has a robust approach to politics', I presume what you meant to write was 'the Bible has bits and pieces which you can cobble together to support whatever approach to politics you happen to hold, then use that approach to harmonise any parts that don't agree with it, then call it "robust".'
Date:
2010-09-16 12:39:01
Author:
David Young