The Radical Christian Facing Today's Political Malaise

By
Dr. H. Evan Runner
The first lecture of the series, "Politics: Beyond the Ballot Box"
Sponsored by
Students for Political Education through Christian Thought and
Renewing Action (SPECTRA)

Grand Rapids, Michigan. October 25, 1972

(This paper was compiled from the tape recording of the lecture and Dr. Runner's written
manuscript.)

Introduction
ThoughitistruethatIamaprofessorevenaprofessorofphilosophy,itisnotasaprofessorof
philosophyorasaprofessoratall,thatIwishtospeaktoyouthis.evening.Ofcourse,Irealizethatit
wouldbehardtoconcealthefactthatIhavehadthegreatprivilegeofbeingaprofessorofphilosophy
andofteachingstudentsphilosophy,particularlyhowtoengageintheenterpriseofphilosophizingina
Christianmanner,foranumberofyears,justasitwouldbehardforanelectricianorplumberorareal
estatebrokertoconcealwhathedoeswithhislifeinamorespecializedway.ButtonightIwanttotalk
toyouasa.simpleChristianbeliever,simplyasonewhoprofessestobeoneofChrist's"littleones".In
thatsense,Ihopeyouwillreceivemeasaprofessor.InmydailyworkIattempttocarryoutthat
centralprofessionorcallinginaspecializedway,aseveryone,elseherealsodoes,asaprofessorof
philosophy.Sotonight,thoughwhat`IhavetosaymayattimesbetraythefactthatIspendmydays
reading,talkingandteachingphilosophy,itisasaprofessorofthatoneNamethatisaboveeveryother
name,thatIwishtobelistenedtoasIdiscussourcommonresponsibilitiesasapeopleofGodinthe
worldofAmericanpolitics.Iamnospecialistinpoliticalscience.Ispeaktonightasanarousedand
concernedbeliever.
Asyouhaveheard,theorganizationwhichhasarrangedforthisseriesofdiscussionstobeheld
throughoutthewinterisastudentorganization.Idonotwishtominimizethatfactforonesecond.On
thecontrary,Iwishtobringitinalivelywaytoyourattention:forIamproudofthesestudents.Thefact
thatSpectraisanorganizationofstudentsdoesnotmakethisanacademicoccasionanymorethanthe
factthatIamaprofessordoes.Thesestudentsareyoungpeopleandtheyareconcernedasyoung
ChristianbelieversaboutwhatthestanceofChristiansoughttobeintoday'spoliticalarena.Thingsare
happeninginthisworldofoursfundamentalthings,Ibelieve.Wehavejustbeenpassingthroughyears
ofgreatupset.Wehavebeenmadeawareofacountercultureandsubjectedtomanyanalysesand
interpretationsofit.Youngpeopleareclosesttothesesignificantreversalsfromtheindividualtothe
communal,fromtheGrossNationalProducttoamorecomprehensiveconception,oratleastoneless
economicallyqualified,ofhumanexistence,frommanipulationandconditioningtodoingone'sthingin
personalfreedom.
ItisnotsurprisingthatChristianyoungpeopleexperienceundertheseconditionsofupheavala
heightenedawarenessoftherootquestion:Whatishumanlifeandhowisittobelived?Theyare
questioning,inamorefundamentalwaythantheirparentswereabletobringthemselvestodo,how
Christiansaretolivewitnessinglivesinthemidstoftheworldandofhumanhistory.

Therearestirringsinanumberofplaces.1)Asmanyofyouknowinthecountrytothenorthofus
considerationhasbeengivenforsomeyearsnowtodevelopingaChristianpoliticalconsciousnessand,
ifpossible,aChristianconsensus.2)Tospeakofjustonemorething,Ijustreturnedacoupleofdaysago
fromafirsteffortatdevelopingaChristianpoliticalawarenesstheUnitedStates.Themeetingwas
organizedbyyoungpeoplejustoutofcollegeinthelastyearortwo,atGenevaCollegeinBeaverFalls,
Pennsylvania.StudentsfromGroveCityCollegeandAlleghenyCollegeandfromaChristianCoalition
movementwherepresent.Letmejustsaythatthoughthiswasafirsteffort,verygreatenthusiasmwas
manifested,restingonthebasisofafirmconvictionthatChristianshavegottodosomethingtogether.
Morethanonehundredfiftysuchyoungpeopleregisteredforthisfirstconference.Iknowofother
effortsthataretobemadeinthenearfuture.InourownCalvinstudentpaper,theChimes,ofjustthis
pastFriday(October20),aguestessayappearedbyDonaldOttenhof,whichcomes,Ithink,closerthan
almostanythingIvereadfromCalvinstudentsinthetwentytwoyearsIvebeenattheschool,to
describingthemostseriousreflectionthatisgoingoninsmallbutenlargingsometimesrapidly
enlarginggroups.SpeakingoftheneedforDutchimmigrantsofCalvinistextractiontopullthemselves
outofthecocoonoftheirselfcontainedimmigrantcommunitytobecomeaneffectivewitnessing
forceintwentiethcenturyUnitedStates,hejudgesthat:
"Theimpotenceofthechurch'spresentwitnessstandsasprimaryevidenceoftheir
failuretomakethetransitionwithoutcompromisingtheiridentityasfollowersofGods
Word.PastgenerationsoftheChristianReformedcommunityhavebeenfoundguiltyby
theiroffspringoftransformingtheChristianReformedChurchintoanother
manifestationofwhathasbeencalledtheAmericanCultureReligion,therebysacrificing
notonlythesuperfluousDutchisms,butalsotheessenceoftheReformedfaith.
AssumingthecloakofAmericanculture,theChristianReformedcommunity,however
unwittingly,alsoembracedthesoulofthatculture.
ThisCalvingraduateoflastJune(72)goeson,mostremarkablyhereiswhereinmyopinionhis
judgmentstandsoutabovemanywhojustcarpabouttheirelderstosaythis:

Some(certainlynotall)ofus,recognizingsuchfailures,havedissociated
ourselvesfromthemainstreamoftheAmericanChristianReformedCommunityand
becomeapartofaculturethatisinmanyrespectsworldsapartfromthatofourelders.
FindingitimpossibleoratleastdifficulttofunctionaswholewitnessingChristiansinthe
cultureofourparents,wehavemadeatransitionintoanewandverydifferentone.

Thequestionthatpresentsitselfmostobviouslyis:Havethoseofuswhohave
madethetransitionfallenpreytothesametrapsasourelders?Itseemspossiblethatin
assumingthemantleofanewculture(counterculture,forlackofabetterterm)we
havealsoassumedthenatureofaculturethatisjustasinimicaltoChristianityasisthe
Americanway.

Aslavelikedevotiontothedrugmystiqueandalicentiousconceptoffreedom
whichresultsinaflauntingofauthoritymaybeourculturesubstituteformaterialism

andracism.Thesamegenerationthataccusesitseldersofsellingtheirsoulslock,stock,
andbarreltosecularismseemstobeindangerofsigningasimilarcontract.

Forbothourselvesandourparentstheproblemismoreseriousthentheco
optationofChristiansbysecularistenvironments.Perhapsourinabilitytoestablishour
identityapartfromthedictatesoftheculturesaroundusexistsbecausewehave
distancedourselvesfromtheWord,whichalonecangiveusourtrueidentity.
Thisisaremarkableandeloquentwitnesstoaveryfundamentalreflectionthatwecanbegintoobserve
inquiteafewplaces,anditcausesustoraiseourheartsinprayertoAlmightyGodthatarenewalofthe
lifeofHischildrenmaytakeplaceinourtimeandthatwemaybeapartofit,sothatweourselves,and
ourchildren,maybeabletolivemuchmoremeaningfullivesinoursocietythanisatpresentpossible.
ThisgatheringheretonightismorethanabitunusualIthink.Youhaveallhonoredustonighttothis
extentthatyouhavecomeheretosharethiseveningwithus.ButamInotcorrectthatmanyofusfeel
justabituncomfortablehere?Whatkindofaspiritisgoingtoappearoutofthisgathering?So,we
comewithourprotectiveapparatusheavyaboutus.SomeofuswillbeofamoreRepublican
persuasion,andothersmaybeenthusiasticDemocrats,oratleastsupportersoftheMcGovernShriver
ticket.WeChristiansknowhowverysecretiveweareaboutourdeepestpoliticalconvictions.Weknow
thatweareutterlydividedinourpoliticalloyalties.YoufindChristianswhoinvolvethemselvesin
politicalactioninthiscountrysituatedanywherefromthesocalledleftwingoftheDemocraticPartyto
therightwingoftheRepublicanParty.Knowingthesethings;andhavingexperiencedtimeandtime
againthefutilityofreallypersuadingoneanother,wefeelabituncomfortableinbeinginvitedtoa
meetingofChristianstogether,justasChristians,asprofessorsofJesusChristastheLordofourlives,to
attemptcommonChristianreflectionuponandcommonChristiandiscussionofourChristianstance
relativetothepresentAmericanworldofpoliticalaction.PerhapssomeChristianssimplyfeelsecretly
thattheyarenotsufficientlyknowledgeableaboutpoliticallife.ForalongtimepoliticsinChristian
familieshavebeenadirtywordandadirtylifetobeavoided,tokeepourchildrenawayfrom.Politics
hasbelongedtothatworldoutthere,andreligionandpoliticssimplydonotmix!Shouldweattempta
Christianconsensusatall?ShouldwenotleavethespectrumofpoliticalopinionsamongChristians
alone?
WeAmericanscometogetherasRepublicansorasDemocrats,asconservativesorasliberals,perhapsas
RepublicansforLBJ,orasDemocratsforNixon.Wecometogetherassupportersoflegislationon
busing,assupportersofthisorthatkindoflegislationrespectingspecificissue,butwedonotcome
togetherforseriousandfundamentaldiscussionofthenatureandpresentstageofdevelopmentand
organizationofpoliticallife,andwecertainlydonotdothatasChristians.
InthepastwehavespokenoftheChurchasifitwereoneentityoveragainsttheworldasasecond
entity.AndwhenwehavesaidChurchwehavethoughtofourgatheringforworship,especiallyonthe
LordsDayinthehouseofGod,andoftheecclesiasticalorganizationswithwhichthelocalchurchis
associatedorofwhichitisapart.AbouttheonlyplacethesedayswhereweprofessorsoftheNameof
Christcometogetherforcommunalthoughtandactionisinthesecongregations,wherewegatherfor

thepublicworshipofGod.Wehaveregardedtheseculticbodies,organizedforpurposesofpublic
worship,astheChurch,andsometimestheologianshavespokenoftheseworshipassembliesasthe
churchgathered.Isupposethatmeansthatoutsidethesegatheringswearethechurchdispersed?
Thatis,asministersarewonttosayatthecloseoftheeveningservice,thatwhenweleavewhatthey
sometimesspeakofasthesanctuarywegomerelyasindividuals,asindividualswhobelongtoChrists
Church,tobesure,butwho,outthereinthatotherentity,theworld,onlylivetheirindividuallivesand
maketheirindividualwitness(asanexamplefromarecentsermontoourneighborovertheback
fence.)
WearenotaccustomedanylongertothinkingintheScripturalwayofthepeoplewithwhomGodhas
establishedacovenantintheearth,tothinkofaKingdomofGodinwhichallauthority,thatis,the
concentrationofallpossibleearthlyauthoritiesoroffices,hasbeengiventoJesusChrist,theMediator
ofourRedemption,resurrectedandascendedtotherighthandoftheFather.Wearenotaccustomed
tothinkingoftheChurchofChristasabodyofhumanbeings,involvingallthatistobefoundinhuman
beings,includingthenecessityoflivinginciviccommunities,establishingaruleoflaw,appointing
judges,etc.Isay,wehumanbeingsbeingrestoredintheentirerangeoftheirlifeactivitytoalifein
subjectiontothelifesustainingWordofGodforHiscreation.ThisiswhatKingdomandChurchmeanin
theNewTestament,andtheyareacontinuationofwhatwasknownintheOldTestamentasGods
Covenantwithmanandtheearth,inotherwords,withtheentireandintegralcreation,.Thisisthe
cosmicredemptionofwhichwereadintheNewTestament.Lifeisreligion,notworship.TheWordof
GodTheTorahistheguideforourlife.
ItisbecausewedonotthinkofGodsPeopleanylongerinthisway,andbecausewearesodeeply
involvedincertainculturaldevelopmentsofmodernsecularEuropeancivilization,thatwefeelan
uneasinessaboutpresentdayAmericanpoliticallife.TheChristianChurchCatholicandProtestant
hasinthemoderncenturiespassedthroughtheterribleWarsofReligion,thehungerforpeaceand
stabilityandunificationsoftheEuropeanstates,thedevelopmentofhighlysubjectiveisticformsof
pietyPietismandQuietismwhichpreparedthewayforthemajoronslaughtofrationalismwithits
substitutefortheDirectingWordforlifefromtheLivingGod:theLightofMansownessentialrational
nature,commontomenofalltimesandplaces.Thechurches,alreadyweakenedbyintroversive
(mystical,subjectiveistic)formsofpiety,boughtthisbillofgoodsfromtherationalists,whichallowed
themtoseekguidancefortheirprivateorsecretinnerlivesfromtheScripturesandtoworkcommonly
orpubliclyonbuildinganeworderinEuropeonthebasisofacommonrationality.Afterthis
accommodation,sodamagingtotheproperroleoftheWordofGodinhumanlife,thenewspokesmen
ofrationalismgraduallytookoverthebastionsofpoliticalpowerandthegreatuniversitycenters,and
Christianscamemoreandmoretoliveprivatelivesontheedgesofwhereitwasat.ThentheIndustrial
RevolutionfurtherweakenedChristians.Thisisthesituationmostofushaveinherited.Havingleftthe
publicordertothenewforcesofrationalism,sevendemonsrushedin:wefindourselvesthoroughly
imbeddedinmodernityanditstensions,itspolarities.Atarecentpoliticalrallyoneofmycolleagues,
accostedanotherwithAreyouwithus?Ithoughtyouwerewiththeenemy.Itisasifthestruggle
betweentheKingdomofLightandtheKingdomofDarknesshasbeenshiftedtothestrugglebetween
theRepublicansandtheDemocrats.

But,aswehavesaid,thepresentgenerationappearstobedeterminedtoengageinamore
fundamentalinquiryofwhereweareandwhatweasChristiansoughttobeabout.
Andespeciallyinthepoliticalarenaeventsofsometimepasthavegivenrisetoimportantquestions.
THECAMPAIGN
Thecampaignwhichisnowrapidlydrawingtoaclosehasseveraltimesbeendescribedas,"bizarre".
Andifthatwordmeans,asthedictionarysays,'odd','eccentric','whimsical'or'irregular',thishasmost
assuredlybeenabizarrecampaigneversince,evenbeforethecampaignproperbegan,theITTquestion
brokeandtheRepublicanswereforcedtomovetheirconventionfromSanDiegotoMiami.SurelyI
neednotcallupthevariousepisodes:thesocalledWatergate'caper'(theveryuseofsuchafrolicking
term!);thegraindeal;thesuddeninterestingtransferofagovernmentpersontothegraincompany
saidtobeexpectedtoprofitmostfromthedeal;thesuddeninterestingtransferofagovernmentthatis
beingleveledthattheNixonadministrationhasbeentherhetoricincreasesinradicalityfromone
speechtothenext);thechargeofgrossimmoralityleveledagainstthepresidentoftheUnitedStates
himself(whowascomparedtoAdolfHitler);thechargeontheotherside,thatMr.McGovern's
bleedingheartpersonalitywillstripthecountryofitsdefensesorthathispositiononamnesty,which
has,likeNixon's,appearedtochangefromtimetotimeandthustobe(alsoinNixonscase)fuzzy,is,
immoral.Particularlyinterestinginthelightofallthepreceding,wasthefrankrevelationfromthe
McGoverncampinthefinalweekendofthecampaignthatsinceonekindofrhetoricseemednottostir
thepeople,theywouldtrythemoralizing,ministerialapproaches(whichiswhat,wegotintheensuing
days).
Youngpeoplewhoseinterestinpoliticalcampaignsisnewthinkofthesethingsasastrangeandhorrible
deterioration.Butthesorryfactisthatalthoughthiscampaignisespeciallybizarre,similarthingshave
occurredinmanypreviouscampaigns.
This,youwillremember,wastobeacampaignofissues.Nixonwastotakethehighroad.Well,Nixon
hasnottakentotheroadatall,butwedidhavehisVicePresidentinourcityjustafewdaysago.Many
ofyouwereprobablythere.Themainthingaboutitwasitscircuslikeatmosphere.Oneofmy
colleagues,whohadseentheflieradvertisingourmeetingheretonightwhichhadspokenofthe
campaignasbizarre,surprisedatseeingmepresent,askedmeifIhadcometoparticipateinthebizarre
campaign.Itsjustalotofmonkeysrunningaround,hesaid.Iwasterriblyupsetbyhisremark
becauseIknewhimasastaunchsupporterofMr.Agnewsparty,andsoIreplied,Yes,itislikeacircus,
butnothesearenotmonkeys;theyremen,andthatswhatmakesthissuchapiteousspectacle.Ifyou
gotoacircustogotoacircus,well,OK,butwhenyouthinkthatintheworldsgreatestexperimentin
democracyyoureparticipatinginapoliticalcampaignwherethewealorwoeofwesternmanisonthe
lineandyoufindyourselftreatedtoacircus,and,evenworse,findyourselfhandled(manipulated)by
thoseincontrol(not:inauthority)asthoughyouintendedtocometoacircusandwantacircus,thenin
myopinion,itshightimeandImeanhightimefortheChristiancitizentoprotest.
ThewholeatmosphereattheAgnew"rally"drovethoughtfar.Whencandidatesforofficetriedtomake
astatementaboutsomeparticularissuetheygotabitofahand,butwhenacoupleofcandidateswitha

knowingpoliticaleyesimplycriedoutwhenintroduced,"VotestraightRepublicanyou'lllikeit,"there
wasadeafeningroarinthegymnasium.
Agnewswordsweresoverymuchinconflictwiththerealsituation.Againstthehecklershesaidthat
wewerebeingtreatedtoacampaignofissues,butnothingofanyimportancewasbroughtup.His
openingremarkthatNixonstoodforinternationalismwhileMcGovernrecommendedisolationismwas
supportedonlybyhisquotingtheComehome,AmericalinesfromMcGovernsacceptancespeech,
whichobviouslyhadmeantsomethingentirelydifferent.TheonlywordthatIhavebeenabletocome
upwithwhichmightcharacterizethewholeexperienceoftheAgnewrallyismindless.Itshouldhave
beenutterlyrepulsivetoanyChristian.
Whatwehavelargelybeentreatedtointhiscampaignisdirt,slander,characterassassination.Ithas,if
thatisgood,appreciablyraisedthelevelofintenselyfelthatredinacertainsegmentofouryouth.Butin
this,exceptperhapsfortheintensityofthefeeling,whichisrelatedtothedeepdividednessofour
peopleovertheVietnamWarandthecynicismandfrustrationwhichhasaccompaniedthecrumblingof
muchyouthfulidealismandordinaryrespectforhighauthority,thepresentcampaignisnotsomething
particularlynewintheUnitedStates.AfterthetwoconventionstheChristianScienceMonitorranan
editorial(onTuesday,August29,1972)entitledAndNowtoExtravagance.Letmequoteit.

JohnFosterDullesoncedefendedintemperateremarkshehadhimselfmade
duringapoliticalcampaignonthegroundsthattheAmericanpeopletraditionallyallow
themselvesaquadrennialdescentintointemperateandextravagantexpressionsof
opinionsabouteachother.

Hewasoftheopinionthatitwasauseful,evensalubriousventingof
pressures,tensions,resentments,andhostilities.Heseemedtofeelthateveryonewas
betteroffwhenitwasalloverandpeoplegotbacktoweighingtheirwordswith
prudenceandsomeconcernforthefacts.

Wehaveourdoubtsabouthowsalubriousitisforgrownmentothrowreason
andfairnesstothefourwindsandindulgeintwoorthreemonthsofunrestrained
slanderandvituperationateachothersexpense.Initsdefenseitmustbesaidthatitis
atraditionamongtheAngloSaxonpeoplesgoingbackdeepintothesetimesinthe
UnitedStates.

So,itmayormaynotbetherapeuticbutitcertainlyiscustomaryand
Americansarerightnowneckdeepinthemainstreamofanothersuchindulgencein
verbalextravaganceinvolvinggenerousquantitiesofmutual,attempted,character
assassination.

Twoexamplesaresufficient.GeorgeMcGovernhaslikenedPresidentNixons
VietnampoliciestotherecordofAdolfHitlerandMr.Nixonhasretaliatedbyimplying,
notverysubtly,thataMcGovernvictorywouldmeantheUnitedStatesbecominga
secondratecountry.


Thetwopresentationsareequallyunjustandunworthy.Mr.McGovernisa
sincereandpatrioticAmericanjustasdevotedtothewelfareandsecurityofthecountry
asisanyoneelseinthiscampaign.Anditisagrossslandertosuggestthatthereisthe
slightestpossibleequationbetweenMr.NixonandthetrulyevilmanwhichHitler
indeedwas.Mr.Nixoniscapableofpoliticalruthlessness.Heisnotevil.

WerecognizethatAmericanpoliticalcampaignsareseldomwagedoverreal
issues.Theappealisnottothemindbuttotheemotions.This,ofcourse,shouldnotbe
so.Butatleast,Americansdohaveatwopartysystemwhichworksnomatterhow
abusiveitistoreasonintheseperiodicdescentsintoextravagance.

Allwedosayisthattheindividualcitizenofthesetimesbyrememberingthat
themanontheothersideofthepoliticalfenceisneithertraitor,norscoundrel,nor
imbecile.TheUnitedStatesisnotheadedforruinwhicheversidewins.
Withrespecttothiseditorial,acoupleofcomments.First,asregardsAngloSaxontradition,wemaynot
resignourselvestooracquiesceinthatwhichisevil,nomatterwithwhatclaimstohearyantiquityit
maycometous.Second,whyshouldweregarditasamatterbeyondconsiderationthatpolitical
ruthlessnessisnotevil?Third,itisutterlyirrelevanttodecidethatneithermanisatraitor,ascoundrel
oranimbecile.Therealquestionis:Whatdynamic,what(religious)directionisinthemindthe
candidategivesexpressionto.Itisnottheman,buttheprinciplethatdetermineswherewearemoving.
ButhowverysickourfunctioningAmericanssocietyiscanbesensedinasecondeditorialfromthe
ChristianScienceMonitoraboutamonthlater,publishedonSeptember26,1972,undertheheading
OfWeaponsandPolitics.Thesignificantpartreadsasfollows:

MelLaird...,whoisprobablytheablestpoliticalsloganeerinthe
administration,hasnailedawhiteflagofsurrenderslogantotheMcGovernprogram.
Itsapowerfulpoliticalslogan.Ofcourseitisalsogrosslyunfair,butthatisbesidethe
pointinpolitics
Youcanfeelacceptanceofthefactthatourpoliticianswillbesloganeering,notengagedinserious
analysisofalternativepoliticalprograms.Youcanalsofeelthedeepcynicismaboutourpoliticallifein
thiscountry.AswhentheMcGoverncamplifeannouncesashiftfromonekindofrhetoric,whichisnt
winningvotes,toanotherkindwhichhopefullywill.Nopoliticalsituationsarebeinganalyzed;thevoter
isbeingmanipulated,bythemenaroundNixon,butequallybythemenaroundMcGovern.
Onelastcitation.WilliamShannon,inhissyndicatedcolumn,wrotethesewordsinconnectionwiththe
campaign,onSeptember5,1972:

WhenIfirststartedwritingaboutMassachusettspolitics,IinterviewedLouis
Lyons,thentheheadoftheNiemanFoundationfornewspapermenatHarvard.Inmy
naivetIaskedhimwhathadbeentheguidingphilosophyofacertain(Massachusetts)
governor,Lyons,whohadcoveredlocalpoliticsformanyyears,chewedonhislowerlip

forhalfaminuteandthensaidinamatteroffacttone:Youhavetorealizethathewas
likemostoftheotherpoliticiansatthestatehouse.Theonlyphilosophyhehadwas
whatwouldlookgoodonthefrontpageoftomorrowspaper.
Turningtothe72nationalelectionShannonwrites:

Theintellectualbarrenness,thepreoccupationwithtechniquesratherthan
substance,theachingconcernwithtonightstelevisionnewsshowandtomorrows
newspaperfrontpage,andthesubordinationofeveryvaluetovotegrabbingthese
bleakrealitiesarebeyondthepowerofanyoutsidertodepictconvincinglyandstill
refrainhiscredibilityasadetachedobserver.Surely,oneasks,thepictureisoverdrawn
orthereporterbiased?
Nowonderthereisawidespreadnotableapathyamongthevoters.Moreandmorethewordmalaise
orsicknessisusedtodescribewesternpoliticallifeingeneralandourAmericanpoliticallifein
particular.Nowherecanweseestatesmenworkingtorestorehumansocietyinitspoliticalaspecttoa
conditionofhealth.Justmalaiseeverywhere.Littlepoliticianslikejackrabbits,scurryingformone
pressingpoliticaldistresspointtoanotherscurryingfromonepressingpoliticaldistresspointtoanother
asthedisastershotisheard,i.e.aspoliticaleventsforcethem;hoppingblindly,asrabbitsdoatthe
crackofthegun.Alienationbetweenthepoliticalelite,workingblindly,andthedisenchanted,
uninterestedmasses.Yetinatraditionaldemocracymenareelectedstillbythepopularvote.Howto
getthepeopleinterestedenoughtovote?PutabeautifulwomanonTVfavoringyourcandidate,orthe
wifeofafamousathlete.InMarch,1955Fortunemagazineannouncedasitsconclusionfromapollit
hadtakenthattypicalyoungbusinessmenof25yearsofagelikedthemiddleroadphilosophyof
EisenhowerRepublicanismnotsomuchforitsactualcontentasforthefactthatitprovidesalogical
coverfortheabsenceofpoliticalopinion.Hereisincipientnihilisminaveryinfluentialsegmentofour
youngergeneration.Thisabsenceofconvictionoftenalliesitselfwithcrossmanipulationofpublic
opinion.
Everywherethereisalossofpoliticalmeaning.JustoverayearagoJamesMacGregorBurns,and
historian,suggestedthatbothmajorAmericanpartiesareinaprocessofdisintegration.Neitheronecan
governeffectively,heargued;becausetheyarebothtoobroadlybasedtoeffectanythingbut
compromisesolutions.Thereiscertainlytruthinhissuggestion,butitdoesnotgetdowntotheroot
truthinhissuggestion,butitdoesnotgetdowntotherootofthemalaise.Ifourpresentpartiesdonot
offerthestrictchoiceofconservatismandliberalismreallyhelpus?ItistoanswerthatquestionthatI
wanttodevotetherestofthislecture.Intheentirewesternworldthealignmentofpoliticalparties
offerssuchachoice.Yeteverywherethereisthesamemalaise.Indiscussingthisinterestingproblem
weshallalsoaskourselveshowourAmericanpoliticianshavecome,inbothparties,tobeequallypr
gmatic,thatis,realistic,orasbothNixonandMcGovernhaverecentlyformulateditflexible,supply.
HOWLIBERALISMCONSERVATISMBECOMESTHEAWFULCLOICEOFMANKIND.Tomeitismost
lamentable,atatimewhenourinheritedpoliticalsystemshowsallthesignsofdecadenceandnear
collapse,thattheChristiancommunityisnotreadytooffer,towitnessto,abetterway,notready,in
greatpart,becauseitisitself,sincetheseventeenthcenturywhenitdecidedtoattemptamodus

Vivendiwiththeupsurgingnewsecularistmovement(rationalistichumanism),nowsodeeply
imbeddedinourculturalpatterns.InhisEpistletotheRomanstheapostlePauladmonishedusnotto
beconformedtothepresentworldsystem(theculturalordermanbringsaboutoutofhisunbelief)but
tobetransformedbyaturnaboutofourminds.Christskingdomisnotofthisworld.ItisFORthis
world,butitdoesnotarisefromtheunbeliefwhichcontrolsthedirectionofthisworld.
ButassoonasyoubringupthepossibilityofdevelopingacommunalChristianpoliticalconsciousness
yougettohearfromChristiansthatitisfutiletoattemptsuchathingandmakesnosense.Inthis
connectiontheremarkisfrequentlymadethatyourealwaysgoingtohavethosewhohaveaninterest
inpreservingthestatusquoandthosewhohavenotyetcometoenjoyanyoftheprivilegesofour
democracy,andthatyouwillhavebothofthesetypesamongChristiansaswellaselsewhere.
AtthispointitisimportanttonotethataccordingtotheWordofthelivingGodthetaskassigned
mankindatthebeginningwastodressandkeeptheGarden.Tokeep,thatistoconservewhatGod
hadcreatedgood;todress,thatistobringintobeingthroughourculturalformingofthecreation
givenwhatisnotyetthere,toinnovate.Thiskeepinganddressingaretwofacetsoftheoneintegral
humanTask.Conserveisnotthesameasconservatism,andinnovateisnotthesameas
innovationism.
ThereisadangerthatweChristiansmustbewarnedagainst;wemustnotallowourselvestoget
involvedwiththeimmediaciesoflife.Thatiswhathappenswhenwetrytolivewiththefacts,thebare
facts,wesay,astheyarethereimmediatelyconfrontingus.Itisthisoccupationwithimmediacieswhich
makesourpoliticianstobelikerabbits,jumpingattheshotofthegun,rollingwiththepunches.Itgives
risetofads,overkillreactions,etc.WeChristiansaretobefollowersofChrist.Butwhatisittobewas
theServantofGod,Maninoffice,cometodotheFatherswillforman,thatis,towalk,alwaysand
everywhere,notbybreadalone,butbyeveryWordthatproceedsfromthemouthofGodforcreation
life.Thereisnothingthatconfrontsushorizontally,nocreationalfactorsituationthathasmeaning
exceptasweseeit,readit,inthelightoftheWordofGod.FormystudentsItaketheexampleofPlato.
NineteenthcenturyGermanscholarsofferdifferinginterpretationsofPlato.Ifwetrytogetthetruth
aboutPlatobygettingcloser,saytohisimmediatedisciples,interpretation.If,now,weconcentrateon
Platohimself,thatis,onhiswritingsandwearefortunateinhavingapparentlyallthathewrotefor
publication,ifwegotoPlatohimselfwillwebeabletogetatthetruthaboutPlato?Theanswerisno.
Platodidnotunderstandhimselforthenatureofhiswork.Platothoughtofhimselfasessentially
rationalsoul,capableofgraspingintelligibleessences(substances?),theideas.SeeninScripturallight
wegetquiteadifferentinsightintowhatkindofabeingPlato(man)is,andwhatisinvolvedinknowing
thetruth.Thus,inthisexampleandeverywhere,tojudgebythelightGodsindispensableWordsheds
onthecreationistobeatakindofdistance.Christians,intheworld,arenotofit.
IamamazedwhenIhearandIhearitveryfrequentlyamongChristiansthatthereisnocriticismof
theRomanpoliticalsituationintheNewTestament.WhenJesuswasapparentlybeingtrappedwith
respecttotaxmoniesforRomeheaskedforacoin,andthenaskedwhoseimagethecoinbore.When
theanswercame,Hesaid,renderthentheCaesarwhatishisdue,andtoGodwhatisHis.Thisverseis
notmarkingoffsocietalrealmsofStateandChurch.ItisnotthePopeoraSynodwhichisputover

againstCaesar.ItisGod.Inaworldwherethepoliticalorderhadbeenabsolutized,nothingmoreradical
couldhavebeenproposedthanthis.Thepoliticalorderistohaveitsdue,butonlywithintheRuleof
God.ThepoliticalorderistobeanaspectoftheKingdomofGod.
Christianpoliticshastodowiththereorientationandrenewalofpoliticallifeasaconstituentpartofthe
KingdomofLife.ChristianpoliticshastodowiththequestionofthepropernatureoftheState,withthe
reallimitsofitsauthority,etc.
ButweChristiansmustbeawarenotonlyofwhattheWordofGoddrivesustodo;wemustalso
becomeculturallyaware,bymeansofthelighttheWordofGodshedsonourcultureandourhistory,
whatthereligioussignificanceisofthepoliticalphenomenaweencounterimmediatelybeforeus.That
is,wearecalledbyGodtojudgethespiritsthatareintheworld.
Tounderstandwhatourstanceoughttobeinthepresentpoliticalworldtheveryfirstrequirement,it
wouldseemtome,wouldbetounderstandwhatpoliticalpartiesare,wheretheycamefrom,andwhat
theyhavestoodfor.Especiallyitisimportantthatweunderstandthatsystemsofpartiesarecultural
productsformedbymenoutofcertainfundamentalconvictions,andthattheybothcanandoughttobe
reformedifwedonotsharethefundamentalconvictionthatgaverisetotheminthefirstplace,and
alsoiftheseorganizationsofpoliticalconvictionnolongercorrespondtothegroupingsofpolitical
convictionamongthepeople.
Politicalpartiesasweunderstandthempresupposethemoderndemocracyofthemasses.Thepartyis
anelementfortheformationofpoliticalwill.Itrepresentsincertainfunctionsthepeoplewhocannot
otherwisebeapoliticalfactor.EdmundBurkespokeofthepoliticalpartyasabodyofmenunitedfor
promotingbytheirjointendeavorsthenationalinterestsuponsomeparticularprincipleonwhichthey
areallagreed,towhichwemightwishtoaddthatthepartyissuchaunitedgroupfollowingaleaderor
leaderswhodesiretogainandmaintaincontrolthatcouldbe,havethepeopleassignthemcontrol
overgovernmentalpower.Thepartyisthusthenecessaryintermediarybetweenthepopulationandthe
publicpowers;thepartypermitsvoterstoselectpublicofficersandtoinfluencepolicy,andtheparty
undertakestooperatethemachineryofgovernment.Itstimulatesvoterstoparticipateinpoliticsand
educatesthem.
IthasbeensaidthattheYoungHegelianswerethefirstpoliticalpartyinGermany,andthereismuch
truthinthestatement(McClellan,TheYoungHegeliansandKarlMarx,p.28).Buttheyonlybecamea
politicalpartygraduallyandtheirpartywasneverexclusivelypolitical.TheywereadmirersofRousseau
andtheFrenchRevolution,theycomparedthemselvestothemountain(1amontagne)anditwasD.F.
Strausstheologicalbook,DasLebenJesusthatbroughtouttherealnatureofthegroupandhadthe
mostinfluenceonitsdevelopment(McClellan,p.3).TheirfocalpointwastheUniversityofBerlin,and
onlywhenFrederickWilliamIVsucceededtothethroneofPrussiain1840didtheattendantrelaxation
ofpresscensorshipopenthenewspapersforashorttimetotheYoungHegelianspropaganda.
ButeverywhereRousseau,thefreedomoftherationalwill,Kantsdoctrineoftheautonomyofthe
moralperson(whichheconfessedhelearnedfromRousseau),andtheresultingFrenchRevolutionwere
thegalvanizingfactorsintheformationofmodernpartysystems.Christianshadwithdrawn

intellectualisticallyintotheabstractworldoftheologicalconceptualizationandregardedfaithasactual
orimpliedassenttoacertaininternallymoreorlessconsistentsystemofpropositions(thedrive
towardsunityintheologyasinanyscience,likelogicorphysics),orelsehadreactedagainstsuch
theologisminmovementslikePietismor,inRomanCatholiccircles,Quietism.Theworldstagewas
emptiedsothatthenewsecularworldviewofrationalismcouldtakeoverthedriversseatandgive
directiontohumanaffairs.
Thisnewmovement,afterthemakeshiftsettlementof1648(ThePeaceofWestphalia),whichcausedits
provisionsnevertobewidelyenforced,wasaradicaldeparturefromthepast.Inthecourseofthe17th
and18thcenturiestheunbeliefoftheItalianRenaissancehadcrossedtheAlpsintoFrance,England,and
returned,andwiththeRevolutionbrokeoutintothepracticalaffairsofmenslives.Read,forexample,
chapter13ofErnstCassirersbookTheMythoftheStake.
NowforthefirsttimetherebreaksoutintothepracticallifeofEuropetheviewthatmenhavenoneed
ofGodorofanyWordfromHimthatwouldgiveDirectionsalutaryDirectiontoourlifeinthisworld.
Inthisrationalisticmovementwemenarethoughtofasbeingonourown,ashavingcomeofage.Self
determination(oftheindividualandofpeoples)hasbeentheparoleeversince.IntheWarsofReligion
menstillhadlargelythoughtofreligionasthefundamentaldynamicoflife,butsincetherewasno
unanimityofconviction,nouniversalconsensuscouldbeachievedexceptthatone(dogmatic)partyor
theothercametoprevail.ThustheWarsofReligionandconsensuswasnecessaryforastablesociety.
Now,rationalistscomeonthescenedenyingthatreligionisthefundamentaldynamicofhumanlife.
Rationalitytakesover,andtheuniversalvalidityoftheoldorthodoxy(quodsimper,quodubique,qyod
abomnibuscredendumest)giveswaytotheciaimofthenewmenoftheuniversalvalidityofaReason
commontoallmen.Asonemanputit,Laraisonestdetouslesclimats.
ThisconceptofReasonwasinfacthumanconcoction,andwasinrealityasubstitutefortheveryWord
ofGoditself.IntheconceptofReasonmanwasassuringhimselfwithrespecttotwobasicandrelated
needs.First,hisneedforcertainty.Inhisdeepestselfmanis,nowinthisrationalistview,theTruth.And
withtheapriorisofReasonhehimselfgivesOrdertotheworldofhisexperience.Thisroleproperly
belongstotheWordofGod,GodsrevealingofHimselftousmen.ButintheconceptofReasonthe
handofGodiswithinmansownrationalnature.AsTomPainesbookproclaimed,ReasontheOnly
OracleofGod.Menssecondneedisforcommunity,andintheconceptofReasonthepossibilityof
humancommunityisnotinconversionandacommonobediencetotheWordofChrist,butinaworking
outofarationalitycommonlysharedbyallmenbelieversandunbelieversalike.IntheRevolution,for
whichthisrationalismpreparedtheway,theOrderofGodbecomestheOrderofMan.Herewefeelthe
religioussignificanceoftheRevolution.TheDivineOrderisturnedupsidedown,notinreality,butinthe
mindsofmen.Fromnowonpoliticalorderisreducibletofreeindividualacts,toavoluntarycontractual
submissionofthegovernedinwhattheytooktobetheirowninterest.Here,insteadofpoliticsbeinga
servingofGod,anadministrationofHiscreationinHisName,itbecomesapoliticsofselfinterestsand
ofgroupinterested(belangenpolitiek;pressuregrouppolitics).ThinkofthevictoryofLockeandthe
Whig(rationalist)viewsinthesocalledGloriousRevolutionof1688,asoveragainsttheToryStuartidea
ofthemonarchsrulingbydivineright.

ThisreligiouscharacterofRationalismintheFrenchRevolutionundoubtedlyaccountsforitsstrange
fascinationforallthemenofthetime,andindeeddowntoourowntime.TheRevolutionhastodowith
aradicalchangeinthereligiousdirectionofmanslifeonearth.AsanoverturningoftheOrderof
Creation,establishedandpreservedbytheveryWordofthelivingGodintoamanproducedOrder,it
revealsitselfasRevolutioninthereligioussense,arevolutionagainsttheLawandOrderofGod,against
themediatorialRuleofChrist,againstthewitnessoftheHolySpirittotheWordofGod,inshort,against
GodsrevelationoftheTruthofourcreationalsituation.
Inallthewritingofthelastcenturyandahalf,theconstellationofeventsthatgoesbythenameFrench
Revolutionstandsoutaboveeverythingelse.Englishmenoflettersalmostwithoutexceptiongreeted
therevolutionarymovementacrossthechannelasthedawnofanewdayofhopeforallmankind.
Wordsworth,referringtoaloveaffairinFranceatthetime,wrotelater,
Blisswasitinthatdawntobealive,
ButtobeyoungwasveryHeaven.
ButEdmundBurkeabhorredwhathesaw.Allmen,howevertheyviewedit,hadakindofpresentiment
thattheyhadtodowithwhatwastakingplacethereinFrance.Eversince,menhaveunceasinglybeen
attemptingtodeterminetheirpositionswithrespecttotheawesomeevent.
EdmundBurkealreadywrotein1796thatitwasaworldrevolutionfundamentallyaffectingall
humanity.Hesaid,ItisnotFranceextendingaforeignempireoverothernations;itisasectaimingat
universalempire,andbeginningwiththeconquestofFrance.
Butinourowntime,afterthepositivisthistoriographershavehadtheirday,therehasbeenastrong
returntotheviewthattheFrenchRevolutionisperhapsthemostfundamentaleventofmoderntimes.
KarlJaspers,whosenameyouallrecognize,writesofitthatitwasaneventwithoutprecedentin
humanhistory,andthatsincetheFrenchRevolutionthereisaspecificallynewawarenessoftheepoch
makingsignificanceofthetime.
HansSedlmayer,arthistorianattheUniversityofMunich,inabookpublishedin1955writes:
Intheyearsanddecadesbefore1789aninnerrevolutionsetinEurope,therangeof
whichthemindcouldnotdiscern:theeventswegrouptogetherunderthename
FrenchRevolutionarethemselvesonlyamorevisibleaspectofthisawfulinner
catastrophe.Uptothepresentwehavenotsucceededingettingafirmholdonthe
situationthiseventhascreated,neitherinthespiritualnorinthepracticalrealm.To
understandwhattheretookplaceisperhapsthemostvitaltaskassignedthehistorical
sciencesingeneral:inthisturningpointofhistoryweareinterestednotonlyas
historiansbutquiteimmediatelyasmen.Forwithitourpresentbegins,andfromitwe
cometoknowoursituation,cometoknowourselves.
Rationalism,thenewviewofman,thegroundofhiscertaintyandthepossibilityofcommunity,theview
thatmanistheultimateordererofandbestowerofmeaninguponhisexperience,wasahumanistic

substitutefortheChristianreligion.Thetraditionaldefinitionoforthodoxy,viz.quodsimper,quod
obique,quodabomnibuscredendumest,becamethelaraisonestdetouslesclimats.
Itwasarevoltagainstwhateverofdivinerevelationhadguidedmenslivesandactionsinthepast.Itis
thisthatmakestheFrenchRevolutionsuchafundamentalturningpointinhumanhistory.Edmund
BurkeusedreligiouslanguagetodescribetheRevolutionasasectaimingatuniversalempire.Itwasnot
justachangeofdynasties.Itwasanewkindofpoliticalevent.Sincethenwehavehadasuccessionof
revolutions1830,1830,1848,LatinAmericanrevolutions,theRussianRevolutionof1917,theChinese
Revolutionandmenhavecalledtheperiodofthe19thand20thcenturiestheAgeofRevolution.Men
havespokenofthePermanentRevolution,andafamousarticleinFortunemagazine(Feb.1951,p.68),
laterseparatelyreprinted,carriesthepregnanttitle,TheAmericanProposition:APermanent
RevolutionintheAffairsofMen.
TheReignofTerrorintowhichtheRevolutionsoquicklyturned,forcedmentorenderanaccountof
whathadhappened.Threedistinctattitudesorstancesemerged,andthisiswhatweshallhaveto
understandifwearetogettothebottomofourpresentsystemofpoliticalpartyorganization
A.TheConsistentBelievers
Therewere,first,theconsistentbelievers,thecompleterationalists.Somemen,beholdingtheblood
bathinallitshideousness,continuedontheircourseinastraightline,determined.Theybelievedfullyin
theircause,whichwasthatreligion,andspecificallytheChristianreligion,hadbeenabadsuperstition
thathadheldmenbackfromthatcompletescientificmasteryoftheconditionsoftheirexistencewhich
wouldbringpeaceandblessednessonearth.Theywantedtofreethemselvesutterlyfromtheirpast
enslavementtosuchbondsandfivethemselveswholeheartedtothetaskofselfredemption.They
coulddoitinthepowerofReason.Reasonwouldshowthewaytohumanitysunbelievablyglorious
future.But,then,theyhadtofollowitsdemands.ReasonwastheLaw,theLawofFreedom.Theywould
havetobeconsistent,nomatterwhat.Thosewhohadlearnedhowbesttoapplytheirrationalpowers
totheconquestoftheenvironmentweretheoneswhospokewithReasonsownauthority.
Theywererationalismsleaders.E.G.membersoftheEcolePolytechnieneinParis.Thisisaperversion
ofthescripturalideaofoffice.They,theeliteofReason,hadbytheirrationalanalysisandtechnical
planningtomaketheworldsafeforallitsinhabitants.Theuninformedandwillfulmasseswouldhaveto
becompelledtoobeythecleardictatesofReason.Afterall,thesalus(salvation)ofallthepeople,even
ofallpeoples,isatstake.AndsotheseeliteclassesofReasonproceedtocutoffheads.Outofasingle
hearteddevotiontotheirPrinciple.Mindyou,outofa(somewhatabstract!)loveforallmankind.
Anyonewho,withoutequalrationalinvestigationandinsight,proposessomeothercoursemakes
himselfguiltyofopposing,nottheopinionofacertainnumberofhumanvoices,buttherevelationof
Reasonitself.ButReasonisthepowerthatsaves.Opposition,therefore,islikeproposinggenocideor
racesuicide.Offwiththeheadsoftheopposition!Reasonfrees.Thentheoppositionmustbe
compelledtobefree!Repressivetolerance!
WhenwerenderanaccountofthehorribledeedsofthemenoftheTerrorwemustnotplaythis
featureshort.Dostoevshkyhaswrittenanumberoftimesaboutthedestructiveandevencriminal

possibilitiesofreason.InThePossessedagroupofpoliticalintellectualsareshownasbeingpossessed
bydevils,readytoscheme,lie,andevenkillfortheabstractidealsofProgress,Reason,andSocialism.
Itwasnotthattheywereextremeorruthless;itwastheirwholeheartedorpurecommitmentto
principle,inthiscaseafalseandthusdestructiveprinciple(adeceptionofSatan),selfworship.
TheseradicalbelieversinthecauseoftheRevolutionwereontheirway(themodernideaofProgress).
Therewasnolaw,exceptoftheirownmaking(theselflegislationofReason).Therewasnorevelational
LawOrderofCreationtowhichtheywerecreatedandofwhichtheywouldhavetotakecognizance.
Theworldforthemwasathoroughlyopenworldandendlessexperimentationwasthefreerouteto
travel.ThereisnomarriagestructureanchoredintheWordofGodwhichinspeakinggivesthecreation
itsstructure.Trycommunes,stateregulatedcohabitations,freelove;GodsLawWordholdsthemin
bonds.Theyseekfreedombutfindthemselveseverywhereinchains.Humiliatedanddefeated,they
standupagainandstruggleon.Theywant,aboveall,tobefree.Sometimessuchbelieversarenotfar
fromtheGospeloftheKingdom.
B.TheResignedBelievers
AsecondstancetowardtheawfuleventsoftheFrenchRevolutionwasthatoftheresignedbelievers.
Theirattitudecomesdowntosomethinglikethis:TheideaoftheRevolutionisOKbutwesimplycannot
allowallthatbloodshed.ThisgroupdidnotobjecttheprinciplesoftheRevolution,butonlytothespeed
andthoroughnesswithwhichtheconfidentbelieversproceededtocarrythemout.Theywantedto
travelinthesamedirection,butataslowerpace.Theywerelessthoroughlyabstractintheirlogic,and
morereadytoaccommodatethemselvestotherequirementsoftheimmediatesituation.Theymightbe
calledresignedbelievers.Theywerethepettybourgeoisie,theshopkeepers,whofounditinthe
interestoftheirbusinesstoslowdownthepaceofevents.Nevertheless,theywereoutspokenlyfor
freedomandforthem;too,freedommeantbreakingthebondsthatinthepasthadheldthemsubject
totraditionalspiritualandsecularauthority.Atheart,then,theywereprogressivists;theylookednot
tothebindingsofthepastbutonlytoanentirelyopenfutureofnewconstruction,ofinnovationof
novelty.OnlytheProgramwasnottobesoruthlesslycarriedout;toensuresuccess,theleadersofthe
Revolutionwouldhavetoreckonmoreconcretelywiththeexistingsituation.TheseweretheModerates
orLiberalsofthe19thcentury;nowsometimescalledLibertarians.
C.TheConservativeReaction
AthirdreactiontotheviolenceoftheRevolutioncriticizedthefundamentalideasoftherevolutionary
movement,butitdidnotcriticizethemfundamentallyenough.Themenwhosharedthisgeneralpoint
ofviewrepresentedanumberoftraditionsandheldthecommonpositionforvaryingreasons.What
theyhadincommonwasafearoftheabstractreasoningoftherevolutionaries,ofthelevelingtendency
oftheirideas,oftheirradicalrejectionofthepastinfavorofinnovationandthenew.Thesemenwere
opposedtoinnovationism,andtoprogressivism.Theywishedtoconservethevaluesofthepast,the
traditionalsocietalorder,theestablishedways.Somewerelargelyopportunisticconservatives,who
desiredabovealltoholdontotheirinheritedlandsandwealth,theirpositionsofprivilege.Butmany
reallybelievedinanOrderthatisprevioustoourdoing.Alargepartofthegroupwasundoubtedly

madeupofthosewhostill,albeitvaguely,representedtheoldsyntheticideaofmedievalChristendom,
passeddowninEngland,e.g.intheinfluentialwritingsofRichardHooker.Theyspeakofthefingerof
Godinhistory,ofDesign,evenofprovidentialoperationintheslowgrindingoutofthemillofhistory.
ButalongwithChristianswhomaybythinkingoftheGodoftheScripturestherearetheotherswhoare
thinkingintermsofAristotleshierarchyofformsofhisimmanentteleologyorpurposivenessof
nature,andoftheStoiccosmiclogos.Itisthisattitudeofsynthesiswhichprecludesconservatismsever
becomingagenuinelyChristianpoliticalmovementthatcouldprovesoinfluential,evendecisive,inour
troubledtime.Forfundamentally,conservatism,liketherationalisticmindofthe17thand18thcenturies
whichitprofessesonsomanypointstodespise,shareswiththatmindthefearofareligiouslydivided
culturallife.ItthereforeconfusestheCreationOrderestablishedbytheWordofGod,arevelational
Ordercapableofbeinggraspedbythereligiousheartofman,withanintelligibleworldorder,grasped
byintellect.Itmustthereforemakeitsappealtoreasonablemen;menofreason,andthusdoesnotget
tothebottomofthecrisisofourcultureandseethatrationalityisonlyatypeoffunctionalprocess
directedfromoutofaheartopenorclosedtotheWordofGod.
HerethenwehavethethreebasicattitudesthatemergedclearlyfromtheholocaustoftheFrench
Revolution:Theconfidentbelievers,oftencalledtheRadicals,whosebeliefinReasondeterminedthe
directionofpoliticallifeinthenewrevolutionaryage;themoderateprogressivistsorliberals,who
followedalonginthesameprincipaldirection,butmoreslowly,moregradually,accommodating
themselvesmoretoexistingcircumstances;andfinallytheconservatives,whosawmoreinthepastthat
oughttobeconservedandaccordinglyreactedagainsttheabstractinnovationismofthe
revolutionaries.
AfterthefirststageoftheRevolutionhadrunitscourse,thedirectionofwesternpoliticallifefelllargely
totheLiberalsorModerates,towhomtheRadicalsorconfidentbelieversappearedasextremists.These
Liberals,thoughinagreementwiththeprincipaldirectionoftheRevolution,hesitated,compromised,
accommodated,adjustedtheircourseofaction,intheirownoftenquitematerialinterest.These
Liberalshavetaughtus,wholiveinahistorytheyingeneralhavemolded,tobelievetheRevolution
wentwrongbecauseoftheexcessesoftheRadicals.WeChristiansmustseethatitwasnotanyexcess
thatconstitutedthefault,buttheessentialrevolutionarydirectionofevents;thereligiousdynamicthat
gavedirectiontoaffairswasadestructiveone.Theprincipiumheraldedbytherevolutionaries,viz.the
LightofReason,ReasontheonlyOracleofMan,etc.,isnotthePrincipiumoflife,butisanantithetical
distortion,andanothing(idol).Andtofollowitsleading,withwhateverdegreeofcommitment,in
whatevertempo,canonlyleadtoasickeningofsocietyanditsultimatedestruction,exceptforthe
interventionofGod,whoalwaysmaintainsHisThesis(Word)andrestrainsthedestructionwhichthe
wickedwouldbringabout.
AsChristiansweshouldhaverespectfortheRadicalsoftheRevolutiontotheextentthattheywere
believers.Theyhadseensomethingoftherealstructureoflife.Theirinfluencewasdestructivebecause
theyhadputtheirfaithinanidol,anondiny,anothing.
TheLiberalsmovedgenerallyforwardinthesamerevolutionarystressbuttheiradjustmentsoutofso
calledpracticalandutilitarianconsiderationsmadethemappearmorezakelijk(realistic),viewthe

drivingreligiousprincipleordynamicthatalonewasyetoperativetogivedirectiontothecourseof
events.
TheLiberalsaccusedtheRadicalsofanarchism.TheRadicalsaccusedtheLiberalsofhalfheartedness,of
irresolution.Butwemustrememberthattheconsistentformofanerrorisevenworsethanahalf
heartedembraceofit.Atthesametime,thosewhoembracetheprincipleoftherevolution
inconsistentlyi.e.theLiberalsareactuallypreparingthewayforthatveryendresultwhichthey
loathe.
TwogreatChristianstatesmenofthe19thcenturyGroenvanPrinstererintheNetherlandsandStahlin
Germanysawtherealnatureofthepostrevolutionarypoliticalsituation,whenthemodern
organizationofsystemsofpartieswasjustemerging,andmadethestatement:Wearenotafraidofthe
acutesicknessofradicalism;weareafraidofthechronicsicknessofliberalism.Wedonotfearradical
revolution,butgradualdissolution.Ithinkweoughttoponderthesewordsforalongtimewhenwe
reflectonthehistoryofpoliticallifeintheUSA.Inwhatdirectionhasourpoliticallifebeenslowly
pullingusovertheyears?Canwespeakoftheradicaldangerofliberalism?
Duringmostofthe19thcenturyradicalismremainedaperipheralmovementoutonthesidelines.But
therangeofinfluenceoftherevolutionaryideaswasconsiderablyenlargedintherevolutionin
Switzerlandin1798,therevolutionsof1815,1830,and1848.Thegreatmassesoftheuprootedworkers
(theIndustrialRevolutionwithitsinequities)werebecominginvolved.Inallthistherefelltothose
conservativeswetalkedabouttheextremelyheavytaskofattemptingtostemtherevolutionarytide.In
thiswaythepoliticallandscapeofthe19thcenturycametobedominatedbythetwofiguresof
liberalismandconservatism.
Soenthralledhadwesternmenbecomebythiswholeonrushingspectaclethatthechoicebetweenthe
progressivismoftheliberalsontheonehand,andontheothertheconservatives(originally)firm
rejectionoftheshallowandabstractReasonoftheEnlightenmentfortheaccumulatedwisdomofthe
ages,fixedinprescriptionandprejudice,traditionandhabit,couldnotbutappeartobethemost
fundamentalchoicewithwhichtheywouldbeconfronted.Itappearedthatonlyconservatismoffered
resistancetotheabstractreasonandendlessexperimentationofthisLiberals.Thisisthepointofview
the20thcenturyhasinheritedthoughinasomewhatmodifiedformwhichIllexplaininamoment.But
therealchoiceinlife,whichisbetweenkeepingandrevelingagainsttheWordofGodseePsalm1,
esp.vs.6andProv.1,hasbeenmistakenlyshifted.Thepoliticaldisjunction,thepoliticalalternative,
theradicalchoiceinpoliticallifeissaidtobeliberalismversusconservatism.
IntheculturalmandategivenAdam;manistodressandkeepthegarden.Conservation(ofwhatwas
createdgood)andprogress(itsculturalunfoldingordevelopment)arenotalternativechoices,ofa
disjunction;theyareinfactcomplementaryaspectsoftheintegralhumantask.Thisincidentally,iswhy
theobservationthatwewillalwayshavecautionconservativesandaudaciousliberalsamongChristians
cannotjustifytheChristianbodysbeingtornasunderinthetwohumanisticmovementsof
conservatismandliberalism.

Butwehaveseenhowitcameaboutthat,wheninthecourseofthe19thcenturythepossibilityof
sharinginthedeterminationofthedirectionofthelifeofthestate(politicalparties!)wasopenedupto
thenewlyawakenedmassesofmen,theorganizationofpoliticallifefellexceptforthemoreorless
peripheralradicalmovements,intothetwosupposeddirectionsofliberalismandconservatism.Ata
certainpregnantmomentinthehistoryofwesternmenthischoiceappearedonthepoliticalhorizonas
thedecisiveandradicalchoiceofmankind.Thisexplainsthefeelingsofhighregardforehtwoparty
systemanditsidealdesirability,afeelingthatfrequentlycomesclosetoacknowledgingitssacro
sanctity.
Inthe20thcenturyRadicalismhascometotheforefront;smalleffortsatChristianactionhavearisenina
numberofEuropeancountries;andwefeelmoreinsistentlytheneedforamultipartysystemand
proportionalrepresentation.
II.

WHYOURPOLITICAINS,BOTHLIBERALISTICANDCONSERVATISTIC,HAVEBECOMEPRAGMATIC,
REALISTIC,FLEXIBLE,SUPPLE(BothNixonandMcGovernhaveusedthesetermstodescribethemselves
inthiscampaign.)
Theliberalismwhichgenerallygraduallygainedtheupperhandinthedirectionofpoliticallifewasnota
radicalorconsistentapplicationoftheantitheticalreligiouscommitmentrepresentedbyrationalism.
TheLiberalswerenotwholeheartedbelievers;theywerecompromisers.Theyhadrightlyseenthe
destructionthathadfolloweduponawholeheartedacceptanceofthepseudorevelationalprincipleof
Reason.Iftheyhaddrawntheconclusionthatthisprincipleofrationalismwasanidol,nothingatallbut
adistortionoftheTruth,theywouldhavebeenontherightpath.Butthisisnottherealsignificanceof
theliberalisticmovementinmodernpoliticallife.TheLiberalsofferednoprincipalcriticismofthefaith
oftheRadicals;theymerelycriticizedtheruthlessnessofexecutionofwhatweretakentoeReasons
demands.TheLiberalswantedanorderlyandquietcourseofevents,whatsomeonehascalledthe
silentrevolution.Thesebourgeoiscapitalists,weanedfromChristianity,hadthemselvesimbibedthe
spiritoftheEnlightenment.Buttheyneededpeaceandrestfortheirbusinessinterests.They
accommodatedthemselvestowhattheycalledthefactualsituation.Theyadjustedtothefacts.Without
distantiatingthemselvesfromtheprincipaldirectionofradicalism,theybecameskillfuladjusters.They
saidthattheyallowedtheimmediatefactualsituationtoguidethem.FortheChristianthefactsare
meaninglessexceptandviewedintheirsubjectiontotheLawWordofGodforthecreation.Butthis
insightwaslackinginliberalism.Recoilingformtheevilconsequencesoflivingwholeheartedlybythe
lightofthepseudoprincipleorpseudoWordoftheradicalrevolutionaries,theyfoundnothingtotake
theplaceofthatprinciple.Orrather,theyattemptedtoallowthefactstotaketheplaceofaprinciple.
Atthispointtheliberalsarewithoutdirection,blind,driftingwiththeimmediatesocalledfactsofevery
daysconcernformakingaliving.Theliberalsbecameopportunists.Supple,theyliketocallit.Butit
reallymeansblind.Thatiswhyourpoliticiansarelikerabbitsthatscatteratthesoundofthegunshot
intowhateverholeiscloseathand.
RejectingtheguidanceoftheWordofGod,liberalismcanoffernoresistancetotheantitheticalpseudo
principleoftherevolution.Actually,totheextentthatsomeguidingprinciplemustbepresent,itisthe
principleofthemodernrationalisticrevolution.Butatthesametimeitshideousrevolutionarycharacter

isobscuredunderitssupplelivingwiththefacts.(Thisiswhatthose19thcenturyChristian
statesmenmeantbyfearingthechronicsicknessofliberalismmorethantheacutesicknessof
radicalism.)LiberalismpullsusconstantlytotheLeft,butwithoutourbecomingsoveryconsciousofit.
Likewise,theconservativemovementwasnomoreablethanliberalismtoofferprincipialresistanceto
thegradualbutconstantrevolutionarydrifttotheLeft.True,theconservativeswereopposedto
innovationism.But,aswesaw,conservatismwasunwillingtodealradicallywiththereligiousrootofthe
Revolution.Fromthebeginningtheconservativepoliticalmovementbelongstothemodernworld.
EdmundBurkecameoutofaWhigbackgroundandhadimbibedmanynotionsoftheprevalent
humanismandenlightenment.Conservatismappealedtorationalityandanintelligibleorder,
supposedlycommontoChristiansandPlatonists,AristoteliansandStoics.Itwasnotaspecifically
Christianmovement.Reallyatissuewasthequestion,whatrevelationlightgivesusdirectioninourlife:
Byconfusingrevelation,whichisreligiouslyappropriated,withintelligibilitywhichisgraspedbya
commonrationality,theconservativesavoidedthequestionofareligiouslydividedEuropeanculture.
They,withtheLiberals,fearedareligiouslydividedEurope,andwereinclinedtoacceptrationalisms
alternative.Thisexplainsthepowerlessnessofconservatismtoturnthereligiousdirectionpoliticallife
hadtaken.
ConservatismfellintoanidentificationoftheLawWordofGodforhistoricaldevelopmentwithwhat
hasdevelopedinhistory(whichis,infact,acreatureresponsetoGodsWord).Overagainsttheabstract
rationalisticthoughtconstructionsoftherationalistsBurkeputtheorganicgrowthofEnglish
constitutionallawandinstitutions.TheconservativemovementbecamealliedwiththeHistoricRight
Schoolofjurisprudence.Thisschool,ErnstCassirertellsus(inTheMythoftheState),declaredthat
historywasthesource,theveryoriginofright.Thereisnoauthorityabovehistory.(p.228)Therights
ofmanarenotabstractlyconceivednaturalrightssectionedbyapriorReason;fortheconservative
seesthesanctionfortherightsofmenandofinstitutionsinthehoaryantiquityofthoserights.TheLaw
WordofGod,whichalonedeclareswhatisgoodandrightandjustisdrawndownintothehistoryof
processandidentifiedwiththefingerofGod,thegradualworkingoutoftherightinthedevelopment
ofhistory.Thus,thescripturalviewofrealityhasbeenreducedinthisconservatismtoaformof
historicalrelativism.Whateverestablishesitselfandgainsrecognitionintheslowgrowthofhistoryis
right.Hereweseeafundamentalkinshiptotheenlightenedviewofthepositiverightnessofallthatis.
Thereisnodivinelawotherthanandabovehistoricaldevelopment,nodisobedienceofmaninhis
workingouthislifeinhistory,noneedofreligiousreformation.Isallhistoricalchangeorganicgrowth?
Aretherenoirreconcilableconflictsinhistory?
Oncehavingtakenhispositionwithinhistoricaldevelopment,theconservativeislost.Forhistory
presentsuswithacontinuousflux.Atfirst,theconservatives,truetotheircriterionofhistorically
acquiredrights,defendedthetraditionalordersandclassesofEuropeansocietyandattemptedto
maintainagainsttheinnovationsofthenewpurelyrationallyconceivedsociety,theoldpatriarchal
conditions.Butverysoontheirrealproblembegantopressthem.Ifrightsarehistoricallyacquired,what
abouttherightsofthenewrevolutionarymovement?Thismovementwasgainingwidesupportamong
therisingindustrialclasses.Howfarwouldthishistoricaldevelopmenthavetogo,andhowlongwould
ithavetoprevailbeforeittoobecameintegratedintotheslowgrowthofhistory?Howhappywould

theChristianswiththeirconservativeideologyinanAsiaticorAfricancountrywheretheChristian
Churchsay,hadnohistoricallyacquiredrights,butcannibalismdid?
Caughtinthishistoricalrelativism,theconservativecouldeitherfallbackintoareactionarydefenseof
thepast,ofalreadyvestedinterests,andthusloseallgenuinerelevancyandhavenosignificantview
aboutthedynamic,,thenovel,inhistory;orhecouldfindhimselfinthemostunhappypositionof
followingalongafterthemoreprogressiveorinnovativeaccomplishmentsoftheliberals(ormore
radicalspirits),servingchieflyasabrakeuponthedynamicmovementofinnovation.Asthepowerof
theChristianfaithwanedinaquicklysecularizingEuropeandthebeliefinmetaphysicsapproached
collapse,thepositionofconservatismcametobemoreandmorethatofamiddleroadtakeiteasy
correctionofthemorevitalcoursedevelopedbyliberals.Youcanseewhythechargehasbeenleveled
thatconservatismasanideologylackswhatmightbetermedasubstantialideal,i.e.anormor
principleofitsownbywhichitcandevelopadistinctivestandpoint;thatthetagconservatismhasbeen
usedtojustifyanyexistingorder,atanystageofhistory;thatonedoesnotfindinconservativecircles
anyindicationofthecharacterofthepoliticalinstitutionsandwayoflifethatconservatismasan
ideologywouldbeinterestedindefending.
Thecollapseoffaithinmetaphysicalconstructionswhichcharacterizedthemiddledecadesofthe19th
centurycooledwhateverconvictionsmenstillheldastothecapacityofReasontodirecttheirlives.
Menwerebecomingawarethatmenhavenotreasonedinthesamewayinallagesandplaces.
AnthropologicalandethnologicalinvestigationstaughtEuropeanstherelativityofrationalinsight.
Enlightenmentbeliefinacommonreasonbegantofade.Butwithit,thereligiousstrengthofthe
revolutionarymovement.Itdidnttakelongtodrawtheconclusionthatifmensreasoningisdifferentin
differentsituationsitmaynotbeanauthoritativeDirectororPrincipleoutinfront(apriori)toahigher
instrumentofadaptationtoacontingentphysicalenvironment.Wheresuchaconclusionwasdrawn;
menwereleftwithoutaguidingPrinciple(theirfaithhadbeeninanidol,anothing)inaswirlingworld
ofchangingfactualstates.Thisdevelopmentbroughttheliberalmovementtootoapositionofblind
movementwithinfactualsituationsthatsupposedlysaidsomethingabouthowtoact.And
conservatism,whichhadinasimilarfashionfounditselfwithoutanysubstantiveideal,moreandmore
tendedtodragalongbehindtheliberals.
Nowbothconservativesandliberalsfindthemselvesimmersedinacommonfactuality,whicheither
speakscommonlytomenorcanbemasteredbytheapplicationofacommontechnology,the
traditionallyliberalmovementmoreprogressivelyexperimentingtowardsanewandenlargedfreedom,
thetraditionallyconservativegroupservingasabrakeuponinnovationandseekingtomaintainthe
establishedorder.
Wecanbegintounderstandthechargethathasbeenmadeofthetweedledumtweedledeecharacter
ofconservatismandliberalism.Wecanbegintounderstandthewidespreadpoliticalapathywhich
characterizedthestudentworldofthe50sandnowonceagain,inamodifiedform,afterthewild
uninformedplungeintoactivismofthe60sseemstobefoundinlargeareasofthestudentworld.

Everywhereintheworldofmodernpoliticallifeweencounterthisliberalconservativepolarity.There
twomovementshaveinrealitylosttheiroriginalsenseofprovidingmankindwithitsgreatchoiceof
directioninlife.Thereisinhumanlifeadivergenceofwaysawayoflifeandawayofdeath,andthis
centralreligiousdirectionoughttofinditswayoutintopoliticalarticulation,sothatpoliticallifemay
shareintherealmeaningofhumanlifebeforeandundertheWordofGod.Butsuchameaningcannot
begivenaslongasweclingtoanorganizationofpoliticalpartieswhich,sincetheFrenchRevolution,has
becometraditional.Todaysomeseethewritingonthewallandspeakofthecomplementarityofthe
twoparties.Wemustremember,then,thecompletelyhumanisticorientationofboth.Liberalismtears
freedomandprogressoutoftheirconnectionwithmansresponsiblepositioninoffice,whereheis
calledtogivenewformtorealityinthefreedomofawholeheartedsubjectiontothelifesustaining
LawofGod,andthusitproclaimsadestructivedoctrineoffreedomandrights.Conservatismdrags
thereligiousOfficeofmandowntoordersandestablishmentswhichhaveariseninthecourseof
history,andthereforepresentuswithadistortedanddangerousviewofauthority(formwhichbecause
ofmansinjustice,violentreactioncanbeexpected).Moreover,conservatismcannotaccountforthe
dynamicunfoldingoftheKingdomofGod.Neitherofthesetwomodernpoliticalmovementscaninany
conceivablewaybeacceptablehomesforChristianpoliticalisright.Itfollowsthattheorganizationof
thepoliticallifeofapeoplewithinanationalterritoryintothiskindofbipolarstructureisjustaslittle
acceptable.Fortheimplieddisjunctionisnotaproperone;neitherofthealternativesiscorrectly
formulated,andthereisanotherpoliticalpositionpossible,viz.avigorouspoliticalarticulationofthe
centralreligiousknowledgethatChristianshaveinChrist;ascripturallydirectedviewoffreedomand
progress,ofauthority,ofsocietalorderandtheproperlimitsofpoliticalauthorityetc.IfChristiansdo
notallowtheirprincipialprotesttobeheardagainstthepresentstructurationofpoliticallifeanddonot
makeanattempttoarticulatetheirownpoliticalfaith,theycanscarcelybesaidtobewitnessingina
scripturalmannerintheirtimeandplace.Andiftheydonotthuswitness,theycanscarcelycomplain
whentheynolongerfinditpossibletoexpressthemselveswithintheculturalformsoftheirtimesand
thusfindthemselvessqueezedoutofthepubliclifeofthenationasChristians.
NoradicallyChristianmovementoughtevertoloseitselfinreformism,thatis,inadvocatingpiecemeal
reformsandsuperficialadjustments(bandaidmeasures)whichmerelymakeabankruptsystemwork
moreefficiently.Thisistofailtoliveatadistance,i.e.bythelightoftheWord.Christianpoliticalaction
mustneverbecomeakindofChristianfrontorganizationfortheAmericanwayoflife.Groenvan
Prinstererputitthisway:Togetridofanevilitisnotsufficienttocombatitssymptoms,butthegerm
hastoberemoved.Theonlyantidotetosystematicunbeliefisbelief,radicalandcomprehensivefaithin
theWordofGodthatliberatesalloflifefromtheEvilOne,andbestowsuponusGodsownorderand
peace,HisabidingShalom.