Political Images in Scripture, Part Two

Here are the remaining items in Dr. Barr's list:

4) The eschatological image: Evoking a vision of a new world to come and hence a new world order in which God will restore all things and banish evil, re-establishing his direct rule over his creation. Political upheaval and violence are often seen as heralds of God’s actions in human history (Mark 13:7-8). Such a viewpoint can encourage isolationism, interventionalism, and sympathy for revolution.

5) The image of migration/pilgrimage: The people of God are wanderers, pilgrims, strangers in a strange land. This world is not their home—they are seeking a better country (Hebrews 11:13-16). Separatist movements, self-exile, colonization are common embodiments of this idea.

6) The image of liberation: The redemptive picture of the Exodus—God freeing his people from an oppressor. Solidarity of the people of God with the downtrodden, the poor, the burdened; seeking deliverance from evil circumstances. But the Hebrews of old were not asked to issue calls for social reform in Egypt, and when they went to Canaan they subjugated (even massacred) the inhabitants there.

And this is likely not an exhaustive list. We can readily see, then, that the task of identifying the political perspective of Scripture is not easy. People with particular worldviews have often been able to go to the Bible and find corroboration or encouragement for their ideas and goals. Searching out the whole counsel of Scripture is our charge. Because there is ultimately one Author of Scripture we may be confident that a unified perspective is contained therein--we must be diligent to discern his voice and submit to it.