POLITICS

Politics according to Encarta Dictionary is the theory and practice of forming and running organizations connected with government

Politics has its earliest written record in the 1520s. It means “science of government,” from politic (adj.), modeled on Aristotle's ta politika “affairs of state,” the name of his book on governing and governments, which was in English mid-15c. as “Polettiques.”

“Politics is the science of good sense, applied to public affairs, and, as those are forever changing, what is wisdom today would be folly and perhaps, ruin tomorrow. Politics is not a science as properly as a business. It cannot have fixed principles, from which a wise man would never swerve, unless the inconstancy of men's view of interest and the capriciousness of the tempers could be fixed.” [Fisher Ames (1758-1808)]

The meaning of politics as “a person's political allegiances or opinions” is from 1769.


EVANGELISM

Evangelism according to Encarta Dictionary is the spreading of Christianity, especially through the activities of evangelists.

According to wikipedia, Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity, where the scriptures often describe “evangelism” as “spreading the Gospel”.

Christians who specialize in evangelism are known as evangelists whether they are in their home communities or acting as missionaries in the field. Some Christian traditions consider evangelists to be in a leadership position; they may be found preaching to large meetings or in governance roles. Christian groups who actively encourage evangelism are sometimes known as evangelistic or evangelist.

The communication of Christian faith to new geographical areas and cultures is often referred to as evangelization, or specifically, world evangelization.

ETYMOLOGY

The word evangelist comes from the Koine Greek word "euangelion” via Latin “Evangelium”, as used in the canonical titles of the four Gospels, authored by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (also known as the Four Evangelists). The Greek word originally meant a reward for good news given to the messenger and later “good news”.

The verb form of euangelion, euangelizo (transliterated “evangelism”), was used rarely in Greek literature outside the New Testament, making its meaning more difficult to ascertain. Parallel texts of the Gospels of Luke and Mark reveal a synonymous relationship between the verb euangelizo and a Greek verb “kerusso” which means “to proclaim”.

Our modern word “Gospel” comes from the Old English word “Godspell.” In Old English, “god” with a long “o” meant “good,” and “spell” meant “word” (we carry this meaning also in our word “spelling”). So in other words, “Godspell” meant “good word,” specifically the good tidings concerning Jesus Christ.

ORIGIN

According to the Christian Bible, during his last days on earth Jesus commanded his disciples as follows:

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  - Matthew 28:19, 20 

Other translations render the phrase “make disciples of all nations” in the above quotation as “teach all nations.” Jesus is also quoted in the Gospel of Mark saying, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature - Mark 16:15


THE DIFFERENCE AND THE SIMILARITY

What’s so different between the two? The line that separates these two is belief or what we call religion. Politics is about the state while evangelism is about religion (Christianity). There has been a law that there should be a separation between church and state (Article II Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution). The question is not why but what: what were the restrictions between them? Are they to be totally isolated one from the other?

The difference of belief between church and state is what made our country weak. Ever left your belongings for a day? What do you think will happen? In Thailand, Singapore, Japan and so many other NON-CHRISTIAN nations, your things will remain untouched. But here in our own country, what do you think will happen to your belongings? It won’t last 5 minutes and it will be gone! And we are a CHRISTIAN nation! Can you see what’s wrong with this picture? A Christian nation with an undisciplined people compared with non-Christian nations with disciplined people.

The defense of most Christians is due to the intervention of the church with the state. But that is not true! The whole reason why our system is so corrupt is because of lazy-Christians who won’t do the job the Lord had given them. They forgot to evangelize.

If politics is about the formation of organization to have good government and evangelism is about the spreading of the good news (the Gospel of Christ) to form an organization to have a good government then politics and evangelism is the same! Thailand has successful governance because of the unity between church and state. China, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan concentrate on having their government as their religion (being communist). Through the oneness of the religion and government, good governance follows.

Thus, it is not good to say that evangelism is through because all we have to do is to prepare for the coming of our Lord. That is entirely a misconception! If you won’t evangelize then you are not preparing yourself for the coming of our Lord. Through evangelism comes preparation. Evangelism is the key to good governance. How else could the people vote for the right candidate if they can’t figure out right from wrong? How could the people know for sure that the person that they have chosen will be the person God wanted them to vote if they weren’t taught about the Gospel of Christ? Through evangelism births good governance.

Evangelism is the key. It is the Great Commission of our Lord in Matthew 28:19-20. It was commanded in Mark 16:15, John 15:16 and Acts 1:8. We are not only to preach the gospel but to be witnesses wherever our feet will guide us. As Christians, it is our duty to disseminate God’s word to all man to have a better nation. It is not up to the candidates. It is up to us.

Now, the question is, are you Christian enough to follow God’s commands? If you are then join us in our crusade of preaching God’s goodness to the entire world. God bless and happy soul-winning.



Politics and Evangelism
By Ptr. JC Balao