More on Christians and Utilitarianism

As a follow-up to my last post on Christians and Utilitaranism I wanted to post to a few thoughts from Charlie Lehardy at Another Think that speak to this.  As a refresher, utilitarianism is an "ends-justifies the means" philosophy, and it is one that Christians often engage in during political disputes.  But we need to keep in mind that the Bible not only tells us that we must engage theological and political issues (as well as many others), but it tells us the manner in which we must engage.

Now, on to Charlie's comments:

Politics is fueled by discontent. In every election season, we Americans — the world's most prosperous and pampered people — take our complaints to the ballot box.

It's the nature of a democratic community that our collective unhappiness drives us to build something better. Like the oyster irritated by the grain of sand, all of human history has been a story of men and women working to smooth the edges of sharp stones.

Unhappiness can be good when it spurs us to action. But what if unhappiness becomes permanent? What if we are always discontented, always disappointed in the life we live, even when political fervor no longer prods us to see every cup as half-empty, or even bone dry?

And:

There is much we can legitimately complain about. But what are we grateful for? Where have we experienced God's mercy in our lives, and when was the last time we testified to his abundant grace, his overflowing goodness to us?

Are we somber, always obsessed with the many injustices we have suffered, or are we joyful, grateful for the unwarranted outpouring of God's blessing and mercy in our lives?

Is it possible that we are so caught up in our complaints that we have forgotten to testify to God's grace?

On the utilitarianism issue, Charlie's post got me to thinking of how, in the midst of politics debate, we can position ourselves as the "grace-ful" people of the earth.  If gratitude is to characterize us, how can this be shown in the midst of these debates?

Or, in another vein, if we are commanded to do all things without grumbling or complaining (Phil. 2:14), then what does this say about our manner of political engagement?

Or, if Charlie is correct that politics is fueled by discontent, what does this say about those of us who are to emulate Paul who had learned to be content in any and every situation (Phil 4:12)?  Are Christians allowed to be discontent?

Or, referencing my last post, one of the applications of David Gushee's concerns about utilitarianism is over ruthlessness in politics, or what appears to me to be "political victory via character assassination":

It elevates into positions of leadership and influence persons who gain power because they are effective practitioners of the dark arts of mortal combat rather than having more appropriate qualifications for their roles.

 

Can Christians engage in the ruthlessness and character assassination that seems to be part and parcel of political campaigns these days?

It seems to me that the whole utilitarianism issue goes pretty deep.

Comments

[Charlie]

Thank you for your link and kind comments about my post. And as usual, you've said some things I hadn't thought about. I think Gushee is right to be concerned about how easily we let ourselves become utilitarian when it seems to suit us, e.g. when advancing certain political goals, but are appalled by it in a great many ethical circumstances.

Gushee's observation that "we do not trust the justice of God" is probably right, and poses an interesting dilemma for Christians since we believe that Micah 6:8's command to "love justice" suggests an activist stance in the world.

So we must not be blind to injustice, but neither must we fall into discontent because of it. We must pursue a just and fair society, but we have to be realists about the limits of human will, the corruption of sin, and the fact that some injustices will not be answered for until Christ sits in judgment on us all. And in all this, we need to adopt methods that show Christ's love through us, rejecting the accepted brutality of the political process as it is practiced today.

Lots to think about, David. Thanks.