A word for the Speaker

The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27

If there are so many professing Christians in the Australian Parliament, then why is the tenor and content of discussion and debate so debased? Why is the speech so disingenuous? Why so simplistic? Why so little courtesy and grace? Why so few straight answers to important questions?

I recently did a week’s “work experience” in the Australian Federal Parliament. It was absolutely fantastic.

As a Christian with an interest in politics, this was a huge privilege. I saw how it all worked. I was able to meet politicians, staffers, lobbyists, and other contributors to the political machine. I was able to view, through my gospel lenses, how this place of worldly power works.

And so, at church on the Sunday morning after, I was chatting with people about this Christian, political, study tour of sorts.

The comments that came in response to me sharing my experience were instructive. “So did you go and listen in on the high schoolers arguing?” someone asked. “No, no: it’s the primary school yard in Question Time” another quipped. “They’re just a joke.” Why can’t our pollies interact with a little more dignity? Why can’t their conversation be a little more gracious, salt-seasoned?

One of the real highlights of the week, was the fact that that there were a good number of Christian MPs. And I’m talking Christians who are known as Christians, and not afraid to be known as such. Christians who want to serve, indeed love the people of this nation… and of other nations for that matter. Christians on both sides of politics.

And so, in no small part, the presence of this sizeable minority of Christian MPs has inspired me to critique one element of our political scene: the speech of parliamentarians.

If there are so many professing Christians there, then why is the debate so debased?

Many of these good and faithful Christian parliamentarians would probably answer that question by simply suggesting that it’s just the way it is. The nature of the beast. And of course there’s evident truth in that. And of course, we must remember also that the media does have a notable influence on the quality and tone of discourse.

But the Christian idealist in me isn’t satisfied with that.

We saved sinners, are saved by grace, and are called to live graciously. Speech is central to our faith. We trust in the incarnate Word, in response to hearing the gospel word. (Cf. John 1:12, Rom. 10:8-9) And in our repentant lives we then seek to speak good words. We indeed speak the gospel itself! (2 Cor. 5:19-20) But we are also taught much about the flavour of all our speech.

Ephesians 4:29-31 provides one of many injunctions:

No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.

The sum of this reflection is that speech is profoundly important. And politicians could perhaps do with a reminder about what God does via speech and what He requires when it comes to our speech.

I did say Christian idealist…

So can you imagine the effect on the tenor of talk if everyone of this sizeable minority of Christian MPs refrained from ever shouting? Refrained from ad hominem attacks, from “politician’s answers”, from harsh or empty speech? Can you imagine if the Christians never spoke out of turn in the chamber? Can you imagine if they acknowledged the strengths in their interlocutor’s argument? Admitted when they were wrong? Were reluctant to make promises for fear of not coming good on them? Can you imagine if there was a palpable sense of respect for the other in the words of the professing believers? Can you imagine if they were known to be always quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger? (Jas. 1:19)

God has bestowed great creative potential upon us; and what’s more, in giving His Son for us, He’s also taught us the humility-shaped way to interact with one another. Why not get excited about the challenge of giving great, seasoned speech within the halls of power?

Surely, this would all amount to a profound blessing to parliamentarians’ personal evangelistic witness and to the parliamentary pursuit of the good of the nation?

I’m dreaming of day that we’ll never see on this side of heaven. How fortunate it is that we rely on God’s Word and not our own.

But maybe it’s still a dream worth dreaming, in the light of our commission to be a light on a hill? What’s more, maybe it’s a dream worth dreaming whatever sphere we find ourselves in: pollie, painter, professional, punter, preacher…?