9.1. Lost In The World

Let’s start from the beginning. A country is simply a group of people. As the group grows, structures are built to maintain control. Without order, communities fight or even kill each other, so laws and police emerge. When conflict crosses borders—where no one can impose authority—it becomes war. Governments need resources to operate, so they collect taxes in exchange for security, justice, and order. Surpluses often enrich the powerful or get handed out as economic aid. To prevent outright tyranny, democracies disperse power—allowing citizens to choose leaders and policies, for good or for evil, so long as the minority yields. Yet democracy can also feed a thirst for power or freedom, as history has shown in the election of mass murderers and abortion. In time, capitalists rose to replace military conquest with influence gained through serving customers and amassing wealth.

But none of this—monarchy, democracy, capitalism—was built to give eternal life in Christ. Modern Christians often try to weave faith into government, hoping to imitate Christ or pass laws that protect Christian life. Yet history reminds us of a vision that often confuses: “Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (Unam Sanctam) Most nations today exist to preserve civic peace, not to submit to pastoral direction. Still, in the eyes of most of the western world, the Pope is expected to stand as the faith-less moral voice in Christian lands after Church and State separated.

In recent decades, as Christians have either withdrawn from public life or blended into its secular mold, their influence has faded and sinful philosophy takes over. Many believers now pursue political careers or public influence under the banner of “serving Christ,” yet the result is often a more secular and Christless society. We all can learn to distinguish between the Church’s reduced moral voice in politics and her true mission: the salvation of souls. For those who seek meaning and purpose, let's first love Jesus, then help advance up His mission: Him to raise those who love Him on the last day. Whatever we do in society, we must ask: “In the eyes of the world, what is the purpose of my work?” Then, use that very work to spread Christ and support missionary efforts—so that His name is not just remembered, but proclaimed.