Scotland: Yes or No?

Last week Church of Scotland Moderator John Chalmers hosted an event in Glasgow in which two leading politicians debated their opposing views on Scotland’s future. It seems that the whole of Scotland is caught up in the big debate.
 

For a long time, opinion polls suggested that the ‘No’ option led by an unassailable majority. But over the last few weeks we’ve realised with apprehension or excitement depending on our point of view that a ‘Yes’ majority is possible.

It means that every one of us is having to consider our own position seriously. Some listening to the debate are growing convinced that independence would a divisive option, fraught with incalculable risk. Others are realising that an independent Scotland could be made to work – for them, what seemed unwanted and impossible is now desirable.

But on such an important issue why is someone not articulating a clear Christian view? Why are there Christians on both sides of the debate?

The reason is that the Bible (our key resource for shaping our thinking) and Christian theology don’t give hard-and-fast guidance on this issue.

This is expressed well by Dr Jamie Grant from the Highland Theological College in an article outlining some relevant biblical principles.

The Bible’s main emphasis, he argues is on inclusion, rather than division. The most desirable way of governing a nation is the one which enables it to reflect and honour the values of God’s spiritual kingdom of which all believers are part – values such as justice, goodness and integrity.

According to the Bible, Jamie continues, there’s no room for the divisive nationalism which scorns others because of their country of birth. Finally, Christians will seek the way of being Scotland which most enable us not only to embrace God’s values, but to express and share our faith in Jesus Christ.

These are principles which all Christians accept. In the days before the 18^th, if we have not already done so, we will evaluate the case for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, and consider the options in the light of Jamie Grant’s four points.

But Jamie also reminds us that the God of inclusion is also a God who rejoices in national uniqueness and cultural identity. God, we believe, cares about Scotland.

This is the God to whom the future is present, a God who knows both the future that will be, and the future that could have been, a God who discerns the consequences of whichever decision we make as a nation on the 18^th, a God who knows which option is best for Scotland’s future.

So why, given all our talk as Christians about sensing the prompting of God in our lives, the inner voice saying ‘This is the way to go’, why does God not make clear to us what that best choice is? Why does one prayerful Christian reach one decision and feel a familiar inner peace about that decision, while another prayerful Christian’s opposing decision is similarly baptised in a sense of peace.

Is God playing games with us? Doesn’t it make a mockery of our claim to be the people of a God who speaks?

We believe that one of the most precious gifts God gives us is freedom to choose, freedom to make mistakes. And so, facing next week’s vote, we are truly and scarily free. We can choose either option. 

Perhaps the way we choose – in reflective prayerfulness, taking the long view of what is best for Scotland, rather than prompted by self-interest, or mindlessly following the crowd – matters more than what we choose.

‘Yes’ supporters are brilliant at articulating the dream of a better, fairer society. But it’s easy to dream of better things lying beyond dramatic change; much harder to fulfil the dream in the reality on the other side of 18^th September.

It’s true that government policies affect a nation’s prosperity and ability to care for those who need help. But however Scotland is governed in future, it will be a better place only when people on the ground commit to fulfilling the dream of a better society – in their care for others, their seeking the good of others, their tough love, generosity, their self-sacrificial spirit.

Or to use Jamie Grant’s language, when as individuals we embrace the values of God’s kingdom. Scotland will change when we are the change.

Again, we are free to choose but this time there is no doubt which choice God – the God who inspires and strengthens us in fulfilling the divine dream – urges us to make.

(Christian Viewpoint column from the Highland News dated 11th September 2014)