Reformed Faith and Politics (1983)

This document is a concise summary (12 pages) of the Reformed Christian contribution to democracy and political ethics, based on a reading of the prophetic biblical tradition, and a policy statement (4 pages) on the rights and responsibilities of Presbyterians and other citizens as voters and elected officials. It does not idealize politics but opposes cynicism or single issue concentration; leaders have a high calling to accomplish as much justice as possible through government, itself (like the church) a good always in need of reformation. It affirms religious liberty and the separation of church and state and urges congregations to promote public dialogue and civil discourse. A book of essays also called Reformed Faith and Politics, edited by Ronald H. Stone, accompanied this policy.