With respect to yesterday’s post on God-given rights and the idea that those in government should recognize a mandate from God to govern justly, I read a challenging article: Is Christ the Lord of New York City? by David Mitzenmacher, published on September 9, 2025, by World Magazine. It opens:

The Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City is a devout Muslim and an avowed socialist. Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman from Queens, has never hidden his religious identity. Born in Uganda and raised in New York, he fasts publicly during Ramadan… He frames housing and labor reform not as abstract technocratic aims, but as matters of justice rooted in divine obligation. Even his socialist protest actions are carried out in the name of moral duty. His faith does not merely accompany his politics; it animates them.

To secular progressives, this may appear a triumph of pluralism. To many conservatives, it may serve as another sign of America’s political decay. But for those with theological discernment, the imagery is striking: Islam, a religion of totalizing claims, does not hesitate to govern. It enters the public square with confidence, armed with an all-encompassing worldview and an unapologetic moral vision. It rejects the myth of neutrality and understands that law is never merely procedural but is always inherently theological.

In contrast, modern evangelicalism has grown timid. What was once a public religion rooted in the lordship of Christ over all creation has been largely reduced to personal piety. Christianity, in many quarters, no longer seeks to form cultures or shape law. It contents itself with managing personal anxieties and securing individual conversions. Modern Christianity asks to be tolerated, not to be heeded.

“Modern Christianity asks to be tolerated, not to be heeded.” Ouch. He goes on:

But the gospel is not a private experience; it is a royal announcement. The Jesus we proclaim is not a lifestyle guru—He is the risen and reigning King. The New Testament declares that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18). The Church has always confessed this. The tragedy is that there are so many self-proclaimed Christians who no longer act as if they believe it.

The article goes on. I recommend it to you in its entirety. He closes with:

The question is not whether religion will influence the public square. The question is: which one? Either we recognize that Christ is Lord of New York City, or others will try to give that title to someone else. – David Mitzenmacher, September 9, 2025

Jesus is Lord. Do we live that way? And what would that look like? I confess, I don’t know the whole answer to that question. Should we be public in our faith as Vice President Pence was in 2020? Or should we be focused on making a difference where we are? I’ll have more to say about that tomorrow.

Jesus is Lord. Maybe we should ask him what he wants us to do and listen for his guidance.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord… (Romans 10.9, ESV)

So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above…” (John 19.10, 11, ESV)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” (Matthew 28.18, ESV)