Tony, I think these days that there are some on the left of the ideological debate who are aware of human greed and sin.  The old socialist left ideology is no longer an accurate desription of many of those who oppose right wing individualism, in my opinion.

These days, the debate is over the extent to which government should foster collective approaches to solving economic problems and moral questions.  Some would argue that individual rights and successes should come first over and against interventionist policies of government. This is the new right wing, quite different from that of the Menzies era. Others argue that society and individuals are better served by more interventionist policies of govt that will sometimes restrict individual choices, moral choices and the financial successes of individuals. 

This gives us as evangelicals the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.  We ought to talk about Community, not collectivism or individualism.  Community picks up the biblical concerns for just government, care for the disadvantaged in society, and mutual responsibilities.  This will mean that we will have some things in common with the so called right and some in common with the left.

So then, in engaging with politicians I’d be talking about all this as a way to connect with and engage them, and seek opportunities to share the gospel with them.

Philip,

Thanks for those very insightful comments. It seems like you may have come up with a label that could rescue me from the solitude of Lee’s small ‘l’ liberal moniker. Could it be I’m a ‘Communitarian’ or perhaps a ‘Mutualist’?

Em, you don’t understand. Grocery shopping night in our house is a once a month treat. I take one kid only (on a strictly monitored roster!), we have take-away dinner together on the way, and then fill two trolleys completely to the brim at our local Woolies, before finishing with a chocolate bar from the tempting array at the checkout.  It’s excellent father-teenager time (it really is!).

TP