Going Up? - Floor 13 - The Policy Wonk
Democrat? Republican? Amateurs! DC is run by the Wonks.
“Going Up?” is a light-hearted yet thought-provoking fictional series that explores encounters between a Christian (named Christian, sometimes Chris) and individuals with non-Christian worldviews. Set in an imaginary elevator, these brief but meaningful conversations dive into the “what” and “why” of each perspective, blending humor and seriousness to engage readers in exploring profound questions of faith, ethics, and purpose.
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The Setting
The elevator doors slide open, revealing a woman clutching a reusable coffee cup emblazoned with “Democracy: Slow, Messy, Necessary.” She’s juggling three color-coded binders, coffee, a legal pad filled with scribbled notes, and a phone call where she’s passionately debating the nuances of an obscure tax regulation.
Meet Sarah Smith—her friends call her “Subsection Smith”. She is a policy analyst, government strategist, and walking encyclopedia of legislative procedures. Her idea of light reading is the latest Congressional Budget Office report, and her personal hero is the person who wrote the Clean Air Act’s enforcement provisions.
The Policy Wonk’s Worldview
Policy wonks—those deeply immersed in the world of governance and legislation—see society as a vast, complex system that requires careful management. Their worldview is shaped by the belief that good policy leads to good outcomes and that incremental, data-driven solutions are the key to progress.
Sarah “Subsection” Smith is a devoted idealist when it comes to the government and the future of our nation, much less all of humanity. She and her friends could sum up their philosophy as follows:
Government as Order: Society functions best when structured through laws, regulations, and policies that maintain stability and justice.
Data Over Ideology: The best decisions are based on empirical research, not personal beliefs, traditions, or even Party loyalties.
Incrementalism: Big changes happen through small, calculated steps rather than sweeping reforms.
The Greater Good: Policies should maximize benefits for the most people while minimizing harm.
Regulation as Protection: Rules and oversight are necessary to prevent exploitation, corruption, and environmental destruction.
Public Service as a Calling: Government work is a noble pursuit, shaping society for the better through policy and law.
Faith and Politics: Religion may provide personal values, but governance should remain neutral and evidence-based.
Dialogue: The Government That Governs Best?
Sarah: (eyeing Christian’s lapel button) Jesus for President? Interesting. Has He filed the FEC paperwork yet? Kidding!!
Christian: (laughing) Not exactly. It’s more about His principles that should guide leadership. But look at you! You’ve got it all. Binders. Briefs. And coffee! I take it you are into the nuts and bolts of government?
Sarah: Nuts, bolts, washers, and every cog in the machine! Government is the ultimate puzzle, and policy is how we solve it. Society will work best if we have clear laws and structures, no matter who is in charge.
Christian: You see government as a necessary force for justice? For peace?
Sarah: Absolutely. Regulations keep corporations in check, policies ensure fairness, and government programs provide stability. Big change happens through small, incremental steps.
Don’t take this wrong way—not trying to disrespect you—but if we do it right, we won’t need religious doctrine—just sound policy.
I genuinely believe that good governance is enough to ensure justice.
Christian: So, in your view, the key to progress is evidence-based policy? If it’s good on paper, it’s going to work. Right?
Sarah: Exactly! Decisions should be driven by data, not ideology. That’s why I believe governance should be neutral—guided by research, not, as you might think, religious conviction.
Christian: That’s interesting. What about morality? Doesn’t every policy have an underlying moral framework?
Sarah: Sure, but morality should be defined in terms of the greater good. What benefits the most people while minimizing harm to the least number of people. That’s why I support government regulation—it protects the vulnerable and ensures accountability.
Christian: And I imagine public service is more than a job for you—it’s a calling?
Sarah: Absolutely. Good policy isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about shaping a better world. But tell me, how does the Christian faith approach governance?
Christian: That’s a great question. The Bible actually gives two perspectives on government that seem almost contradictory. Still, they explain exactly what you just said—the potential for government to do good and the danger of it becoming a nightmare.
Sarah: I’m listening.
Christian: I call it the R-13 Principle from the Book of Romans and Revelation.
Sarah: It sounds like a House Bill. Pitch me.
Christian: Romans 13 says government is ‘God’s servant for good,’ meant to uphold justice and keep order. But then Revelation 13 describes a government that stops serving and starts devouring—it turns into a beast, demanding absolute control. What begins as a protector can become a predator.
Sarah: (intrigued, taking a sip of coffee) That’s a handy way to remember it. And it explains a lot. Power does tend to corrupt.
(takes another sip) R-13. Romans. Revelation. Protector vs. Predator. You Bible people love your titles and alliterations!
Christian: (nods and laughs…then hopes she asks him his name) Government can be a blessing or a beast. What you are doing is essential. I mean, it’s really necessary for justice, but it can also turn monstrous when it stops serving people and starts taking control.
Sarah: So, where do you think we are now? Romans 13 or Revelation 13?
Christian: That’s the question every Christian has to ask.
Sarah: And I’d imagine the answer depends on what Cable News channel you watch, too! Fox News? MSNBC?
Christian: (laughs) When the government defends justice, it’s in line with Romans 13. When it crushes dissent, free speech, and the right to disagree, for example, AND then starts to demand ultimate allegiance, it’s veering toward Revelation 13.
Sarah: (leaning in) So how does the Christian faith fit into all this? What’s your policy for fixing a broken world?
Christian: That’s the heart of the Gospel. The problem isn’t just bad policy—it’s a broken humanity. Laws can restrain evil, but they can’t change hearts. That’s why Christ came—not as a political leader, but as a Savior.
Sarah: Savior from what?
Christian: From the ultimate corruption—sin. Every failed system, every unjust policy, and every oppressive regime stems from the same problem: human nature bends toward self-interest and self-preservation.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not by writing better laws, but by changing hearts.
Sarah: And how exactly does that work?
Christian: Through the cross. Jesus took on the justice we deserved—dying in our place—so that through faith in Him, we’re not just better rule-followers but transformed people. That’s the ultimate policy change.
Arrival: Floor 13
The elevator dings. The doors slide open. Sarah pauses.
Sarah: You know, I spend my life trying to fix things one policy at a time. But if what you’re saying is true… we might need more than policy.
Christian: It’s weird, maybe even a “God moment,” but I just finished writing a tract for my Sunday School class. It’s called “The King or the Beast”. Can I give you a copy? (Christian hands her the small booklet. Its subtitle reads “The R-13 Guide to Government”. She takes it and wedges it under her arm.)
Christian: Every law points to something greater. I'd love to continue the conversation if you ever want to talk more. My contact info is on the back of the tract.
Sarah: I might do that. Maybe you could come and give a talk at our weekly Power Lunch. What’s your name?
Christian: Christian.
Sarah: (laughs out loud) You're kidding. Really? I won’t forget that either. (Sarah steps out, glancing at the tract as the doors close.)
What’s your last name?
Christian: It’s on the tract. Have a blessed day…
Sarah: (She laughs out loud when she reads his last name.) Christian Goodman?? No way!!
Conclusion: The King or the Beast
The elevator doors close, leaving Christian alone with his thoughts. It’s a brief ride, but conversations like these have a way of lingering. Sarah was sharp—her faith in policy was unwavering, but even she acknowledged its limits. Governments can legislate justice, but they cannot create righteousness. They can curb corruption, but they cannot cleanse the human heart.
(There it was again. A clever alliteration: create and cleanse!)
The R-13 Principle—Romans 13 and Revelation 13—captures the tension Christians live with in every era. The government is God’s servant, but it can become a beast. We are called to respect its role while never mistaking it for our ultimate hope. The best policies cannot save a broken world.
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