It’s a crazy time in American politics. It seems like the political divide is increasingly becoming entrenched. If you need any evidence for this (which you likely don’t), just look up more information about the Trump impeachment inquiry! We’re apparently in the middle of a so called “culture war” that doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. We regularly experience hate, violence, and poverty with no forthcoming answers or even agreement on what the real issues are. This is certainly not the most divided the United States has ever been, but it is still a critical time for Christian involvement in the broader political dialogue.
Part of what makes this so difficult right now is that we live in a transitionary time. Christians in the United States have traditionally been the central force in determining culture, values, and politics. This is quickly becoming not the case. The Christian worldview is increasingly marginal to mainstream society. Because that power dynamic is changing so rapidly, Christians struggle with how to engage in politics. Unfortunately, many Christians engage in ways that are un-Christlike. Others are just confused about how to participate.
Please remember that as you think about how you engage in the political process, this is a matter of faithfulness to God, as well as, witnessing to the outside world. We must be faithful in our politics. Not faithful to what we’ve been told are “Christian political views,” but what is true to what Jesus taught. We must also witness to the onlooking world about Jesus. The simple truth is that many people will never believe in Jesus and experience his grace because of the way Christians have engaged in politics. I hope you find that unacceptable, angering, and motivating for change.
1. The Kingdom of God is our true hope and responsibility.
Politicians will always promise hope, peace, and prosperity. For some it’s just a ploy to get elected. For other’s it’s a genuine desire to help others. In either case, our hope as Christians in the Kingdom of God, not political promises. Our hope is not in our country; our citizenship is in heaven. There will be a day when the United States no longer exists. And in that day, the Kingdom of God will still be standing. We find our peace in knowing that Jesus has given us new life so now we can forgive those who wrong us, love our neighbors, and build new communities that look like heaven. Some of these kingdom aspects can be realized in the broader culture (racial justice, help for the poor, etc.), but not all of them. There will always be a disconnect between what can be accomplished in the kingdoms of our world and what can be accomplished in the kingdom of God.
We have responsibility for the kingdom of kingdom of God in a different way than we do for the American Kingdom. We have a responsibility for the Kingdom of God. As his representatives, we have the responsibility of leading and serving in the kingdom. We must be diligent about allowing God to work through us. We must be adamant about living out his values. And we must confront the ways we’re not living up to his standard. We have a responsibility to the American Kingdom. We have the ability to shape our broader culture so we should take advantage of that. We steward the opportunity. However, at the end of the day, the American Kingdom is not our responsibility in the same way because it’s just another temporary secular government.
2. Faith must determine our political values.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we give our allegiance to him as King. Living in Jesus’ kingdom means every area of our lives must line up with his kingdom lifestyle. Jesus shapes our values, how we act, and what we stand for.
When we stand for things that are against what Jesus taught, it makes clear that either we have misunderstood what Jesus values or something else is shaping our values more than He is. It shows our allegiance is to something or someone else: our selfish desires, a political party, the American way, or anything else. When we allow other authorities to change our values into something incompatible with what Jesus lived and taught, we are no longer engaging politics as disciples.
This doesn’t mean we don’t listen and learn from others! Many people who are not Christians have caused me to reflect deeper on my understanding of God, scripture, and how I’m living. Our understandings of Him and His Word are never infallible. However, our commitment of faith must always stay foundational.
3. Our battle is not against people.
Paul says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Ultimately, people are not our problem; evil is. Even the person who we disagree with vehemently is not our true enemy. The true enemies are the spiritual forces of evil in our world. We are all subjected to evil and all of us struggle not to do evil. When we fight each other, we miss the real battle going on. The battle for godliness, justice, and peace. In the process, we end up hurting people who are made in the image of God.
This goes for political parties as well. Our enemy is not Democrats or Republicans (and no, this is not a weird plug for a third party). No party is the Christian party. All of them do some good things and all of them do some truly terrible things.
Another time Paul says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Because our battle is not against people, we don’t fight like people do. We don’t use personal attacks, belittling, slander or name calling. We don’t use our power to bribe or coerce others. We certainly never resort to violence. How we engage in politics is just as important as what we stand for. We don’t join in the political game for personal benefit, power, and money.
4. Care about the vulnerable and marginalized.
I’m confused and, at times, disturbed by how Christians can talk about politics. Many people believe that engaging in politics is about advocating for a better life for themselves. On one hand, this is natural and probably many people would view it. On the other hand, this is fundamentally inappropriate for a Christian. I think we have taught ourselves that it’s okay to be selfish when it comes to politics.
However, Jesus taught us to look to the needs of others, especially those who can’t stand up for themselves. How can we then advocate for policies that benefit the rich, the powerful, and/or ourselves? We can’t. At least not as disciples of Jesus. True Jesus followers have always stood for the poor, oppressed, women, marginalized, foreigners, sick, imprisoned, and children. We can’t kid ourselves into selfishly engaging in politics. We must prophetically call out injustices and work towards a better world for all people to live in.
The people of God have always done this within the church and in the broader culture. Martin Luther King advocated for change in the church, but he also knew that black individuals needed justice and equality in the broader world too. We could name all kinds of other examples.
Our faith must lead us to engage in politics in a way that represents Jesus well for the benefit of others. I hope this is helpful as you think through your role in process!
Join in the discussion in the comments, what do you think?
