We The People: Should Christians Engage in Politics?

Yes, of course they should.

I have heard it said that Christians should not engage in politics because:

•          God’s kingdom is not of this world
•          Separation of church and state
•          Jesus didn’t have a political party

But here’s the thing: we are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13). How do we do this unless we engage in the world around us? And how are we to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9) if we just sit idly by?

God’s kingdom is not of this world…

True, but our purpose in this world is not to sit and wait for heaven. Our purpose is to glorify God and fulfill the Great Commission. The political sphere is an important way we can do this! God calls us to be stewards of what He has given us, and our country is something He has given us to love, protect, and give over to God’s sovereignty.

Separation of church and state…

This argument comes from a misunderstanding of the United States Constitution, U.S. history in general, and the concept of worldview.

Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it say that there ought to be a separation of church and state. This phrase comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist church to assure them that the state would not interfere with free religious practice. In this letter Jefferson states, “…I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State” (Library of Congress, 1998). Jefferson wrote this letter to the Danbury Baptist Church to assure them that they could worship as they please without government involvement, not to suggest that their faith should remain separate from public life.

Being a Christian is not just a thing you do on Sundays or certain holidays. It’s not just the religion you chose among many possibilities because it sounds nice and works for you. And it’s not something you inherit through parentage. Being a Christian is recognizing that you can only be perfected through Jesus Christ and placing your faith in Him as Lord and Savior of your life. It is a worldview. It is something that permeates every part of life. I have heard people suggest that Christians should disentangle their faith from their political beliefs-leave your faith behind when you enter the voting booth! As a Christian, this is impossible. Frankly, it’s impossible for anyone with any worldview, Christian or not. The implication is to vote against everything you believe to be good and true, which is ridiculous. And after all, should Christians be excluded from “we the people” just for having countercultural beliefs?

Jesus didn’t have a political party…

No, of course not. The politics of the time when Jesus walked the earth looked different. They didn’t have Democrats and Republicans. But Jesus did show us by what He said and did, during his ministry and throughout the entire Bible, how we can be engaged in the world around us-including politics.

If you’re wondering what Jesus cares about that we ought to as well, you can find this in God’s word. You may ask, “how do I know who to vote for if both sides seem so bad?” Good question. My own struggle with this question over the past several years led me to feelings of apathy and powerlessness.

Here’s where I landed: Jesus cares about life.

Two of the biggest topics in culture lately center around abortion and LGBTQ. How do these issues offend God’s view of life? Abortion-that’s easy; it is the intentional killing of a human being in the womb. What about homosexuality? Homosexual relationships are not life-giving. They willfully thwart God’s design for marriage and family, and they prioritize good feelings and happiness over what is best for children and society at large. I could go on, but instead I’ll recommend Frank Turek’s book Correct, Not Politically Correct for further reading.

What about transgenderism? Besides the fact that it devalues humans by encouraging them to believe they are not “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), it encourages the use of medications and surgeries that cause infertility for no medical reason. Women who are encouraged to move forward with transition by taking cross-sex hormones and having surgeries such as mastectomy, phalloplasty, etc., often lose their ability to provide life-giving care should they change their minds. It is the same with men, who are often left sterile through attempts to transition. Also, as Christians we must not forget what God’s word says about his creation: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

This is why the Republican party is the lesser of two evils. Don’t get me wrong, the Republican party is a mess. To paraphrase John Cooper, the Republicans are taking us to hell in a handbasket. The Democrats are just taking us there sooner.

Look, it sounds bleak. But this is exactly why Christians need to step up and engage. Christians must not sit back and watch babies get aborted, children necessarily growing up without a mother or father because people prioritized their own romantic desires (or even the good desire to have children) over what is best for children, and young people’s bodies mutilated in the name of “gender-affirming care.”

Christians, do not let yourself get bullied out of political engagement. We are called to be salt and light. We are called not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed (Romans 12:2). Be bold, speak the truth, and stand firm in God’s word.

 

Additional Resources/References

When Harry Became Sally By Ryan T. Anderson

It’s Not Like Being Black by Voddie Baucham

When Culture Hates You by Natasha Crain

 

Library of Congress. (1998). Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists the final letter, as sent. Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists. https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/

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