Christians and Politics

As we approach the November elections, political convictions that lie underneath the surface of who people are suddenly intensify and boil to the top. Words fly, promises are made, accusations exchanged and passions build. Candidates draw lines and voters pick sides. "Christians" too, get caught up in the excitement, hosting "Christian" news programs, telling "Christian" voters who the "Christian" pick is, or what the "Christian" stance on any given issue is. Others, not wanting to be viewed as "activists", or trying to prove they are "citizens of another kingdom", simply stay away from it all.

Which is right, though? What should the Christian's attitude be in the midst of all the political turmoil? Should we throw in our lot with a certain candidate? Should we champion a cause? Should we stage protests and boycotts? Should we simply sit back and watch a pagan world do pagan things? The answer is complex. It is an answer we should not arrive at quickly. It is, nonetheless, an answer that should be arrived at. It should be well thought out; prayerfully considered.

The Christian's attitude towards politics should be grounded in the fact that our king is Lord of everything. It should equally be founded on the words of Jesus found in Matthew chapter 5. In his famous sermon, Jesus says to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world". This is not a call. This is not a command. This is a fact. As Christians, we are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. The question then, is how do we prove ourselves to be flavorful salt and not useless salt, bright lamps and not hidden lamps?

The answer is rooted in our understanding and accepting the fact that Jesus is our ultimate lord. Once we really lay hold of this fact, we are ready to work out our being salt and light on two fronts. We must prayerfully decide within ourselves which political choices are the best choices, and we must be careful how we engage others in the political arena, both candidates and other voters. On both fronts Christians must be meek, poor in spirit and pure in heart.


As Christians we must be vigilant to keep Jesus as king in every area of our lives, every moment of our lives. This is easier said than done. While we can claim to have Jesus as our ultimate king, whether or not this claim is true will be evidenced in our actions in, and reactions to political developments. Our words "in the moment" will prove who our real king is. We must always seek to be humble and gentle towards those around us. We must encourage others towards a healthier society without demanding that non-Christians behave in Christian ways.

Some, forgetting that as Christians they ultimately belong to a kingdom not of this world, jump full-force into the political fray, endeavoring to kill ungodly agendas and topple ungodly officials. A disturbing tendency thrives in "Christian" politics today. On "Christian" radio shows, in "Christian" publications the idea of a "Christian nation" is popular. Christians are called on by "Christian" media to make sure America remains a "Christian nation". The notion, however, that any nation in this world could be a "Christian nation" is a fallacy based in a failure to realize that the only Christian nation is the Kingdom of Heaven, a kingdom which is not of this world.

Others, in reaction to the "extremism" they see in "Christian" politics try to keep out of politics completely. They cite the apolitical example of Jesus' life as justification for their lack of involvement. The problem with this attitude is that it refuses many opportunities to be salt and light.

 Both ends of this spectrum are ultimately too easy. It is easy to get caught up in the momentum of political "activism". It is easy to withdraw completely. It is much harder to consciously and carefully affect politics while making it clear that one's hope is not ultimately in politics.

Scripture says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God," (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV). The Christian is not someone who retreats from the world, but someone who redeems the world. We are not to shrink from earthly affairs. We are to "season" them with the wisdom of Christ. If you are a politician, it is not inherently more Christian of you to give up politics. Rather, use your position as a politician to do your best to influence government towards a godly direction. If you are a citizen, do not throw away your vote, thinking that you are therefore more Christian in so doing. On the contrary, use your vote to influence your culture towards a healthier (maybe even godlier) point.

Christians must keep in mind, though, that we will never "redeem" our culture or our government in any ultimate sense, nor should that be our aim. That task remains for Jesus alone to accomplish himself at the end of time. As Americans, we have certain privileges, given to us by our government; privileges such as the ability to vote and the ability to speak freely. We should use these government-given privileges to influence our society for the benefit of all. We should not, however, lose focus and seek to use government as a means to force non-Christians to act as Christians. When we cross this line and our goal becomes the constructing of a "Christian society", we lose our "flavor" and switch our heavenly king for an earthly one.

Perhaps the dumbest reason given to justify voting a certain way is that one always votes that way. Perhaps the most dangerous reason given to justify voting a certain way is that one wishes to create a better society. As Christians, we must carefully, prayerfully consider the choices we make, and when things do not go as we wish, we must remember that our hope is not in this world. As Christians, we must carefully, prayerfully consider which causes to take up and which to leave alone, and if those causes should fail, we must remember that our hope is not in this world.

The murky world of politics provides Christians with a unique opportunity to prove we are not "of the world", while yet remaining "in the world". It provides us with an opportunity to show where our real hope lies. Amidst the confusion of politics, we can be a "polis on a hill".