The Gospel and Politics

As we near the end of one of the most difficult and divisive elections our country has faced since the civil war, I want to make a few Biblical observations that I believe shape our worldview and political conversations as followers of Jesus Christ.

1. The government of the world rests squarely on the shoulders of Jesus Christ. (Is 9:6,Mt 28:18). No matter who is in a position of authority at any level, Jesus Christ rules the world and His purposes will prevail (Prov. 19:21). Therefore we can trust in Him and not be afraid (John 16: 33).
2. We have a duty to be engaged in our political process (Rom. 13:1-7; I Peter 2: 13). In our context, I believe that means exercising our right to vote and being informed about issues.
3. Committed, orthodox, fully devoted followers of Christ have always disagreed about certain non-creedal matters of faith and life. This doesn’t mean we won’t be accountable for the positions we take. It just means we have to live in the tension of disagreeing and learn to respect and honor each other in the process.
4. Healthy political debate is a great value in our democratic nation. However we must be careful not to slide into personal attacks against one another. Eph. 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word come from your lips” (Greek translation may also include social media posts ). We are to be gracious in our disagreements.
5. Questioning one’s spiritual standing based on political views is not only acting in the place of God but forbidden in scripture. (See Mt 7:1-5). In our political passion we must resist the temptation to play God and judge one another. (Rom 14:4.)
6. As Christians we are called to speak and write about our political convictions with as much factual evidence as possible (Eph 4:15). In a twitter and snapchat world, there can be manipulation of facts on all sides of a political campaign. We have a responsibility to do our homework before articulating our positions or the positions of others.
7. Finally, followers of Christ are Christians first, citizens of a Kingdom that lasts forever, and ambassadors for Christ to a world that is lost and in desperate need of grace. What we say and do and how we say it and do it matters. Do not forget the gospel in your passion for political victory. Pray early and often and give thanks in all circumstances.

I’ll close with a quote from one Christian reporter on the election beat who said. “My experience on the campaign trail showed me afresh that a broken world deeply hungers for the kind of fidelity and fellowship only a vibrant church can provide” (Jamie Dean). May the Lord lead us as we seek to follow Him and live out our faith in the public arena.