Politics: everyone’s favorite topic. Sadly, that sarcastic statement might be true for a lot of people. We are consumed with politics. It shows through 24-hour news popularity, the top podcasts people listen to, and social media rants. Now, I am not suggesting that politics is not important. I think it is very important, but it is not the most important. There are two ditches we can fall into—not caring at all about something important, or caring too much about something that isn’t that important. How are Christians to think about and interact with politics?

At our September Discipleship Night, we discussed this as a church, looking at Andy Naselli’s taxonomy for political theology. You can also listen to Andy and other theologians discuss this on a podcast. 

That night I listed seven principles our elders established after much discussion around the issue of the church and politics. I said I would put these principles out for you in an article, so here we go. We believe these principles will guide us and can be something we all rally around, and I hope they are helpful. 

1. The kingdom of God is wholly separate from any earthly kingdom and political structure. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that “our citizenship is in heaven”. And the writer of Hebrews tells us that believers receive a “kingdom that cannot be shaken,” unlike all earthly kingdoms that can and will be.
2. The kingdom of God, and the return of Christ, is not dependent on any earthly kingdom or political structure. Acts 17:24-26 tells us, “God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and boundaries of their dwelling place”. Psalm 50:12 says, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” And Psalm 115:3 explains, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” God is in control of all human history, working out his plans exactly as he wants them and exactly to his timing, and these plans will culminate at the return of Christ and God establishing his kingdom on earth.
3. The church of Jesus Christ must stay separate and distinct from any earthly kingdom or political structure. This is not saying that Christians should have no involvement in civil society, but rather advocating for the importance of the church to maintain its distinct identity, mission, and structure. Jesus promises to build his church (Matthew 16:18). He gives orders to his church to make disciples in Matthew 28:19. And God expresses his desired structure for his church in Titus 1:5. 1 Peter 2:9-12 talks to us about how Christians are a called-out group of people to live as sojourners and exiles here on earth while maintaining honorable conduct with those around us. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors for Christ, carrying the message of reconciliation to God through Christ, and this must not be compromised. This does not say that a government can’t be Christian in its identity and function, but rather the distinction between the government and the church should be maintained. God has ordained both the government and the church, but the government is not the church and the church is not the government.
4. The church of Jesus Christ, stewarding the wisdom of God, serves as a conscience to all earthly kingdoms and political structures through proclaiming the word of God to the world. Jesus calls his disciples salt and light for the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Paul tells us that the church is the “pillar and buttress of the truth” in 1 Timothy 3:15. Ephesians 5:11 instructs us to take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. And we see John the Baptist confront Herod in his sin (Mark 6:17-20).
5. Christians should embrace the privilege to vote and be active, biblically guided voters, without placing their hope in government. The clearer part of this is to not put our hope in government. Psalm 146:3 says, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord.” When it comes to voting, the Bible clearly doesn’t address this directly, but Jeremiah 29:7 tells God’s exiled people—as we are referred to in 1 Peter 2:9-12—to seek the welfare of the city he’s sent them to. Part of loving God and loving our neighbor is advocating for a society that best honors God, which is best for people.
6. God is sovereign over all governments and political structures. Sometimes for our good, and sometimes in our judgment. Jesus told Pilate that his authority was given to him from above in John 19:10-11. In Daniel 2:20-21, we are told that God removes kings and sets up kings. God makes it clear through his prophets, particularly Jeremiah and Habakkuk, that the Babylonians were raised up by God as judgment against his people’s disobedience.
7. Christians believe that God’s ways are what is best for the flourishing of human beings, and therefore should work to see greater expressions of God’s ways lived out in society, celebrating not only the increase of disciples on earth, but also the increase of disciples in leadership capacities within society promoting those ways of God (in light of the other principles). Psalm 18:30 tells us that God’s ways are perfect. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” We believe God’s ways are best, and we are to be salt and light for our world, as Matthew 5:13-16 instructs us. We are to seek the welfare of our city/country (Jeremiah 29:7). We are to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the needy (Proverbs 31:8-9). As we have opportunity, we are to do good to everyone (Galatians 6:10). This principle is not stating that Christians must serve in government, but rather, as more disciples are made, a logical conclusion is to see more disciples in government roles, and as those disciples advocate for the ways of God, which believers see as what’s best, then that is a good thing for the flourishing of society and loving our neighbor.

Basically, these principles say that Christ is king. His kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. His church belongs to that kingdom and has a distinct mission for that kingdom. A part of that mission is to proclaim God’s truth to the world, including governing authorities. And while we live here as sojourners and exiles, we are to be salt and light, and seek the welfare of where God has us until Christ returns to establish his kingdom in his timing and in his power.  

Now, as we live faithfully in this world, eagerly awaiting our Lord’s return, it is a good desire to seek the welfare of our country. And we are blessed to have a political system that allows us a voice. May we use it boldly for our king. But may we never treat God as only a means to a restored country, as if we desired that more than him. God is the prize, and we are about his glory, and God will be glorified in the raising up and tearing down of kingdoms until he brings his everlasting kingdom. As that unfolds, we are called to be faithful through any of it and all of it, understanding that persecution often offers the best context for ministry. So yes, we live in a fallen world now, and our culture has grown more and more secular, but may we never start looking at the people around us like the enemy, forgetting they are the mission field.