Politics in a Pathetic World

“You’re into politics? Who cares about all that stuff anyways?”

“Yeah, don’t get her started. She’s a political nut.”

“Christianity doesn’t belong in politics – remember “separation of church and state?”

The number of times I have heard these statements are too numerous to count. At times, I wish I could give the individual a lecture about how important politics is to every single aspect of our lives in addition to guilt tripping them about when the last time was they voted in a local election. Other times, I wonder if maybe they have a point. Should I be such a “political nut,” especially as a Christian? Are there other things I should be more focused on in life, such as spreading the Gospel or discipling other Christians?

It's a valid question, and if you’re reading this article, chances are you or someone you know may have wrestled with a similar thought. In a realm where corruption, deceit, and bribery seem to reign supreme, it is understandable why Christians want to shy away from politics in disgust. After all, the Bible commands Christians to live in such a way that they are not “conformed to the image of the world” and one can’t get much more worldly than politics – or so they say.

I once read an incredible article on politics and the Christian faith. The author’s overarching thesis was simple: politics are a necessary part of the kingdom of God but political victories are not the end goal of His kingdom. Something so simple to say yet hard to implement, practically living this out in the United States seems like a momentous task. Thankfully, as with all other matters in life, God’s Word contains the answers to this problem: we just have to be willing to look.

Yes, politics can be disgusting. It’s dirty, often ungratifying work. However, did our Savior turn His back on those with leprosy, the very outcasts of society, the woman with a blood disorder, or even the thief on the cross, one of the dirtiest of criminals? Jesus was fully human and fully God: I would think it’s very possible that His human nature might have felt some disgust when interacting with these people, just as we humans are prone to be. Yet He chose to enter in, make them whole, and encourage them to walk with Him.

There are countless Bible passages throughout Scripture which outline the duties of government, the duties of a citizen, and the outcomes of good and bad government. However, one verse particularly relevant to this discussion of whether Christians should be involved in politics is Proverbs 29:2 which says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” If Christians are sitting on the political sidelines, is it any wonder that we shake our heads and complain about how disappointed we are with our leaders?

The political realm needs more Christians who are willing to face their inner disgust head on and make politics whole again. Politics is not inherently evil; rather, it is simply reflecting the hearts of the individuals who are engaging in it, many of whom are lost souls in need of a Savior. Let’s face it, Christian - it’s because the church has stepped out of politics and remained silent that we are currently in the predicament we’re in. We can’t expect an institution to reflect Christ if His image bearers are not willing to engage in that institution. Therefore, it is both biblical and necessary for Christians to engage in politics in the spirit of truth while leading with love, or as John Adams once said, “Duty is ours. Results are God’s.”