Christianity Ain’t Political, Or Is It?
Some great Christian somewhere once said, “The only way to change society is personal salvation; political involvement is a waste of time.” It wasn’t me, but I wish it was.
Most Christians would agree with that statement… and it’s easy to understand why. It’s hard not to agree when modern politics has become so divisive, distracting, and downright cruel. Watching the political squabbling the media offers is almost insufferable. If that is how politics works, maybe it’s best to avoid political involvement altogether. At first glance, Christianity and politics don’t seem like likely happy roommates. However, a closer look at Christ’s kingdom and the “law of love” reveals that believers can participate… in a mindfully peaceful way… within the political realm for God’s glory.
In Colossians 1:15-18, Paul writes, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything.” In this passage, Paul provides a glorious narrative about the risen Christ reigning over all of creation as both Champion and Lord. God’s kingdom encompasses all things both visible and invisible.
This means our world and all its inhabitants are dwell under Christ’s reign… they exist within His realm and domain. Psalm 24:1 clearly states this, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.”
Although some people (non-believers) may not submit to Christ’s lordship, they cannot escape H is omniscient kingdom. Christ’s ever-presence and eternal purpose to reconcile everyone and everything to Himself, both in heaven and on earth, ensures that nothing in our world… no soul, no society, no area of human existence…. exists outside of His realm and notice. All belongs to Jesus and every part can glorify him… even our political choices.
Although the U.S. Constitution separates church and state, politics is relevant to Christian thought and action because Christ’s kingdom is without boundaries. Importantly, when we believers view the world as divided into secular and sacred realms, i.e., God belongs in the “sacred” areas but not the “secular” areas such as politics, they unknowingly try to limit His kingdom. They attempt to put boundaries around God’s civil actions and say, “Stay within these boundaries; we put You there to keep You sacred.” The problem is Christianity cannot be jammed into only those areas where we believers feel comfortable. God is the ruler of all things, not just the parts we consider religious, spiritual, or Christian. The truth is Christ’s kingdom values are needed most in places that reject or resist scriptural teachings… including maybe within our local city halls and voting booths.
Politics is also relevant to Christianity; it challenges us to love our neighbors, whether they be believers or unbelievers or foreigners from abroad or fellow citizens. For evil or good, politics reigns the power to influence our neighborhoods by influencing living conditions and values. Therefore, Christians should rightfully… while working peacefully within the political system… concern themselves with the policies, ideas, laws, and regulations that impact others. Living a disinterested life while races and individuals are unjustly oppressed, disregarded, persecuted, and aborted isn’t Christ-like. “Sins of omission” come about when we passively ignore what God commands us to do. Willing, peaceful, political involvement enables Christians to observed the “law of love” while participating in public policy that reflects a Christian worldview. When Christians participate, not only do all citizens benefit, but our Lord God is obeyed and honored in a Christ-like way.
JG