Should The Church Be Involved in Politics?

Let the church live for the glory of God and our neighbor’s good in politics and all of life. - Clint Decker

“I would urge them to avoid politics altogether,” one church leader stated about how he would advise other pastors. “Our focus is Jesus and the gospel,” an evangelist strongly emphasized, encouraging separation from politics. The public seems to agree with these sentiments. A Pew Research survey found that 66% of Americans want the church to stay out of political matters, and it made no distinction between progressive or liberal churches and conservative ones. (Image from Ministry Pass)

The church-and-politics issue divides Christians and church leaders. Heated, passionate opinions get thrown around, with each side using Bible verses and religious missional phrases to make their points.

Words are important, so what does “politics” mean? According to one etymology study, politic as an adjective pertains to the “public affairs, concerning the governance of a country or people…” Using this definition, let us ask a question. Should the church have any involvement with the public affairs or governance of their nation? This covers voting, running for public office, being an elected official, being employed in political positions, drafting legislation, speaking out on various political laws and policies, and the list goes on, covering numerous categories under the canopy of politics.

What is the answer? An emphatic YES. Here are four reasons why the church should be involved in politics.

1. The duty of preaching the Word. If a pastor obeys 2 Timothy 4:2, which says to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching”, they will automatically be political. How so? Because God states moral commands and declares absolute truths, which in turn speak not only to people’s behavior and beliefs, but to the larger community and even the laws of the land. For every law has a moral element to it, and the only way a church can get around not being political is if they sidestep the Bible’s moral commands, skirt its absolute truths, avoid preaching God’s Word altogether, or engage in biblical revisionism.

2. It is God’s government. Just as God created the family and church, He also created government. Romans 13:1 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Since government came from God, it cannot operate as He intended without Christian influence. Therefore, why would God not want His followers affecting government?

3. Biblical examples. When one looks at the Bible, from beginning to end, you see God constantly moving His people into politics. They brought God’s moral conscience to the nation. Queen Esther used her position to politically influence the king to spare the Jewish people from certain annihilation. The Scriptures say of her, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Jesus, our supreme example, in Matthew 23, publicly confronted Israel’s political leaders over their ungodly teachings, beliefs, and practices that were influencing the nation. Time does not allow me to discuss Joseph, Moses, King David, Nehemiah, Daniel, the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Apostles.

4. Loving our neighbor. Does not the Great Commandment give us reason to engage in politics? By godly people choosing to serve in elected office and wise Christians advocating for just laws and a just government, would not that be a blessing to our neighbor?

Like any other area of life (career, family, Christian ministry) there are clear dangers when we lose our Christian way. We must guard against politics becoming our focus, rather than Jesus. We must resist politics being the main mission, rather than the Great Commission. We must defend against the political temptation toward a lust for political power.

Let us heed Jesus’ words and live in the world, while not being of the world. Let the church live for the glory of God and our neighbor’s good in politics and all of life. May we stand for truth, be discerning, humble, and walk in godly integrity before a watching world.

A prayer for you - Lord God, you have created government, and as you have used men and women in the Scriptures to influence government and culture for your glory, use me, I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.