I’ve always been fascinated by the study of history, politics, and presidents. Like many young boys do, I dreamed of becoming a statesman one day.
A couple years ago, I had the unique opportunity to campaign in the Republican Primary.
While campaigning door to door, I witnessed firsthand the need for to Christians vote with a Biblical understanding of politics and political issues. I also discovered our nation’s need for Biblically qualified candidates.
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
Today, in Christian circles, much controversy lingers over the role of Christians in politics. Some believe that Christians should not involve themselves in politics because “the political world is openly antagonistic to Christian principles, and is riddled with humanistic thinking.”
On the reverse side of the spectrum, others believe that “Christians should be able to contribute more positively than any one else to the political process.”
In the midst of this contention over the question of Christians in politics, we must return to the Bible as the final authority. Biblically speaking, should a Christian be involved in politics?
Here are three reasons from scripture.
1. God Created Government
First, Christians should be involved in politics because God created government. Some believe that government is Satan’s realm, basing this belief on Luke 4:6, a verse in which Satan tells Christ that governmental power is his to give.
In contrast to this belief, the Bible teaches that God instituted government. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Further, Romans 13:2 states that those who resist God’s ordained power resist God’s ordinance and will be punished. Because God ordained the power and function of civil government, civil governments simply constitute an extension of His authority.
In his book, Politics According to the Bible, Grudem notes that in addition to Romans 13, Genesis 9 speaks of the concept of God ordained government as a necessary means to carry out justice, specifically capital punishment.
The denotation of civil servants as “ministers of God” in Romans 13:4 reaffirms the function of government as God’s institution and supports the idea of Christians in politics. This verse calls government officials “God’s ministers” because they are to carry out God’s purpose of justice in God’s institution of government.
2. God Requires Government Officials to Administer Justice
Second, Christians should be involved in politics, not only because God created government, but also because God requires government officials to administer justice.
Romans 13:4 states that government officials are to “execute wrath” upon evildoers. I Peter 2:14 points out that God sends government officials for “the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
In addition to the New Testament, the Old Testament affirms the administration of justice as the purpose of civil government. Genesis 9:6 commands, “Whosoever sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.”
Not only does this verse describe the idea of capital punishment; it also points to the role of government in carrying out that punishment.
Commenting on this foundational passage, Tom Hicks posits, “The Hebrew verb ‘shall be shed’ should be read in the jussive mood, a third person command, which is prescriptive of what should happen, not merely descriptive of what does happen.”
Fulfilling this necessary command of capital punishment requires the authority of civil government and carries out the purpose of government in punishing evil and rewarding good.
In addition to Genesis 9, Proverbs 29:4 describes the role of government officials in administering justice, stating, “The king by judgment establisheth the land.” Also, Amos 5:24 describes God’s requirement for righteousness in all of human behavior, stating, “But let justice run down like waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”
3. God Charges Civil Rulers to Fear Him
Last, not only should Christians be involved in politics because government is God’s institution and government officials are to administer justice; Christians should be involved in politics because God charges civil rulers to fear Him.
2 Samuel 23:3 states, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” God desires civil leaders to fear Him, knowing that societies will function best when they do so.
In addition, Exodus 18:21, a verse in which Jethro gives Moses instructions for choosing leaders, notes that one qualification for good civil leaders is to “fear God,” in addition to being capable, truthful, and hateful of covetousness. Describing the blessings brought about by God-fearing leaders, Proverbs 29:2 affirms, “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.”
While the above passages describe God’s requirement for civil leaders to fear God, they also raise an important question: “How can we expect to have leaders who fear God if Christians refuse to vote or run for public office?”
As God greatly used righteous individuals like Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther, and Mordecai in the midst of corrupt civil governments, so too He can use Christians today. Those who fear God are best prepared to be civil rulers.
In review, Christians should be involved in politics for three reasons. First, God created government. Second, God requires government officials to administer justice. Last, God charges civil leaders to fear Him.
How Should We Then Vote?
Although America has its problems, God has still blessed us with freedoms not shared by much of the world. If you live in America, you have something the rest of the world would give anything to have.
John Jay, the first Supreme Court Justice of the United States once said, “Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Will you steward this sacred God-given responsibility?
On November 6, you possess incredible opportunity to bring Biblical values to bear at the voting booth. Before voting, consider that God will hold you accountable for how you cast your ballot. Therefore, first understand the purpose of government and government officials, and then vote according to your conscience.
As we trust in God who sovereignly reigns over all, may we demonstrate that trust be involving ourselves in His institution of government and seeking the administration of justice, and the proliferation of statesmen who fear Him.
QUESTION: How practically can Christians shine God’s light and proclaim God’s truth in politics the political arena?
Recommended Reading
Politics According to The Bible by Wayne Grudem
10 Comments
Chad · November 9, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Josh,
Have you ever read the book “An Anabaptist vision” by Harold S Bender? If so, what did you think about the Anabaptist views presented in it?
Becka · November 2, 2018 at 11:12 pm
An excellent resource on a Christian’s roll in government is David Bercot’s book “The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down”. A must read for anyone who is interested in history, doctrine, and politics.
Joshua Bontrager · November 3, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Becka,
Thanks for the suggestion! Sounds like a highly fascinating book!
Allison · November 1, 2018 at 11:35 am
Great post, Josh. So true- it’s our responsibility as citizens and Christians to vote!
Chad · November 1, 2018 at 10:48 am
When Jesus returns to earth He will set up an earthly Kingdom, an earthly reign, and a perfect government. If we could achieve a perfect government prior to this then there would be no need for Him to return to set one up. The biggest obstacle to a perfect government is the enemy and his deception of the nations. For Jesus to achieve His perfect government, the first thing He does is throw satan in the abyss, slams the door, and locks it shut. If this is the first step of Jesus setting up a perfect government, what makes us the think that we can achieve a perfect government without this step taking place. The most important thing to a perfect government is God in flesh Himself running it. God is the Head!. Unfortunately, when we set up this nation we did not declare it as part of our government and constitution that God is the Head of our government. We did not mandate that our nation was a Christian nation run strictly by God’s ways only. We missed the first step, we can’t expect it to go perfect or even succeed after that. Can we? In His Kingdom of a thousand years, True Saints will reign and rule and act as judges with Him. True Resurrected Saints will reign. Saints that came back from the dead! Saints will reign that died for “Their God” not “their country”. This is important, is shows hands down what is first place. Today I see it in reverse. I am really seeing a country first mentality. I feel like today that Governmental rulers should not be using the Bible to support their chosen political ideology, instead they should use their Biblical ideology to form their political ideology. The Bible is not a weapon to use as leverage to support your predetermined political views and agenda. The Bible should be the original source of all your political views. I think they are doing this in reverse. The starting point is their political view then they use the Bible to try to support it. The starting point should be their biblical view, then their political view should just flow out of that. But most times political and party agendas are not even biblical agendas. With the perspective of the thousand year reign, the country’s founding, and the current political atmosphere, I just can’t imagine success coming from it and I think it’s a big reason Jesus has to come back. Just my thoughts.
Alexis · October 30, 2018 at 6:03 pm
I grew up being taught the doctrine of non-resistance. To kill someone would mean either sending them to hell or killing a brother in Christ. Jesus Himself said that His kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) It is not an earthly kingdom ruled by God, but a heavenly kingdom. Jesus never was involved in politics or encouraged his servants to take up the sword. He preached love and sacrifice and turning the other cheek. Is it actually possible to love our neighbors and to take their life at the same time? Paul also said in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4, ” For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
greta · October 30, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Nice explanation.
Chad · October 30, 2018 at 3:12 pm
The type of government that I think that I believe is the biblical theocracy of the ancient Israelites. I believe that God wanted to be our king, our ruler, our governor, and our sole government. It seems clear to me in 1 Samuel 8 that God did not want us to choose an earthly ruler, a National ruler for ourselves. He made it clear by choosing an earthly ruler for ourselves instead of wanting Him to be our sole ruler that we were actually rejecting and forsaking Him (vs 7 & 8). God warned us not to go the direction or the route of earthly rulers (vs 9). Then in verses 10-18, Samuel speaks the words of the Lord warning us and detailing what the future outcome for making this choice would be. The predictions of what this choice would be upon ourselves sounds a lot like the corruptness of government today. Don’t take my word for it, read the passages aloud to yourselves, it will shock you. It even says in verse 18 when it gets bad, because it will (the Lord spoke it), that when this happens that we will cry out to Him for help. But the Lord says, in that day He will not answer us. This was His very direct warning. Nevertheless in verse 19, it says the people were disobedient and they said no to God and demanded a national ruler just like all the others nations had. As a result, God says, so be it, have it your way (vs 22). Per this passage of scripture, it set things into motion, and just by God declaring this to be so, God ordaining it, God decreeing it and God pronouncing it does not mean that it was going to turn out good for us or that it was what God actually desired. So I do not think that God wanted His people to have national rulers. This is just another perspective.
Ann · October 30, 2018 at 6:43 am
I can’t comment too much with respect to the American political system, I don’t have an in-depth knowledge of it. Where I live, a politician who had the courage to bear witness to his or her faith publically would have to be in a very, VERY safe seat or risk losing at the next election. From that perspective, it can be difficult to witness God’s truth politically unless you’re somewhere which is a bit more accepting of people who have a strong faith and live by those principles.
Honesty and resolve would be two of the big things a Christian politician could bring to the arena, honesty in their dealings and resolve in following a Christian path. Perhaps with sufficient people of principle influencing our societies, we could reach a point where everyone is treated equally under the law – instead of race, gender or money dictating matters.
I will admit, I have never been able to reconcile the death penalty with my faith. I have been unable to move far beyond Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill, I am also aware that all too often the death penalty is sought with revenge in the hearts of those who seek it. There is a clear instruction about revenge in Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. I very much respect that other Christians view this differently though.
Joshua Bontrager · October 30, 2018 at 7:43 am
Ann,
Thanks for your perspective! Sadly, most Americans are more concerned about voting their pocketbooks than voting Biblical values. Just like the Jews, we’d pick Barrabas over Christ.
Here are a few thoughts on capital punishment:
(1) The Hebrew word “kill” in the King James means to murder.
(2) The OT distinguishes between “murder” and capital punishment. It is wrong to murder, but murderers are commanded to be “put to death,” which would be a different thing than murder.
(3) A few verses after Romans 12:19, God points out that while individuals cannot take vengeance, government is a “revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4). God states that vengeance is His (Romans 12:19), and then a few verses later he delegates vengeance on earth to government. Reading straight from Romans 12 through Romans 13 (which is how Paul’s original audience would have read it) should make this relationship clearer.
It is wrong for an individual to hunt down and kill a murderer, but it is right for a government to impose capital punishment.