Tag Archives: Christians and Politics

Would Jesus Choose Unity or Polarization

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Christians and Politics The example of Jesus

To ask, would Jesus choose unity or polarization may seem at first blush an easy question because it’s clear that the Bible does teach believers to be set apart from the world. But to engage in the sort of political fighting we are witnessing is not reconcilable with the Jesus of the Bible. In the present political environment, we have a very difficult question: shall we unify or polarize?

Every four years, The United States voting population divides itself into two roughly equal camps. Over the past nine elections, the average vote margin between the winner and the second-place candidate is 4.71%. You would have to go back to Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 to find a third-party candidate that won. For over 100 years, we have been a two-party nation. That naturally gives rise to a certain amount of division. However, quadrennial division need not lead to the deep polarization we are witnessing.

To gain votes, political candidates today routinely lie or spin their qualifications. It is not uncommon to see political candidates calling their opponents vile names and making horrible accusations about them, usually with no supporting evidence. These habits of name-calling and dissembling make their way from the highest levels of leadership in our country into the media and into the average man on the street. This is polarization based on tribalism and not on policy. It does not challenge policies but people. It denigrates people.

What would Jesus say about such hate-mongering? Would he endorse hateful speech in his followers?

Jesus said, “God is love”  (1 John 4:8). “Love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:39).

Sadly, political division does occur within the body of Christ despite the fact that Paul rebuked such division:

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him” (Titus 3:9, 10)

As we have previously said, Christians can and should exercise their right to vote and their right to petition the government for redress. Our faith should inform and control our political decisions. Our chosen candidate ought to be judged by their adherence to Biblical principles. But we have no right to demean brethren who are opposed to our chosen candidate. There is no room for division in the church.

You probably have no interest in who the next president of Turkmenistan may be. I know I don’t. Likewise, my interest is first and foremost in the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we are first and foremost His subjects, and His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Therefore, anything that harms or does a disservice to His kingdom must be rejected.

The growth of the church has never been tied to the secular government. Indeed, her most rapid growth was during Roman oppression. However, each time the church has blended with the secular government it has suffered. So we should avoid entanglements that make it appear that the church is aligned with any political party. Churches that invite political candidates and issue statements of support on behalf of the church do so foolishly.

Jesus cares most about only one polarization: That between the sheep and goats at the end of time. Let’s follow his lead.

Salt & Light in Politics

Administrative, Government, Politics,
Christians and Politics The example of Jesus

We must never divide brethren over politics. Yet, Christians are to be both Salt and Light in politics and in every other corner of life. How can we be godly people and exercise Jesus’ desire that we be salt and light in politics? Is it possible to be godly and political at the same time?

The Nature of Salt and Light

Jesus uses salt and light to describe his followers (Matthew 5:13-16). The physical properties of salt are often, namely, that salt is a preservative and a flavor enhancer. When applied to our culture it both preserves it against decay (think salt pork) and improves the culture itself (think salt on fries).

God has Moses write of the “salt of the covenant,” which must not be absent from grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13). And, in Isaiah 42:6, God says, “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.” Both give us a strong link far beyond the mere physical qualities of salt and light.

While salt does preserve food , it was also an important part of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Jesus was speaking to Jews who would understand that linkage. They were God’s people.

In that role, they had a task. They were, in this new covenant to be a light “to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). While does prevent us from falling over the dog at 3 AM, it is used here to underscore their role as examples and teachers of God’s covenantal work in Christ.

Salt speaks to the covenant; light speaks to the task done by those in the covenant.[1]

The Nature of Politics

Political processes vary from nation to nation and from time to time. In Jesus’ day citizens had little or no influence on government. The average Jew was ruled over by King Herod and his sons, the Sanhedrin, and the Roman Senate and Emperor. For the common man, there was no voting, no public campaigning, and no election.[2]

Because Jesus and His first followers were Jews and, therefore, citizens of a conquered nation, they had no power in the political process. There were still quasi-political movements like the Zealots but there was no truly organized political process that Jesus and His disciples could use. This could be the reason there is so little said about politics generally in the New Testament.

Despite the inability to participate, there was still the command “to be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). When the election does not end as we prefer, we still are responsible to respect those in authority.

Salt and Light in Politics Today

But just because Jesus did not vote in a primary or general election does not mean there are no guidelines for his followers today. A future article will point to those guidelines that are terribly needed in our nation today.

[1] Smothers, C. J. (2024). Salt And Light: A Canonical Reading Of Matthew 5:13–16 And Isaiah 42:6 . Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society, 239-250.

[2] There was voting as early as 139 BC in Athens, Greece but it was limited to free, male citizens only.

The Example of Christ

Church Bulletin, Jesus, Politics, , ,
Christians and Politics The example of Jesus

We have been exploring the link between Christians and Politics. So far, we have quoted from various secular sources, including media sources, political pundits, and social researchers. We have also looked at the disastrous history of blended church-state models. All of this is important and helps frame our discussion about the present turmoil we face. Now, we turn to the King of Kings for His view of Christians and government. He is our Lord and Teacher (John 13:14). Therefore, we listen, learn, and apply his teachings.

 Given the politicized condition of some churches and church members, a non-Christian might be surprised at how few times Jesus or his apostles spoke of government. When they did, it was often in an indirect way. For example, Jesus told his followers to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13, 14). Surely, our salting would include interactions with the state and, when possible, politicians

There are a few direct statements made about government.

“render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25)

“Render” suggests the idea of an obligation that is repaid. Followers of Christ have obligations to both the state (Caeser) and to God. There is a distinction between the two. We know from the apostle’s clash with the Sanhedrin that one obligation exceeds the other; namely, our commitment to God is superior. Jesus said, “Seek first” the kingdom (Matthew 6:33), while his apostles, Peter and John, said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

If Jesus were physically here today, he would not engage in the trash talk that marks the public voice of many religious leaders.

On point with the present deterioration of public speech and discourse is Paul’s statement, taken from Exodus 22:28, that we “shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people” (Acts 23:5). The apostle himself had just rebuked the High Priest. When he realized what he had done, he quickly corrected himself.[1]That is Christian guidance not often heard today. It is also complementary to Paul’s exhortation to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1, 2). Perhaps we have forgotten?

When arrested, our Lord did not revile his captors, nor Herod, nor Pilate. Isaiah foretold his peaceful example that he would not open his mouth when beaten (Isaiah 53:7).

If Jesus were physically here today, he would not engage in the trash talk that marks the public voice of many religious leaders.

The Bible teaches me to imitate Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:21, etc.). So how, then, should we conduct ourselves today?

[1] Jesus once called Herod a “fox,” a derogatory term for someone who is sneaky or sly. Jesus spoke from his divinity in truth, not in rage, anger, or vengeance. See Luke 13:32

A Brief Survey of Blended Church and State

Church Bulletin, Culture, Government, Politics, , , ,
Christians and Politics

A brief history of blended church and state shows that such mixing is always bad for both. Before we go further let me be clear that good government must be based upon sound biblical principles. But the church should never exist in service to the state. Likewise, It is fruitless and harmful for the government to compel Christian conduct. Nevertheless, our interest here is to survey the harm done to the church when it blends with secular government.

Blended Church and State in the Bible and in History

Our first example occurred over 3000 years ago. Judges ruled the Israelites of the Old Testament when needed. After many years, the people demanded a king like the other nations around them. Through the prophet Samuel, God warned the people that a king would prove bad for the nation. God warned them that a king would militarize and enslave segments of the Kingdom. God told Samuel, “they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). The people sought national glory and honor over their relationship with the Creator. A careful review of biblical history will show that the kings of Israel consistently led the people astray.

1000 years later, during the time of Christ, the Roman Empire ruled the world. To increase their glory and to enhance their authority, these emperors allowed and sometimes commanded people to worship them as gods. The cult of worship would find its fullness in Constantine who blended church and state into the so-called Holy Roman Empire.

About 300 years after the establishment of the Lord’s church, the nascent Roman Catholic church began. Historian Diane Bowder (The Age of Constantine and Julian, 1987) observes that Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which protected all faiths from persecution and returned confiscated church property. No other Roman ruler had gone so far. He soon moved to enforce Christian doctrine in the name of unity and social stability. He served as the judge over religious disputes.

Blended Church and State Today

Today, papal authority reigns over millions of Roman Catholic adherents. The Pope is a Head of State and is headquartered in Vatican City, a sovereign state. Among the embarrassments of this blended church-state creation was the papal silence in the face of Nazi atrocities in WWII.

A first cousin to the Roman Catholics, the Russian Orthodox Church is a highly influential force, albeit a silent one, on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The nicknamed, “Russian Orthodox Army” was one of the first units deployed in the invasion of Ukraine.

The non-Christian world has problems too. Islam has a lengthy history of mixing faith and government. In the present day, Iran is a spectacular example of such a combination. Trying to force submission to Islam is a hallmark of Iran and its many puppet regimes. Strong influence from Hindu worshippers in India directly affects governmental operations, including turning a blind eye to the oppression of religious minorities, although some improvements have been noted in recent years.

The point of all this is to see the intolerable compromises required when church and state mix. Let the church challenge and influence the Empire from the outside where we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12), not from the inside. Why? Because our kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). As a good soldier of Christ, remember,” No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4). Be the salt, not the fries!

I Pledge Allegiance to What?

Church, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, Government, Politics,
Christians and Politics

I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance from my earliest days. We said it at sporting events, in Aunt Ogla’s Kindergarten class, and in just about every public assembly. In Boy Scouts, we placed great emphasis on the care, honor, and presentation of the American flag because it was the best-known symbol of our country.

But we never said the pledge or presented the colors in our worship assembly.

There is a Difference

As a child, I didn’t understand. If you could stop all activity at a football game (and that’s some undertaking in Alabama), stand, place your hand over your heart, sing the national anthem, and say the pledge, why not in worship? Adults understood the division between the nation and the church, between the secular and the holy, and between the common and the divine.

Some have forgotten that distinction.

The church of my Lord does not belong to the United States, nor is it subservient to it in any way. When Jesus was asked about paying taxes his response was simple: “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We have obligations both to the government and to God. Paul, by inspiration, commanded obedience to the government (Romans 13:1 – 7). In his life, Paul acknowledged the government’s authority while benefiting from its laws (Acts 25:11).

The Roman Empire was the ultimate secular authority in Jesus’ and Paul’s day. They were pagans and hostile to both Christians and Jews. But, Jesus commanded obedience to Rome. Jesus doesn’t restrict obedience to democracies. He commands that Christians obey all governments, including communist, fascist, monarchal, socialist, theocratic (think Islamic in Iran, Hindu in India), and even authoritarian governments like North Korea.

Except…

First Things First

A Christian’s first allegiance is to the Kingdom of Christ (c.f. Colossians 1:13, 14). Peter and John rejected the authority of the Sanhedrin. When ordered to stop preaching about Jesus’ death, and especially His resurrection, the apostles’ response was sharp: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In their previous meeting, they told the rulers Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19, 20). In other words, No!  We won’t stop preaching Jesus! Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

Christians have no divided allegiance. Our allegiance is to an “otherworldly” kingdom, one not of this earth. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). We now live in a world governed by evil (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4). We are to be the light of this world and the salt of the earth so that we might improve and remove the darkness while showing good works (Matthew 5:13 – 16).

Christian, you belong to Christ. You are his servant. You live in a dark world which you brighten by the love of Christ. Pledge allegiance to the Lord!

(I am not suggesting we stop saying the pledge to the flag. Just keep first things first.)