Should Christians Be Involved In Politics?
This is another controversial topic in Christian teaching, and biblical interpretations. Since politics has far-reaching implications in all aspects of our lives, it is something we should evaluate very carefully.
There are several denominations that tell Christians not to vote, or to become involved in politics at all. It is interesting to note, some of these churches who claim to be untainted by politics, will tell the congregation to stay out of politics, while the leaders do just the opposite.
How can any of them completely stay out of politics, when they are registered, and governed under the statutes of the Societies Act? The Societies Act has a similar structure as a corporation, but is designed specifically for non-profits.
Churches would not be registered, would not have tax exemption status, would not be doing public broadcasting, or applying for building codes, and building churches, if they had zero involvement in politics.
The use of schools, roads, health care, and all other public affairs – are politically affiliated. So there is no escaping politics.
All churches must follow the laws of the land, and government policies. Many of the Christian sects who try to separate from the world, and claim the entire outside world is evil, end up becoming cults.
However there are some verses in the bible that might appear to be conflicting, or could allow people to pick and choose one extreme or the other. On one hand, avoid all political discourse to include voting. On the other hand, to be a light in the darkness, and stand up against evil and injustice.
There is some discernment required. It is clear we are to keep order, obey laws, and pray for the government in power. We are not supposed to go out rioting in the streets, protest illegally, or with any sort of violence.
In our times, we have been made aware of many government protests. I believe that lawful peaceful protests in a democratic country are within the rights of all citizens who wish to participate.
However, I do not believe any protest should interfere with public safety, or the rights of other citizens who are not part of the protest. I also believe protesters should never go to the home of any politician in order to protest. Nor should politicians be heckled or confronted when out on family vacations or outings.
We have to keep in mind that God knows who is in charge, and who has temporary political powers on this earth. The only leader who is constant, all knowing, from the beginning to the end, is God. All others are elected, or appointed for a brief window of time.
It is one thing to influence public opinion if you can, when a politician appears to be corrupt, self-serving, or doing harm. But we all must recognize and respect the limits, boundaries and protections awarded to people in political roles.
There are many who might disagree, but in my opinion, politicians have families, and a right to a private life, like anyone else does. To cross the boundary of personal space, is threatening their Charter Rights. When people are so bold as to challenge politicians while they are in their homes, they are doing what they would not want done to themselves.
How many of us would want the government, or some vigilante protest group to show up outside our home, and park themselves on our lawns, or private property? It would be invasive, intrusive, and intimidating, to say the least.
We have seen plenty of governments corruption, but we have also seen increasingly militant protest groups, who are taking over events intended for other purposes. As it is with all things, there must be boundaries, as well as checks and balances to keep the peace.
One of the central Christian principles is to do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. The golden rule can be found in Luke 6:31 as well as in Matthew 7:12.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
We are not supposed to be overcome with evil, but rather to overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 tells us this:
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Whether we like it or not, politics is in every aspect of our lives. All organizations have a political structure, regardless of the size. As Christians we are to obey God, the bible, and God’s commandments, first and foremost.
Throughout history, there have been cases where Christians took great risks, and refused to follow the orders of a certain king, or political leader.
One of the most known examples of disobedience to a king, was to save the life of Moses. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt gave strict orders to kill all Hebrew baby boys in Exodus 1:22. They were to be thrown into the Nile River and drowned, because Pharaoh’s astrologies had indicated there was a coming King, which could threaten his position.
The mother of Moses managed to hide him for three months, and when she could no longer keep him hidden, she fashioned a basket made of reeds, carefully waterproofing it, and then setting him afloat in the river. The Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing in the river, and saw the basket with the baby in it. She was overcome with compassion for the infant, and took him home with her, to raise as her own child.
Clearly these events were the will of God, as Moses has played a very important role in the history of the bible.
Other examples are when Christians, including Mary and Joseph were warned to leave a certain area, to avoid the wrath of the current political leadership.
We also have the parable of the wheat and the tares to refer to. Jesus explained that the wheat and the tares co-exist until the time of His return. When the disciples asked him if they should go pull up the tares, he told them not to. Therefore, we are to be discerning, but not violent or destructive. We are to proclaim the gospel, and the word of God, and not hide our light.
Luke 8:16-17
Ephesians 5:11-13
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Does it sound like we should have nothing at all to do with politics? It appears we are to carefully discern how to demonstrate Christian values in relation to politics. There is special emphasis on this when it comes to orphaned or abandoned children, and widows.
There are many other examples of Christians refusing to follow the orders of certain leaders that were contrary to God’s laws. The Apostle’s and many other early Christians were persecuted, and imprisoned by King Herod for worshipping Jesus, in defiance of Herod’s rules.
The bible does say we must obey the government when it comes to law and order in our everyday lives. We are not to defraud one another, lie, give false witness, or become violent, to include interfering with the free will of others. We are to obey God’s Commandments.
Romans 13: 1-14 is often used to tell Christians to avoid politics, however the context, is much deeper than what is understood by most of us. It was a message given while under the siege of the Roman Empire.
The bible describes a situation where Peter was taken prisoner in Acts 12:3-5. King Herod Agrippa had him put in prison to await execution. The church was so concerned for Peter, they gathered in a house to pray for his release. God answered their prayers.
The night before the trial, an angel appeared inside the prison, woke Peter up, and removed his chains. The angel then opened the prison doors, and the main gate of the prison to set him free. Herod must have been furious, but also must have been reminded of God’s power to intervene on behalf of His people.
In a similar type situation Paul managed to escape and avoid execution in Damascus. This event is described in 2 Corinthians 11:30-33. The governor, under king Aretas attempted to seize Paul in order to execute him. Paul hid himself in a large wicker basket, and then was lowered down the city wall through a window, and managed to avoid his persecutors. Obviously Paul would have required assistance to make this escape, so the disciples who helped him, were also defying the local political orders.
Even so, Paul wrote Romans 13 in order to outline the need for law and order.
In more recent years, we can use the horrors of the second world war, to describe how some people heroically assisted people escape death. Clearly they were defying Hitler’s orders, and risked death themselves in order to save others. This type of political defiance is not viewed as being unbiblical.
We simply cannot escape politics, as matters of public affairs are all around us, all the time. We are called upon first and foremost to repent, and turn away from our own sin. It is overwhelming to fully realize how sinful and foolish I have been in my lifetime.
By the grace of God, our shame is turned into hope, which is something we want for our family, our neighbours, our communities, and our country. We are not in a position to judge or condemn others, but we can, and should speak out against what is harmful or deceitful.
We are each given different gifts, and are called according to God’s purpose. Therefore we have to seek God’s will first and foremost. We should be mindful of the coming Kingdom of God on this earth, and look to the future of a government with Christ ruling over all of the earth.
To me, one of the verses to demonstrate the destiny, and importance of politics, is found in Isaiah 9:6