There are college level text books seeking to reconcile the relationship between Christianity and politics. To attempt to blog out a few germane or relevant thoughts even makes me chuckle. How can one adequately address the nature of this connection? Perhaps the best attempt is to simply identify the inherent challenges alongside the biblical template and let the reader determine how their faith individually and how our corporate faith as the Church determines this relationship.
Obviously, if Jesus is Lord of ALL (Colossians 12:16-20), then there is no arena of life which is exempt from His commands or Lordship. Jesus is declared to be “the King of Kings”. The Bible is replete with God’s people, disciples, prophets, apostles, and Jesus Himself engaging with civic government. In fact, our commission to go into ALL the world (KOSMON) and preach the Gospel clearly indicates that the Gospel is to penetrate every sector of humanity. Again, the question is not so much, “Should we engage civic government as Christians”, but rather, “How should we engage civic government”? Abdication is not an option, but neither is political assimilation an instant answer either. As believers, we live differently, act differently, think differently, and engage differently. We are certainly IN the world participating, but we are not “cut from the same cloth” as everyone else (John 17:16). Political engagement is not compartmentalized for the Christian. We bring our faith, our values, our integrity, our biblical fidelity to the arena, and not leave it at the door of government activity. This can be incredibly challenging for both the elected official who embraces Christianity as an actual believer, as well as the slice of the citizenry which holds to Jesus and the Christian faith.
Let us start with the concept of partisanship. Merriam-Webster defines the word as “a strong and sometimes blind adherence to a particular party, faction, cause, or person.” The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “the quality or action of supporting a person, principle or political party, often without considering or judging the matter very carefully.” Wikipedia states that partisanship is, “used for persons who strongly support their party’s policies and are reluctant to compromise with political opponents.” 21st century politics is the living, breathing illustration of partisanship. It is cemented into our psyche because we have, ostensibly, a two-party system of elections which leaves any political viability outside those parties almost impossible. At best, we define our priorities and then vote the candidate and party which most likely will uphold the concerns we prioritized. Most of the time, we get “the lesser evil” -or- “greater good” candidate depending on how you like to explain it. Practically, we usually get disappointed. Oh, there are moments of hope and indicators of transformation, but generally as one value is established, other values fade. We end up watching this perpetual dichotomy or what the Chinese philosophers have famously described as “yin & yang”. And sadly, the overall reformation of the culture has not been at some stand-off, but rather has consistently diminished and deteriorated.
Partisanship for the Christian should be towards Christ and the Kingdom of God alone. Our faith is not simply a part of who we are, but rather IT IS who we are. This is why Paul would write:
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 12:2 (AMPC)
This “new” way of thinking applies to all of life, including political life. Hence, the challenge. Political reality rarely thinks scripturally unless there is a voice reminding those involved of God’s thoughts. At this point enters the pastors, preachers, and prophets. These are some of the primary conduits of God’s voice articulating scripture and reminding us all of God’s expectations, commands, and requirements for being a follower of Him.
What does this all mean? Our allegiance is to the Lord, His Word, and His ways, before anything else. Our decisions in elections, legislation, and public policy are based on what He has commanded, not based on sheer pragmatism or partisanship. What it means is, your political party of choice is not the final say. Our neglect of this reality has, in no small part, put us at enmity with God. Ancient Rome is the perfect case study of this dynamic.
In Ancient Rome, Christians were not persecuted because of their worship of Jesus. Rome had a plethora of gods, including the Emperor, which provided scores of worship opportunities. In the mind of a good Roman, adding Jesus to the mix would have been little bother. The problem arose when the Christian said their worship and allegiance was EXCLUSIVELY reserved for Jesus. In other words, Jesus was no longer one of many gods sitting in effigy on the fireplace hearth. Jesus was the ONLY God who was worthy of worship. That claim of exclusive authority is what irritated the Roman Empire and in particular numerous emperors. One could say, allegiance to Jesus is the fast track to political problems. It created centuries of persecution and martyrdom. But the early Christian’s fidelity to exclusive allegiance Jesus eventually won the day. Yes, the road was paved with blood and hardship, but it won the day. Truth may not be fast, but rest assured it always shows up. Emperor Galerius, on his deathbed in 311 AD, issued a decree allowing Christians to practice their religion, officially ending the persecution. Constantine the Great and Licinius in 313 AD, declared complete religious freedom, returning confiscated church property and ensuring neutrality. Christianity began to be favored for the next 70 years until in 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius I issued the Edict of Thessalonica making Nicene Christianity the state religion. An amazing turn around story for the cause of Christ many would have stated, I am positive, at that time…
That is, until political viability and partisanship leaven one’s allegiance.
And soon, Christianity was indistinguishable from the Empire itself. In fact, it was called, “The Holy Roman Empire”. And perhaps the only time I would agree with the famous French deist, Voltaire, is when he said “(in actuality) it was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire”.
For America to be renewed to the destiny of the covenants and vision our founders saw for this nation, we as believers will have to eject from secular partisan authority and back to “We have no King but Jesus”. It is possible, but not without a revival of fearless obedience to God’s Word.
Until next time…
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