Rethinking Political Involvement: Part 2
In a previous blog, I wrote about the dangers of Christians in America becoming involved in the political process. While it is important for all of us to consider the dangers of becoming too entangled in the events of the world around us, it is not enough to simply say what we should not do. We also need to formulate an answer for what we should be doing. Politics are a huge part of American culture, and disregarding this fact will do us no good. However, while it is important to understand the common political issues of the day, we should also understand that traditional political solutions have rarely furthered the kingdom of God. Our ultimate goal should the salvation of men to the glory of God, and focusing on political goals will often hinder us in our ultimate goal. Because I do not believe that Christians should be disengaged with the world, I want to discuss a few ways that Christians in American can have an influence in our country without being politically involved. Furthermore, I want to consider what our response should be when political ideas need to be addressed within the church.
I’ll start by sharing again what I feel are the three main dangers that Christians face when becoming involved in politics. First, a focus on political issues inevitably means that we will not focus as much on other issues that have more eternal value. Second, it is extremely tempting for Christians to compromise on their values as they support various political figures and causes. Finally, political involvement often makes it much more difficult for Christians to reach unbelievers around them. However, while political involvement is certainly very dangerous for a Christian, I believe that there are healthy ways to engage with the issues our country faces today without becoming directly involved in the political process.
As Christians relate to their government, one of the most important things they can do is pray for their leaders. In I Timothy 2, Paul urges Christians to pray for all people, especially the government. It is interesting to note that the leaders of this time were the idolatrous Romans. It is even more interesting to note the reason that Paul gives for why we should pray. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (ESV).” Paul states that our prayers for those around us should lead us to live quiet and peaceful lives. I’ll let you speculate for yourself on what it means to “lead a peaceful and quiet life,” but it is obvious that praying for our leaders is included in that lifestyle.
In addition to praying for our leaders, Romans 13:1–2 also commands us to respect our leaders. Personally, this is a commandment is difficult for me. I don’t enjoy speaking respectfully about leaders who, in my estimation, have not earned my respect. While it may be difficult to respect corrupt or immoral leaders, the instruction in Scripture leaves us with no room for argument. Nero, the leader of Rome, was a monstrously evil ruler, and yet Paul expected the Christians in Rome to respect him. While the most recent leaders of the United States have been far from perfect, none of them have been as evil as Nero. As Christians in America, we have every reason to show respect to our government and speak well of them in every way we truthfully can.
Beyond having the right attitude toward our government, we, as Christian citizens, have a responsibility to engage with those around us. Building relationships with people who are similar to us is important, but we are also called to reach out to people who are more difficult to love and understand. In Luke 6, Jesus challenged his audience on this issue: “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same…. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great (Luke 6:32–35, ESV).” It is important to show Christ’s love to all people around us, including those who have significant cultural, religious, or political differences from us. Without compromising the truth of Scripture, we need to build bridges to those who would not ordinarily accept our love. Unfortunately, Christians are often known for judging others who disagree with them, both in areas of religion and politics.
An example of this can be found in an incident that occurred at Liberty University in 2015. Liberty, one of the largest Christian colleges in the United States, is led by Jerry Falwell Jr., a well-known voice in evangelical circles. In an address to the student body, Falwell referenced a recent mass shooting, then told the students, “If some of those people in that community center had what I have in my back pocket right now… I’ve always thought that if more good people had concealed carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in and killed them. I just wanted to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to get your permit… Let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here.” Falwell’s remarks produced enthusiastic cheers from his audience, but generated a mix of opinions from other Christians across the country.
Falwell’s statement is an excellent example of how Christians can build walls between themselves and unbelievers by expressing themselves politically. Instead of speaking of how Christians should live peaceably and love those around them, Falwell focused on the political issues of gun rights and immigration/minority groups. This message did nothing to build a bridge for Christians to reach to their Muslims neighbors. Rather, it sent a message of judgment and superiority. The issues that Falwell was addressing are complicated, and it is healthy to have conversations about how to deal with gun violence and radicalized Islam. However, the tone and nature of Falwell’s speech were far more political, rather than Biblical, in nature.
In an interesting contrast to Falwell’s ultra-political approach, another Christian leader, Shane Claiborne, has offered a distinctly differ approach. In both his writings and his lifestyle, Claiborne emphasizes nonviolence, loving one’s enemies, and helping the poor. While he encourages some political involvement, he stresses that Christ and his kingdom, not politics, should be our primary focus. As he stated in an interview, “Our goal is to seek first the kingdom of God… We get some pretty good glimpses of what that looks like from the gospels: the poor are blessed and the rich are sent away empty, the mighty are cast from their thrones, the lowly are lifted, the peacemakers and the meek are blessed, and the proud-hearted are scattered (Luke 1:51–53).”
Let me clarify that I do not agree with many things that Claiborne believes. However, I am inspired by his message of using Christ’s love to break down barriers that have often existed between religions, cultures, and political ideologies. Our lifestyle, not our voting record, is what matters most to Christ. The value of political involvement can be debated, but there is no debate that our testimony of Christ’s love must never be sacrificed at the alter of political activism. The kingdom of God, not immigration laws or the tax rate, must be our focus.
And by the way, what did the interaction between Jerry Falwell and Shane Claiborne look like? The two leaders had had a record of clashing over opposing viewpoints, when Claiborne sent a friendly letter to Falwell, asking him for permission to come to Liberty University and pray together. Falwell’s responded by sending this message: “You have been restricted from all properties owned and operated by Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist church… Should you violate this restriction, you will be arrested for trespassing.” This savage response to an innocent request is simply an example of the different approaches of Falwell and Claiborne to dealing with conflict.
That leaves one more significant question to answer. How should Christians speak about political issues, when these conversations do inevitably arise? I don’t blame anyone for having personal opinions about political issues, but it is important to speak about these opinions in healthy ways. As I discussed earlier, it is important not to unnecessarily offend people by sharing our political opinions. As we look at political issues of our day, we need to very carefully align our viewpoints with Scripture, not our favorite political party. The principles of Scripture need to guide every area of our lives, including our political beliefs. Often, we will find that the teachings of Scripture do not really fit into any political ideology. Because of this, it is important not to pledge our allegiance to a political party, or even our country. As believers, our unmoving allegiance must be to Christ, and Him alone.
My journey in understanding how Christians should view political issues and political involvement has been a journey. I can assure you I would not have written an article like this seven years ago. I don’t have all the answers today, which is why I invite feedback; I am always eager to learn truth that others have learned on their journeys. My desire is for Christians in America to refocus on the principles of Scripture, committed to following Christ at all costs.
Sources.
Falwell, Jerry Jr. “Response to Shane Claiborne. 2018.
Campolo, T., Clainborne, S. “A Dialogue on Politics.” 2012.
Falwell, Jerry Jr. Weekly Address. Liberty University.
