Should Christians be involved in politics?
Many believers instinctively baulk at the idea that they should be involved in politics. After all it is often regarded as a blood sport and can become rather nasty. Moreover, we sometimes view those believers in political life as hypocrites or (at best) very skeptically as opportunists who use religion to obtain votes and political power. Where did this instinctive aversion to political engagement come from among believers?
Since its birth around two millennia ago, there has always been a notion that seem to encourage separation in Christianity. This tendency is based on some verses in the
Bible that, in some instances, seem to encourage people to be “separate” and not to love the things of this world. According to some of these verses:
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2Co 6:17 AV)
And:
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (Jas 4:4 AV)
For the first three centuries in its fledgling existence, Christianity struggled to survive as a kind of fringe religion that was often forced underground. It was not until about the third century AD that Christianity was adopted by the Roman Emperor Constantine. As part of his conversion, he merged Christianity with the Roman state and decreed it the official religion of the Roman empire. Since then, organized Christianity’s fortunes were closely allied with those states which eventually emerged as “western” countries.
The Protestant reformation, led by Martin Luther around 500 years ago, gave rise to denominations which to some extent or other have shunned the union of Church and state.
in relatively recent modern history, the US constitution has been read to mean that there should be elimination of religion from public life. This interpretation ostensibly stemmed from the first amendment wording which dictated that,
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Brilliant in its simplicity, this amendment (at face value) seemed to have set up a one-way relationship between the Congress and the American people who wanted to practice their religion. Congress was not to impede nor enact laws which hindered or restrict the religious expressions of the people. This one-way relationship meant that the Church and other religions could freely express their freedoms in every area of life, including politics and other institutions in the social sphere. It was the government which was restricted by this amendment, not the Church.
Since its crafting, this amendment was misinterpreted that there should be “separation of Church and state” where religion should be kept out of government, rather than that Congress should not interfere with, nor impede the religious freedoms of the American population. If read in the latter way, Churches would be able to carry out religious practices and the government was not empowered to prevent the church from engaging in religious expression. In reality, government action began to impede religious expression in government institutions such as schools and other federally funded programs.
This misconception was given further legs by Linden B. Johnson’s 1954 Amendment to the US tax code (to a bill in the 83rd Congress, H.R. 8300 which was enacted into law as the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) that included a provision prohibiting endorsement or opposition of political candidates by all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Effectively, this was translated by many Church leaders as churches should not have a political opinion. This position was adopted out of fear that political expression would lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to exercise the power given to it to remove the Church’s tax-free status if the Church expressed a political opinion or supported any political organization.
This over 60 year provision effectively acted as a gag order on the church, as obviously good, law abiding churches strictly adhered to it. The net result is the church lost public ground as it remained silent on many social issues which affected not only their congregations but the people whom they would need to target for purposes of evangelism. More equipped and wealthier congregations tried to have their voices heard in court. They enjoyed some victories with some favorable court decisions that allowed them to claw back some religious freedoms that had been steadily eroding over the years.
Coupled with the cultural and behavior change caused by these kinds of government actions, the ordinary believer learned to further separate him or herself from public political discourse in order to preserve these fragile religious freedoms. This position was further exacerbated by the rise of some Christian sects which argue that Christians should not be involved in politics, using Jesus injunction to “give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and to God what is His” (Matt 22:21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25) as the justification for this separation. In essence, the church should not have anything to say about politics.
Many believers have erroneously interpreted these Scriptures to mean that we should disengage from public life as we become more and more focused on the things of heaven. While our focus should be more concerned with the Kingdom of God and its advancement, Jesus has taught both by word and example that we should influence our world for good.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Mt 5:13-14 AV)
And:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Mt 28:19 AV)
Jesus’ actions demonstrated His concern for the welfare of His fellow citizens as well. Not only did He perform miracles to ease their illnesses and diseases, but he engaged their everyday issues through doctrine, counsel and material provisions. In the story of the feeding of the five thousand (Matt 14:13-21) Jesus carefully organized for his audience to be fed with the food available, thus demonstrating concern for their material welfare while he was teaching them the principles of God.
This was not a new development in God’s response to mankind. Throughout the Old Testament he constantly commented on the political and religious situations of the Israelites and their neighbors through the mouths of prophets. God recognized and showed us repeatedly in the Scriptures that people’s welfare is dependent on their relationship with God and righteousness. Those who spoke on His behalf constantly reminded the Children of Israel and their surrounding neighbors of the negative fates which would befall them if they made certain poor choices.
Mature believers should be very interested in and involved where possible in the politics of their community and country. On May 4, 2017, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order attempting to negate the effects of the Johnson Amendment, noting that:
“It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom. The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views were integral to a vibrant public square, and in which religious people and institutions were free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the Federal Government. For that reason, the United States Constitution enshrines and protects the fundamental right to religious liberty as Americans’ first freedom. Federal law protects the freedom of Americans and their organizations to exercise religion and participate fully in civic life without undue interference by the Federal Government. The executive branch will honor and enforce those protections.”
Consequently, the order directed that:
“All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall, to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech. In particular, the Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that the Department of the Treasury does not take any adverse action against any individual, house of worship, or other religious organization on the basis that such individual or organization speaks or has spoken about moral or political issues from a religious perspective, where speech of similar character has, consistent with law, not ordinarily been treated as participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate for public office by the Department of the Treasury. As used in this section, the term “adverse action” means the imposition of any tax or tax penalty; the delay or denial of tax-exempt status; the disallowance of tax deductions for contributions made to entities exempted from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, United States Code; or any other action that makes unavailable or denies any tax deduction, exemption, credit, or benefit.”
While critics of this directive argue that it does not repeal the provision of the Johnson amendment, this new thrust is seeking to lift the gag order on the Church and facilitate greater opportunities for believers’ involvement in America’s public life.
As matureChristians, we are not only expected to get beyond our self-imposed restrictions, but to actively engage politics and politicians in the public sphere. Not only can believers effect positive change, but we can follow the early traditions of our Christian heritage and influence strategies, actions and programs which alleviate the hardships and sufferings of our fellow citizens and also promote their best welfare.
We are to seek to carry out the will of God as mature believers. And surprise of surprises! The will of God is for us to be salt and light. God expects us to be involved in the issues which affect the daily life of our friends and neighbors as well as ourselves. Not only did Jesus give us this instruction, but the entire Bible is replete with the political history of the Israelites and other peoples with which they had to engage. Moreover, it is filled with political strategies and can provide the astute politician with brilliant strategies with which to win and keep on winning in political life. Not surprising, the New Testament scriptures tells us that God’s divine power has given us everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). That same verse indicates that Christ has called us to glory and virtue. What better arena to display these attributes than in the public life of our communities and countries?
Learn More about Early Christianity’s evolution and development from Dr. Johnathan Phillips’ “Ancient Roads: From Christ to Constantine” at:
https://www.tpt.org/ancient-roads-from-christ-to-constantine/
Learn More about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation from “a Man named Martin” at:
https://www.lhm.org/studies/studydetail.asp?id=27156
Learn more about the Johnson Amendment at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Amendment
Learn More about Presidential Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty at: