The Partisan Paradox V: Walking The Razor's Edge

Never mind supporting a specific politician or political ideology...can individual Christians ever involve themselves in the political arena for the betterment of society? Should the Church look to the power of politics to effect moral reform within America? I believe that the following points may help to clarify the believer’s relationship to government and politics.

In truth we’re straddling the razors edge now. An individual Christian could conceivably involve themselves in the political arena as individuals, but it is not the place of the Church (corporately speaking) to change political/governmental institutions. There are tremendous risks involved. One slip and things get real messy. Irreparable harm can be done to the image of Christianity and one's self. 

If you personally feel compelled to become a politician yourself there is nothing that prevents that. There is a huge caveat though. You had better have a clean past (which most don’t) and shouldn't likely aligning to any specific party. It is best to remain independent or unaffiliated. You had better pray vehemently that you do not stumble in the public view. Based on the reasoning in previous posts in this series I have strong inclinations against Christian’s going into public office as you are obviously representing more than yourself and other human beings. You represent Christ. The probability of an inadvertent misstep is high. You're relationship with Christ should be paramount.

There are many in society that will be venomous towards a Christian. They will wait patiently for your first screw up and then will pounce, malign and attack viciously with the usual accusations of hypocrite and charlatan. Some may just attempt mis-characterization and slanderous accusation. I personally don't believe the risks warrant doing so. Nothing prevents a Christian from doing this in a non-partisan manner. Unfortunately, by not aligning you are going to be viewed with a jaundiced eye by both sides. They’ll both see you as a threat to their ideologies. Regardless, you should seek to be of impeccable character which the Bible calls you to regardless. He have to be above the fray of the quagmire you’ll be entering into.

It is my personal belief after much prayer that a leader within the church should not seek a public office. The leader of a specific church or Christian organization is representative of a specific peoples and runs the risk of alignment of that church to a political ideal that is not biblical.

Additionally, the idea of trying to create a theocracy by commandeering the American democratic process with spiritual leaders was tried before in the United States before the United States was even formed…and it failed miserably. Ask the Puritans. But interestingly, the individual outside of a spiritual leadership in church leadership can bring something into the American governmental institution. It might be a good way to engage the culture and have a positive affect on the culture.  You might have the opportunity to speak God’s truth to the issues to people unfamiliar with God’s design. You might be asked questions that will cause you to dig deeper into the Bible, thus building your faith. You could meet and develop relationships with others, of all sorts, in the community. Doors to other opportunities may be opened to you.

The downside is that “politics is dirty business.” Politicians, even those with the best of motives, are in danger of being corrupted by a system that deals in power. Those in political office, especially at the federal level, are courted by those who hope to gain favor in efforts to advance their own agendas. Special interest lobby groups like, ACLU, Big Pharma, NRA and Planned Parenthood others have deep pockets. In the case of groups like the NRA and Planned Parenthood there are even more political and moral ramifications. Wherever money and power are concentrated, greed and covetousness are always nearby. There is extreme danger for Christians who are involved in worldly political systems, and great care must be taken to be in that world, but not of it. Perhaps nowhere in life is it more true that “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33) than in the seats of political power.

Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The kingdom of Christ is not connected with earthly political systems or national governments, all of which are in rebellion against God. The world Christians are to be concerned with is the spiritual realm, not the temporal. There is nothing wrong with Christians being involved in politics, as long as they remember that we are to be ambassadors for Christ on earth. Remember, we’re to engage not integrate to.

So again I ask, “Should a Christian run for political office?” For some Christians, the answer is a definite no; for others, a definite yes. This is a personal decision that requires prayer and the wisdom only God can provide (James 1:5). Christian politicians must remember that their duty to the Lord must take precedence over the duties of their office. If you don’t think yo can uphold your duty to public office you probably shouldn’t be entering into it. Paul tells us that whatever we do, we are to do it for the glory of the Lord, not our own (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). If a Christian does seek office, it should only be if he/she can faithfully execute the duties of that office to the glory of God and without compromising Christian principles. I don’t care how much faith and spiritual fortitude you think you have. It will test the best Christian.

Our Lord did not give His Church a political agenda, but a spiritual mandate to proclaim the Gospel and disciple nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Such a mandate far outweighs any political obligation. Interestingly, the early church, living under a much more oppressive government than we in America, willingly submitted to Rome and never once attempted to form a political party or change Roman laws. They refused to allow any political crusade to take priority over the pure message of the Gospel. They weren’t merely interested necessary in making a better society; they wanted to completely transform it with the message of the Gospel.