In recent years, the American political scene has come to resemble the combination of a war, a carnival, and a Jerry Springer reality show. What was once characterized by discussion and debate is now dominated by vitriolic accusation and partisan combat. Evangelicals have felt the brunt of the situation, with mainstream media and progressive activists viewing us as ignorant, bigoted, and phobic. It’s no wonder we’re tempted to view the political sphere as inherently dirty.
Yet, the Bible’s perspective on government and politics transcends the current American situation. Its treatment of the political sphere goes deeper than partisan bickering, presidential elections, and conspiracy theories. It paints a picture of government and politics as a sphere corrupted by sin, yes, but inherently good and in need of Christian influence.
The Bible’s Holistic View of Politics
The Bible’s overarching narrative unfolds in four acts: the creation of a harmonious and just world, the disruption caused by human sin, the redemption initiated through Christ’s sacrifice, and the anticipated restoration of all things under God’s reign. This storyline offers rich insights into contemporary political engagement, emphasizing a politics that anticipates and embodies the forthcoming Kingdom of God.
As Christians, we must live in the tension between the already initiated and not yet fulfilled kingdom. We are called to engage politically in ways that reflect and promote God’s justice and peace, eschewing idolatry of any temporal power or ideology. This engagement is not about seizing control but about testifying to God’s ultimate reign, manifesting a public life that aligns with the gospel’s transformative power. In a phrase, our lives must be previews of God’s coming kingdom.
Biblical Teaching about Specific Political Realities
But how can our lives serve as a political preview of God’s kingdom? By conforming to the Bible’s teaching on specific political realities. Here are a few examples among many that could be offered.
1. The Hope of the World: Political ideologies such as socialism strive for a utopia and view their political programs as saviors of the world. Thus, as Christians, we must never neglect the most important political assembly of all — the church’s gathering on Sunday mornings. Through Word and Table, we remind the world that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the hope of the world.
2. The Dignity of All Humans: Sadly, many Americans see no inherent value in human life. Thus, as Christians, we must never cease to remind our fellow citizens that all human beings are created in the image of God. We must be pro-life from womb to tomb, rejecting political agendas that promote abortion, euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide.
3. The Importance of Law and Order: An increasing number of Americans undermine the enforcement of law and order. But God ordained government for the very purpose of achieving public justice through lawmaking and law enforcement. Thus, we must resist movements that seek to defund the police, ignore immigration law, or otherwise flout public justice.
4. The Necessity of National Defense: God gives the government the power of the sword and calls it to protect the nation from encroaching enemies. Therefore, we must support our nation’s defenders and secure the homeland.
5. The Good of the Whole Nation: In recent years, our nation has devolved into identity politics based on race, gender, and class. But Scripture calls Christians to seek the good of all people, not merely the interests of our own “tribe.” Thus, our political engagement should reveal Christian love for all human beings.
6. The Primacy of Marriage and Family: For the past several years, our nation has increasingly undermined marriage and family, the most basic institution in creation and history. We have encouraged sexual immorality, legalized abortion, redefined marriage to include homosexual couples, and more. Thus, even in the face of enormous social pressure, we must continue to uphold God’s design for marriage and family.
7. The Priority of Religious Liberty: Our Founding Fathers had the foresight to view religious liberty as the “first liberty,” the freedom that enables all other freedoms. Yet, in our day, progressives continually elevate nondiscrimination law over religious liberty, seeking to punish Christians for our beliefs about what God has said regarding sex and gender. Therefore, we must stand our ground, affirming the right of every American to align their life with their deepest religious convictions and to do so without fear of reprisal.
By standing our ground on issues such as these, we uphold our calling as Christ’s ambassadors and serve as previews of his coming Kingdom.
Sanity amid the Madness
In a dysfunctional and vitriolic political context, Christians are called to be an island of moral sobriety and social sanity. As the world falls apart, we must embody a politics that mirrors the hope, justice, and mercy of God’s imminent reign. This commitment involves not retreating from the public square but reimagining it as a platform for demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.
By advocating for policies that uphold the sanctity of life, the dignity of all individuals, and the principles of justice and peace, Christians can offer a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, a beacon of light in a world often clouded by political turmoil.
Dr. Robert J. Pacienza is the senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), the CEO/President of Coral Ridge Ministries, and the founder of the Institute for Faith and Culture.
