Has Christianity Become Too Political?
By Vlad Savchuk | September 16, 2024 | 4 minutes
Has Christianity Become Too Political?
The United States was founded on Christian principles, and although the U.S. doesn’t have an official religion, some call it a Christian country.
The Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” but many founding fathers were Christians. In fact, George Washington said, “It’s impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible,” while John Adams said, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved Independence were the general principles of Christianity.”
Politics Are Becoming Spiritual
Often people will tell Christians to keep their spirituality out of politics, but nowadays that is becoming harder and harder and politics are becoming more and more spiritual. If we refuse to be the salt of the world, darkness will take over.
However, on the other extreme is what Jesus warned about in Mark 8:15 saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is the religious spirit, and the leaven of Herod, which is the political spirit.” The political spirit breeds division, strife, and elevates leaders to saviors over heavenly citizenship.
How to Live In This World but Not Be of It
1. Jesus’ Kingdom Begins in the Spiritual Realm but Breaks into the Physical Realm
Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual but manifests itself in the physical realm. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” in John 18:36. It’s a spiritual Kingdom that we can see manifests through healing, deliverance, and miracles. His Kingdom is active, influencing different areas if we allow it to. We see this in the O.T where many men and women of God were used to bring influence and change in different aspects of society.
Christians were involved in every sphere of society, including politics, and they saw the kingdom of God break into those areas, bringing about reformation.
2. Early Christians Were Excluded from Politics
Early Christians were excluded from politics due to their minority status and Roman persecution. Early Christians focused on spreading the gospel, building communities, and maintaining a distinct identity in a predominantly pagan society. They faced persecution for refusing to participate in Roman worship, seen as political disloyalty. Christians under Roman oppression faced death until Constantine’s conversion and the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which ended Christian persecution. Afterward, Christians began influencing Roman politics, leading to positive changes, but also to corruption and power struggles.
3. Christians Are Sent to Make Disciples of All Nations
Jesus commissions us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, not to make a nation Christian, but to make people in every nation disciples of Jesus. Christians are citizens of heaven, aliens, strangers, ambassadors, a holy nation, but also salt and light. Salt preserves against moral and spiritual decay through their presence and actions. The righteous, holy people of God, living in society and treating it as a mission field, prevent moral decay and enhance the flavor of God’s goodness. Christians are called to the nations and every sphere of society.
4. Christians, Like Jews in Babylon, Should Be Involved in Society
Christians, like Jews in Babylon, should be involved in all areas of society to bring God’s influence. This earth belongs to God, but it’s currently under Satan’s rule. Christians have authority to drive out demons.
Christians are in the world but not of it, waiting for Jesus’ return yet having the assignment to influence their world for Jesus. Jeremiah 29:4-14 tells the Jews in Babylon to “seek the peace of the city” and pray for it. Christians have duties on earth and must participate actively in society, making it a better place.
5. While Engaging in Politics, Remember Our Purpose
While engaging in politics, Christians must remember their purpose. Dr. Michael Brown warns against extreme nationalism and political spirit, advising Christians not to wrap the gospel in the national flag, equate the country with God’s kingdom, confuse patriotism with spirituality, compromise ethics to keep a party in power, or make a political leader a savior.
As Christians, we must be salt and light, actively engaged, speaking up for biblical values, and praying for our nation knowing that ultimate peace will come when the Prince of Peace establishes His kingdom on earth.