Some have expressed concerns over this season of the church that the church (and Christians) are getting too political. There are concerns that politics and church shouldn’t mix or go together. I understand this objection and would agree depending on how we define the term “politics” or “political.”
It might be best to say that the church should not be partisan, but must be political. What do I mean by partisan? I mean that the church should not be a political party, or associate with one, or desire to be a civil government. I would say that the church must be careful not to be involved in the “machinery” of politics where sermons sound more like stump speeches rather than expounding the truth of Scripture. Our end goal is also not a rally or movement producing structural change apart from the proclamation of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. So no, the church—if you equate the above as political—should not be political.
However, if we understand politics to be issues and ideas that affect the public square (politics comes from the Greek word polis for city), then I would say that the church is, of its very nature, extremely political. One of the most basic Christian confessions is that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. That confession is a very political statement. That statement says Jesus is King over Caesar. He is King over the Prime Minister. He is King over the Premier. Jesus is “the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:5)!
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s image, they were making a political statement. When Daniel refused to follow the 30-day injunction, he was making a political statement. When Christians refused to burn incense and say, “Caesar is lord,” they were making a political statement. All were not penalized for their worship or for their beliefs, but because they defied the state. And why did they defy the state? Because God is over all and above all. Remember the charges listed above Jesus’ head? He was crucified as a threat to rulers of his age. He was crucified as an enemy of the state. It should be clear from history and today, where Jesus is honored as King over earthly kings, Christians will be seen as a danger to any state that resists his rule (e.g., China or North Korea).
The Bible, and therefore the church, has a very political/public theology (cf. Psalm 2). It speaks not just to matters of the heart, it speaks to the home, to marriage, to children, and even to matters of public affairs. The problem today is not that the church has become more political, it is that the state has become more religious. With the end of a common biblical worldview and ethic, a new religion with a new ethic is redefining gender, marriage, and the role of government and its authority over the church.
So no, we are not partisan, we are not politicians or social justice advocates, we are Christians who serve the King above all kings. That means something. That will bring conflict when the dictates of earthly kings conflict with the commands of the Sovereign King.
May God help us be faithful to proclaim the word, share the gospel, and speak the truth of Scripture as it speaks to individuals, families, the church, and the governing authorities.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46