Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
Dr. Isabelo F. Magalit
What do the presidential elections have to do with us who are heavenly-minded? We whose minds are not on earthly things, whose primary citizenship is in heaven, from where our eagerly awaited Savior will come, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:19b, 20)?
Some of us say, very little. Let’s just get on living the Christian life – gathering for worship, spreading the Gospel, and building God’s Church. If these result in social influence, fine. But we are not here to influence society; we are here to prepare for eternity.
This understanding of the Christian life, however, is truncated and reductionist. Initially, it sounds spiritual. It is, in fact, docetist (from the Greek word dokein which means seeming). In effect, it treats the incarnation as only apparent, not real. But the Word really became flesh and dwelt among us—taking our humanity, becoming one among us (John 1:14). At the very least, the incarnation must mean that our humanity is precious to God, and all our human concerns are His concerns as well. These concerns include politics.
We all make political choices. Even those who do not vote also make a choice. They are saying that their votes do not matter, or that they do not care who gets elected. Their Christianity is the split-level variety: political choices are on the first floor: religious life is on the second floor, and there is no staircase between floors!
If Jesus is Lord, is He not Lord of all? Perhaps it is difficult to grasp how He is Lord out there- in the world of war and volcanic eruptions, of media and politics. However, as a believer, surely I must discern how He is Lord over my choices? Where I live, what work I do, which woman I marry, how I spend my money, which candidate gets my vote?
“But New Testament Christians did not vote!” is the ready rejoinder for some. Indeed, when we read the New Testament, the believers were told to obey the authorities, and to pray for them (Rom. 13:1-7; 1; 1; 1Tim. 2:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:13-17). They had nothing to do with the choice of their rulers.
They did not use typewriters either. That is no reason why we should not use typewriters today. There is such a thing as historical development, and if we believe that God is sovereign, we affirm that He superintends such processes. Today, we have a hand in the choice of our rulers. Everyone in the world pays lip service to democratic rule: “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” to use the words of Abraham Lincoln. Should we resist this development? Why should we? It makes eminent sense and can be defended as founded on the biblical doctrine of man.
The exegesis of Romans 13 does not change. Rulers still exist in order to promote good and restrain evil. That is why their authority is God-given. The exposition of the text, however, demands an understanding of what it means for our time. The divine design for human rule remains the same. But now citizens in the nation are acknowledged as sovereign. They elect those who are to rule over them, presumably on the basis of who will promote good and restrain evil. When chosen rulers prove incompetent or insincere, the people may replace them the next time around.
As believers, it is our duty to help the process so that the divine design for human rule will triumph. That is why our vote is a matter of conscience. That is why we must help get good men and women into public office. That is why we are concerned about clean and credible elections.
Besides, if Jesus is Lord and we are His people, it is our duty to bring His light wherever we go. That must mean the light of the Gospel. But also, the light of the whole counsel of God for the Word of the Lord has a great deal to say about the problems that beset our society. The problems of graft, injustice, violence, poverty, and broken families, are all addressed in the Scripture. God’s Law was particularly entrusted to His covenant people (Exo. 19, 20), but it is for all people of the world (Amos 1, 2). Societies that obey God’s law receive His blessings of social good (cp. Rom. 2:26).
We are not only light but we are also salt of the earth. As preservatives, working to prevent the spread of social decay and corruption, we do our work best when we are everywhere, penetrating every corner of our world. One does not put salt on a batch of fish and spread it only in one corner; the salt has to be spread all over! Those parts of our national life which seem most corrupt are those that need Christian influence the most. Where are the Josephs and Daniels of our generation who will serve God without compromise and will promote the welfare of many?
Love for neighbor means concern for his total welfare. The greatest favor we can do to our neighbor is to evangelize him. What better good can we share than to bring our neighbor into a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ? That is why evangelism is our priority. However, it is not our only duty. The Gospel is not the only favor we can give our neighbor. We can also serve him a cup of cold water. We can dress his wounds, lend him our car, and pay his hospital bills (cp. Luke 15 and the Good Samaritan). We can also work for a society where justice and righteousness flow like the Niagara Falls (Amos 5:24).
If political power is the mobilizing and managing of national resources for the public good, then good governance is part of the Christian commitment. Will our neighbor have opportunities for a decent life, regular employment, proper medical care, housing, and education of his children? All these are love for his neighbor.
Even if he turns away from the Gospel, we long for him to receive, and our love should not change. We are to follow the example of our Heavenly Father who sends His sun and rain not only on the just but also on the wicked (Matt. 5:45).What can we do? First, we educate our people to be involved. Second, we help clean up the electoral process. Third, we promote good candidates. The Guidelines from the Roman Catholic Church are useful. However, in addition to the personal qualities of a moral person that they list, we must add such essentials as the ability to govern and to promote the welfare of all.
We will not get a perfect government. Only the Lord Jesus is the perfect King, and His perfect Kingdom will come only when He returns in perfect splendor (Mark 16:24). However, we do not give up the struggle against sin simply because we are unable to attain perfection on this side of the resurrection. Likewise, we do not give up the dream of a just and righteous social order in our time, while we wait for our King.