Christians and Politics

Over the last several years, I'm struggled with whether, how, and when Christians should be involved in politics. Now, before you move to another site, I'm not going to launch into a political speech here. In fact, I seem to have leaned the other way, AWAY from politics. I just have a hard time seeing Jesus being involved in politics. It seems that there were more pressing issues to Him at the time.

Now, before you launch into your own political speech, I've heard most or all of the evangelical arguments on why Christians should be involved in politics. My problem is that I haven't found a solid biblical ground for those arguments. Well, to be honest, my REAL problem is that the modern American conservative church has become so involved in politics that it almost exists as another political organization. (huh???) To say it differently, when many people hear the term "evangelical", they immediately think of politics rather than faith. I'm pretty sure that's not the way things are supposed to be.

Yes, we are supposed to submit to those in authority over us. Wait, did I say that? Yes, we are to SUBMIT to those in authority over us. We are also to pray for them. We are to do what is required--obeying the laws and paying taxes. Are we commanded to anything else, such as voting or engaging in political activism? You'd be hard-pressed to find such a commandment that actually applies to the church. In fact, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4).

That's really the bottom line. Christians are to be soldiers of Christ. We have only one mission in life: To make disciples of all the nations. We have to ask ourselves, "Is this activity going to help or hinder my mission?" Yes, it's a tough question. And yes, there are matters of conscience involved. No one else can be your Holy Spirit.

And to quote the inimitable Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."