CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS, by William MacDonald
Should a Christian become engaged in politics?
Those who say yes invariably quote the familiar aphorism, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If that does not clinch the case, they cite Joseph, Moses, and Daniel as examples of believers who were involved in the political system.
Although the aphorism sounds convincing, we should remember that it is a statement of human wisdom, not divine revelation. We should not give it the authority of Scripture. As for Joseph and Daniel, they never ran for office but served as government employees. Moses was more of a gadfly to the government than a part of it.
Those who say yes invariably quote the familiar aphorism, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If that does not clinch the case, they cite Joseph, Moses, and Daniel as examples of believers who were involved in the political system.
Although the aphorism sounds convincing, we should remember that it is a statement of human wisdom, not divine revelation. We should not give it the authority of Scripture. As for Joseph and Daniel, they never ran for office but served as government employees. Moses was more of a gadfly to the government than a part of it.
The Biblical Answer
If we go to the Word for an answer, what do we find?
The Lord Jesus did not engage in politics. If anything, He found Himself in an adverse relationship to the system. The disciples did not engage in politics. Did they miss God’s best by concentrating on the gospel? The apostle Paul did not engage in politics. Faithfulness to his calling and to his message pitted him against the pharisaic society.
Our Lord taught that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). He said to His unbelieving brothers, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:7). The apostle John reminds us that “the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Politics is part of the world system.
We have to separate ourselves from the world in order to influence it (2 Corinthians 6:17). Archimedes said he could move the world if he could get a fulcrum outside it. We must position ourselves outside the world system if we are going to move it for God. Paul insisted that “no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4). All believers are (or should be) on active duty. They should not allow themselves to be distracted.
Politics is corrupt. It is a system of compromise. Decisions are commonly made on the basis of what is expedient rather than what is right. It adheres to human rather than divine principles. The late Senator Vandenberg of Michigan said, “Politics by its very nature is corrupt. The church should not forget its true function by trying to participate in an area of human affairs where it must be a poor competitor…It will lose its purity of purpose by participating.”
The Lord Jesus did not engage in politics. If anything, He found Himself in an adverse relationship to the system. The disciples did not engage in politics. Did they miss God’s best by concentrating on the gospel? The apostle Paul did not engage in politics. Faithfulness to his calling and to his message pitted him against the pharisaic society.
Our Lord taught that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). He said to His unbelieving brothers, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:7). The apostle John reminds us that “the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Politics is part of the world system.
We have to separate ourselves from the world in order to influence it (2 Corinthians 6:17). Archimedes said he could move the world if he could get a fulcrum outside it. We must position ourselves outside the world system if we are going to move it for God. Paul insisted that “no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4). All believers are (or should be) on active duty. They should not allow themselves to be distracted.
Politics is corrupt. It is a system of compromise. Decisions are commonly made on the basis of what is expedient rather than what is right. It adheres to human rather than divine principles. The late Senator Vandenberg of Michigan said, “Politics by its very nature is corrupt. The church should not forget its true function by trying to participate in an area of human affairs where it must be a poor competitor…It will lose its purity of purpose by participating.”
The Banana Project
God’s solution to the world’s problems is not political but spiritual. New birth rather than newly elected officials is His answer. Politics is nothing more than a band-aid on a cancer. Our marching orders are, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:60). The [following] story of the banana peel puts things in proper perspective.
Once a man had a very important job in the publishing business and he was responsible for the publication and distribution of thousands of pieces of literature. On a particular day, he was on his way to work and as he passed a certain downtown corner he came across a banana peel on the sidewalk. Knowing of course that this was a potential danger, he took time to kick it into the gutter where no one would slip on it. But he began to think that more banana peel might be lying on the sidewalks of this large city. Suppose there was one that no one kicked in the gutter and someone stepped on it. Perhaps he should take the time to look through the streets of the city for a lurking banana peel. Otherwise someone might break some bones. Many might be saved a trip to the hospital. But wait a minute—he had his own responsibility. He was an important figure in the publishing business. It was his responsibility to keep the presses rolling and send messages to the ends of the earth. Reluctantly he abandoned the banana project for the more essential one. Let the street sweepers take care of the banana peel. That was their job.
Now let’s make the application. A Christian has the greatest responsibility in the world, that is, to publish the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a big business for the Christian. If he doesn’t do it, it will never be done. That’s why the Lord said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Many people are being involved in politics…but God has charged us with the blessed task of giving out the gospel to dying men and women. Other projects may be worthy, but if we fail in this, no one will take our place.
God’s purpose in this age is not to make the world a better place to live in, but to call out of the nations a people for His name (Acts 15:14). We should be working with Him in the accomplishment of this goal. Jowett said it well: “We are partners with God in the world’s redemption. This is our errand…to anoint men in the Name of the Lord to royalty of life, to sovereignty over self, to service for the realm.” He goes on to mourn the tragedy of Christians who fail to appreciate their high calling, who hug the subordinate, who creep instead of fly, who are slaves instead of kings.
The Christian’s primary citizenship is heavenly (Philippians 3:20). He is a pilgrim and stranger in this world (1 Peter 2:11). While he has a responsibility to obey the government and a right to use its judicial processes, he is not obligated to become part of the system. If I participate in politics, I’m casting a vote of confidence in its ability to solve the world’s problems. I have no reason for such confidence after centuries of political failures. The general tenor of the NT is that conditions are not going to get better (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). This makes the Christian’s responsibility to the Great Commission all the more urgent.
Does all this mean that believers adopt a do-nothing approach? No! The point is that we can do more through prayer than we ever could through the ballot. We hold the balance of power through prayer. We can affect the destiny of nations through prayer. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). The time hasn’t come for Christians to rule (1 Corinthians 4:8). Lifetime is training time for reigning time. Said William Kelly: "Never have Christians meddled with governing the world, save to His dishonor and their own shame. They are now called to suffer with Christ, by-and-by they shall reign with Him. Even He has not yet taken His great power for reigning. He sits upon His Father’s throne, as the earth rejected Christ, waiting for the word from His Father to execute judgment and sit on His own throne (Revelation 3:21)."
Even as I’m writing this, I received a news clipping which supports Kelly’s position. It says:
Once a man had a very important job in the publishing business and he was responsible for the publication and distribution of thousands of pieces of literature. On a particular day, he was on his way to work and as he passed a certain downtown corner he came across a banana peel on the sidewalk. Knowing of course that this was a potential danger, he took time to kick it into the gutter where no one would slip on it. But he began to think that more banana peel might be lying on the sidewalks of this large city. Suppose there was one that no one kicked in the gutter and someone stepped on it. Perhaps he should take the time to look through the streets of the city for a lurking banana peel. Otherwise someone might break some bones. Many might be saved a trip to the hospital. But wait a minute—he had his own responsibility. He was an important figure in the publishing business. It was his responsibility to keep the presses rolling and send messages to the ends of the earth. Reluctantly he abandoned the banana project for the more essential one. Let the street sweepers take care of the banana peel. That was their job.
Now let’s make the application. A Christian has the greatest responsibility in the world, that is, to publish the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a big business for the Christian. If he doesn’t do it, it will never be done. That’s why the Lord said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Many people are being involved in politics…but God has charged us with the blessed task of giving out the gospel to dying men and women. Other projects may be worthy, but if we fail in this, no one will take our place.
God’s purpose in this age is not to make the world a better place to live in, but to call out of the nations a people for His name (Acts 15:14). We should be working with Him in the accomplishment of this goal. Jowett said it well: “We are partners with God in the world’s redemption. This is our errand…to anoint men in the Name of the Lord to royalty of life, to sovereignty over self, to service for the realm.” He goes on to mourn the tragedy of Christians who fail to appreciate their high calling, who hug the subordinate, who creep instead of fly, who are slaves instead of kings.
The Christian’s primary citizenship is heavenly (Philippians 3:20). He is a pilgrim and stranger in this world (1 Peter 2:11). While he has a responsibility to obey the government and a right to use its judicial processes, he is not obligated to become part of the system. If I participate in politics, I’m casting a vote of confidence in its ability to solve the world’s problems. I have no reason for such confidence after centuries of political failures. The general tenor of the NT is that conditions are not going to get better (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). This makes the Christian’s responsibility to the Great Commission all the more urgent.
Does all this mean that believers adopt a do-nothing approach? No! The point is that we can do more through prayer than we ever could through the ballot. We hold the balance of power through prayer. We can affect the destiny of nations through prayer. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). The time hasn’t come for Christians to rule (1 Corinthians 4:8). Lifetime is training time for reigning time. Said William Kelly: "Never have Christians meddled with governing the world, save to His dishonor and their own shame. They are now called to suffer with Christ, by-and-by they shall reign with Him. Even He has not yet taken His great power for reigning. He sits upon His Father’s throne, as the earth rejected Christ, waiting for the word from His Father to execute judgment and sit on His own throne (Revelation 3:21)."
Even as I’m writing this, I received a news clipping which supports Kelly’s position. It says:
"Van Dyke, a born-again Christian, was a controversial figure. His political career was marked with scandal. He was nearly expelled by the Legislature in 1984 for using fraudulent campaign literature. The Public Disclosure Commission fined him $500 and the Legislature demanded an apology."
Kelly’s statement is worth pondering: “Never have Christians meddled with governing the world, save to His dishonor and their own shame.”
