Why Aren't Christians Interested in Politics?
A note: I started writing about Christians who were unaware of the threat that progressive political policies present to the church – on abortion, religious liberty, marriage and transgender ideology, to nominate a few issues – a few weeks ago. I recognize there’s been a [welcome] change in the air with the election. It would seem that we have a rare opportunity to build good with a government that is not so hostile to our faith, so my piece may seem a little two weeks ago. Hopefully, it is worth thinking about though – who knows what President Trump will achieve, who knows what happens in four years? We will always need wide awake and faithful Christians. By God’s grace, we will build something glorious. Frisby
As Christians, we expect to find some level of ignorance about the spiritual landscape or the relationship between heavenly authority and earthly leaders in our heathen friends and work colleagues. But the fact is, there are plenty of people inside the body of Christ who share the pew with us – or even address us from the pulpit – who seem unaware that human authorities are not just influencing, but actively coercing the church.
Some will say that has been the case since the beginning and, of course, that is true. The church in every age has faced opposition, great and small, within and without – the devil will always try to make us abandon our faith and stop loving our neighbors, whichever comes first. If you trawl through history you will probably find a set of circumstances similar to ours.
As in certain other periods of history, the combination of the omnipresence of state power and the godlessness of our nation has given rise in our day to a state-sponsored quasi religion. As Dr Koontz said on yesterday’s podcast, you can recognize its adherents – they are the ones who cannot bear the thought of not flying a “pride” flag outside American consulates or those who tear up as they place a vote to secure abortion “rights” for their daughters. Mandates, rules, norms and promoted ideologies add up to a holistic assault on our ability to live out our faith. Some might be waiting for actual violent attack to signal that the church is being assailed, but like the frog in the pot, they are unaware that the temperature can reach boiling point pretty quickly. Violence may never come. While our enemies can keep us duped, cowed, fearful, ineffective or isolated, why would they try anything different?
So why would Christians follow politics? Podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey is fond of saying that politics matters because people matter. Politicians make policies which affect people. People matter to God, therefore politics should be something that matters to Christians. While Christians of good faith can hold different opinions on many aspects of governance, not all issues press up against our confession equally. Today, many entities will assure us they want our safety and happiness, but are actually destructive to Christian faith and dangerous to our neighbors. As LCMS president Matt Harrison recently pointed out, “some things need to be said. On issues of religious freedom (non-interference with the church’s schools and institutions), abortion, medical ethics and transgenderism, there are clear biblical positions.” When it comes to caring for our neighbor, he says, “we can’t mind our own business.”
So why don’t Christians engage with politics? Here are some reasons:
Fear. Being unwilling to face reprisals, ostracization or looking silly. This person may need encouragement that Jesus has their back and He never lets the righteous fall. Or he may need a straight up challenge to his idolatry – why do we fear death? Why do we fear men who can kill the body but never harm the soul?
It’s hard to know what to do or they are overwhelmed. Have compassion for Christians who want to engage faithfully, but just don’t know where to begin. They can start with prayer. They can start by steeping their lives in the Word more and more. Talent, interest and location may provide a clue about where to start. “What’s in your hand” and how could it be used for good? Jesus can give wisdom and passion to know where to focus our energies.
They feel unequipped. This is similar person to the overwhelmed; someone who knows problems exist but feels they don’t have the skills to engage. Brushing up on history or apologetics may help him, or even stories of the martyred saints to give courage. Most importantly getting into the Word is a great place to start. Recruit some help (your pastor, other men?), find one issue and make a plan to take it on. Is it life? Is it forming young men in the faith? Is it removing filth from your city library? Articulating a goal may point to the steps you need to get there.
They don’t believe “it” can happen here. Anyone who is wide awake will need to have patience for this one. Not everyone will be able to travel the path you have. We all saw how churches were shut during the pandemic. We have seen how the state punished pro-life activists. Across the pond, we see people getting arrested for praying and Christian teachers losing their job for refusing to use “preferred pronouns” in what once were Christian nations. What woke you up? Sharing those stories (or maybe even an edition of Mad☧Mondays?) may do the trick, but the Spirit’s discernment will help to know when to direct your energy elsewhere.
They believe (or hope) someone else will do it. This may be someone who needs encouragement because he trembles or is fearful. But it may be someone who is shirking his responsibility to the neighbors right in front of them.
They believe political engagement is grubby and worldly work. There certainly is some wisdom in leaving political affiliations in the narthex – we are all one in Christ! There is certainly something to admire about someone who wishes just to focus on “things of God”. But in our age, there is a subtle blending of morality and power which makes it hard to disentangle our Christian priorities from the world’s. “Abortion? Oh I don’t like talking politics, pastor! Just preach the Word!” Seeking the welfare of the city, as Jeremiah says is both salutary and comforting work as we wait for His appearing.
They are unaware. It is fair to say that some folks may never change. The strongest evidence, the most faithful witness, may not wake people up. If there is no chance of getting a fair hearing, if the person is hostile, then leave it be and take it to Jesus in prayer. Some Christians see the same things you do and go back to their lives. But if there is an issue they care about, it is likely that the state is trying to interfere with their ability to do pursue it! I contend that most political policies that Christians need to fight attack truth, attack love of neighbor or attack proper stewardship of the world. So, when thinking about issues close to the hearts of many Christians – from religious freedom right down to homeschooling or even nutrition – there’s a government policy for that! It may be worth asking a few pointed questions to see if they can be made aware.
We need to hold on to our love for each other, even when we disagree. It is also important that we don’t give up meeting together, not only at divine service but also to be in each other’s lives. Connected and organized Christians are more likely to make real change and stand together in the day of trouble. Perhaps you were unaware that someone in your congregation is already doing great work that you could support? Encouraging each other with the Word of God is paramount, our ability to make a case for the hope we have is key.
Dr Koontz points out that the mission of the church to produce converts to Jesus is also the means of its preservation: Christianity has thrived in nations where leaders understand that Jesus has authority over them. At its worst, the state is a beast out of St John’s revelation, contending against Christ for his authority and punishing Christians for their allegiance to Him. Christians may be hesitant to “impose” their religion on others, but the devil has no such qualms about his plans. Jenny who is one of our readers said it well: “Polite & programmed Christians may believe in the divide between Jerusalem and Athens, but the pagans never have had a division between politics and their religion of the occult.”
All this said, let the peace of God reign in your heart. Kingdoms will rise and fall, but we are in Him and He in us! His purposes are going forward without a hitch, so while you work your own salvation out with fear and trembling, encouraging each other in love, we can rest in the knowledge that no good work is meaningless and some day, Jesus will return in glory, his reward with Him.