Christians and Political Culture

As the election cycle begins to pick up momentum, Christians are once again discussing and pondering the legitimacy and extent of their involvement in the politics of America.

As with so much else, there are two extremes. One the one side, there are those Christians who complain and whine that our "Christian" country is being "taken away" by the secularists. These men and women stubbornly try to get America to "return" to its Christianity--to the "good ole days"! John Piper reminds us that "American culture does not belong to Christians, neither in reality nor in Biblical theology. It never has. The present tailspin toward Sodom is not a fall from Christian ownership. “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). It has since the fall, and it will till Christ comes in open triumph." I think what John is advocating here is a call for us to remember that America never belonged to Christians. Yes, it was of course heavily influenced by theistic thinking---few doubt that. But, if we take Scripture seriously, America--just like every other nation on earth--has always been in control of the Evil One.

For many Christians in the United States, there is a belief that we are (or, were) a "Christian" country. This is utter nonsense, and is little more than unthinking patriotism laced with spiritual language. We have always been a sinful country, and the Evil One always had unbridled control and influence over this nation---at every stage of its establishment (even its birth). This is not to downplay the tremendous, and faithful, Christian witness of many of our founders. The point here isn't who influenced early American, but who ultimately controlled it. It was never controlled by a deep commitment to bringing honor and glory to Jesus Christ.

One the other extreme are Christians who "check their spirituality at the door", so to speak. While they may be faithful Christians in their private lives, they vocally maintain that our faith has no place in the public sphere. Some believe this because of their eschatological pessimism. That is, they believe it is a losing battle anyway, so why make the effort? Others believe this because they bought into the atheist view that religion has no place in the public sphere.

For the first part of this second group, I would remind them of Scripture's call for Christians to be the salt of the earth. While the meat may ultimately rot anyway, we are still salt---and we therefore have a duty to season and influence this nation as long as we have breath. To remove ourselves from the political process is tantamount to abandoning the Gospel!

For the second part of the above group, I would suggest that this is no Christianity at all. Christ is Lord of every part of us, or he is Lord of no part of us. I am still a Christian, whether in a public setting or a private setting. While a public setting may offer more constraints, it shouldn't change my basic personhood. I cannot cease to be Christian in public any more than I can cease to be male.

I live in a fairly small town, and a few months ago was elected to the local school board of education. After the election, a community leader (who I promised never to name), grabbed me for breakfast. He expressed concern that a pastor was elected to the board, and made it very to me that he voted against me. Furthermore, he wanted a commitment from me that I would not allow my Christianity to influence my decisions [see note 1].

Odd.

I certainly committed to never using this position to evangelize or to preach a sermon. Yet I refused his request, for to refuse to allow Christianity to influence my decisions means I would be incapable of making any decisions at all. I cannot remove my faith as if it were a pair of jeans. More importantly, I reminded him that in his role within the community he seemed to have no problem allowing his non-faith position entrance into the decision process.

I have no delusions. My presence in politics will not turn Indian River into a Christian "light on a hill" in Northern Michigan. Frankly, that is not my goal. My goal for serving was simply to be a good citizen. Not a pastor. Not a theologian. Not even a professional counselor (the other "hat" I wear). Simply a good citizen, who makes decisions that are in the best interests of this local community. Yet, I happen to be a good citizen who recognizes the reality of a higher political authority, namely Jesus Christ. I now have the solemn duty to make decisions that are good for my community, and decisions of which my Lord would be proud. My faith doesn't make me do less for my community; instead, it calls me to do more.

And so our Lord asks of us all.


[Note 1: I should also mention that I received much support from many leaders within this community. It is a wonderful town, and a great place to raise a family].