Many people find it difficult to engage in productive political discussions without escalating into personal attacks. As George Will pointed out, we have blurred the line between "I disagree with you" and "I hate you," making it harder to approach political conversations with respect. With how divisive an issue politics can be, even in the church, should Christians care about politics at all, and what should that look like?
Does God Care About Politics?
The short answer is yes! God's sovereignty stretches over all of creation, and that includes the world’s political systems. In the Bible, God is described as the ruler of all earthly kingdoms. For instance, Daniel 4:25 reminds us, "The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes." This shows that God is not distant from human affairs, including politics.
Romans 13:1–2 echoes this idea: "There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." This means that all political authorities have been appointed by God. But it’s important to understand that God rules in two distinct ways.
God’s rule in what is sometimes called the Kingdom of Creation refers to how God governs political states through natural law and providence. In Romans 2, we learn that all people, even those who do not follow Christ, can discern right from wrong through this moral law written in their hearts (Rom. 2:15). As Christians, we are called to submit to these earthly authorities, as long as their commands do not lead us into sin. We do so in recognition that to disobey these authorities is to disobey God.
God’s rule in what we might call the Kingdom of Grace refers to how God governs the church through his Word and Spirit, led by pastors, elders, and deacons. The church’s role is to foster spiritual growth and to conform believers to the image of Christ through preaching, teaching, prayer, sacraments, and church discipline.
Why It Matters
Recognizing the two ways God rules helps clarify our role in both the world and the church. We are citizens of both the Kingdom of Creation (the world) and the Kingdom of Grace (the church), but our ultimate allegiance is to God’s Kingdom of Grace. As citizens of the world, we should obey laws and pay taxes (Rom. 13:1–3), even if we disagree with them. However, if the government asks us to sin—such as denying our faith—we must refuse, as the apostles did when told to stop preaching (Acts 5:29). As citizens of God’s kingdom, we live by his Word, with spiritual leaders guiding us toward maturity. The focus here is on spiritual growth, not political power.
How Should Christians Engage in Politics?
As Christians, we are called to actively engage with political matters, especially when they involve sin, injustice, or moral failure. We are to speak the truth in love and encourage our neighbors to consider the consequences of harmful policies. However, not every political issue is a matter of sin. For example, differences in views on taxes or healthcare are not inherently sinful. Our role is not to impose a specific political solution, but to seek justice, peace, and human flourishing in our discourse. As Romans 2 reminds us, even unbelievers have an inherent sense of right and wrong, allowing us to work alongside people of differing beliefs to create beneficial policies for society.
Addressing Specific Political Issues
Some political issues, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender ideology, directly conflict with biblical teachings. In these cases, Christians must take a firm stance against policies that harm human dignity and go against God’s design. However, we must remember that God’s kingdom doesn’t advance through political victories. While it’s important and helpful for Christians as individual citizens to advocate for righteous laws, it is not the role of the church as an institution to advocate for specific legislation or policy. We must remember, first and foremost, that the true advance of God’s kingdom comes through the gospel and the repentance of sinners. The apostles focused on proclaiming Christ and building His church, not on political reform.
The church’s mission is not to transform society through political power but to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Although Christians may actively engage in politics, the primary purpose of the church as an institution is to preach the gospel, disciple believers, help people grow in faith, and enact spiritual discipline. The church is meant to be a spiritual refuge, not a political force. While politics will remain a part of our lives, our identity as citizens of God's kingdom should guide our actions, ensuring that we prioritize the gospel above all else.
