Engaging politics is about obeying instruction to bring all thoughts obedient to Christ and discipling nations. Should Christians engage in politics, yes! To not do so would be a sin of omission. How can one pray for their leaders if not engaged? How can one be ready to serve if not engaged? How does one overcome evil with good if not engaged? How does one impart grace if not engaged? Here are some biblical guides to help you engage politics:

The Good Life

Paul commands in 1 Timothy to pray even for kings and those in authority. The reason for his prayer is that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. Right after that Paul gets into the Gospel. This gives us a few elements of political engagement: First, we are to actively pray towards a specific end. Second, the good life is defined focused on tranquility and godly dignity. Prayer and engagement is not for politics stake but a way of life. Third, our politics needs the Gospel too! Politics is downstream of religion.

Punish evil and promote good

Both Paul and Peter point to the ordained role of government is to punish evil and promote good. It is for this reason the government bears the sword. Government is to follow just laws. Both categories should be viewed with a biblical lens, not ours or a political parties viewpoint. Both the prophets of the Old Testament and Revelation in the New Testament demonstrate God judging nations based on blood lust, immorality, deception, dishonest gains, burdening people, calling good evil and evil good, and tyranny… to name a few. For good there is the consistency of the law, exemplified in both citizen and foreigner respecting one law, cautions against undue militarism or taxation. Blind justice and not holding one to account for their parent’s sins. Property rights and respecting the boundaries and property of one’s neighbor.

Local as primary, not national

Jeremiah discusses the importance of working for the benefit of one’s city as its prosperity and wellbeing is yours. Scripture is explicit on loving your neighbor. In the New Testament, especially given the church multiplication efforts, local concerns trump national complexities. As we need to be ready to obey (serve), as Paul tells Titus, our local community should be the primary concern. If you are concerned about a color challenged house vs your own city council, you are likely focused on the wrong thing.

Virtue Signaling or Overcoming Evil

When one says politics one snaps to political parties and national elections, possibly state wide. Is one a whatever party or independent? Too often the discourse is on genuflecting to a party platform rather than biblical discourse. Depending on type of church, the virtue signaling is what is consistent with a party. Such needs to be repented of for three reasons. First, as Christians we should be more concerned with truth than party. Both parties have significant issues, as do independents. Second, the Scriptures are not indifferent to political actions taken by a country. As ambassadors of Christ, we should promote biblical ideas and not party sentiment. Third, we are instructed to overcome evil with good. Disengagement from the political sphere enables evil. What good have you done for your city?

You cannot be X party and Christian…

The political parties in America have issues concerning biblical standards and their platforms. This is why we need to live as wise not as unwise, redeeming the time for the days are evil. There are party platforms that are more or less consistent with Scripture. For example, collectivism/critical theory is antithetical to the Gospel. Given the millions killed off by such thinking, a party that promotes and claims it is demonic. Such thinking is what the Bible calls coveting and bitterness, things we are to put off. Militarism is also something the Bible speaks against. Of note, Daniel describes empires in two fashions: From man’s perspective they are beautiful statues. From God’s perspective they are devouring beasts. Militarism is inherent to empire building. Party affiliation should be held loosely, engagement done wisely, discussion done biblically. As ambassadors we should promote life, liberty, and property.

Pragmatic concerns

• First, pray actively and specifically. Why? The Bible says so.
• Second, for freedom’s sake Christ set us free. A focus on freedom, peace, tranquility is the good life ideal. Things such as socialism are the antithesis of that ideal. Why? We should live a quiet and peaceable life, socialism kills and leaves people destitute.
• Third, does it redefine reality? If one calls evil good and good evil, such should be opposed. Why? Because the central concept of political engagement for the Christian is overcoming evil with good. Organic life as God designed is the nuclear family. Those who seek to redefine tend to be the real tyrants.
• Fourth, flip focus and thinking. Move from national priority to local priority. Why? You can have a missional impact more at home than nationally. Who can you more likely have a cup of coffee with, your councilmen or the president?
• Fifth, vote. Voting is choosing and effecting outcome. It is not a sacrament. Disengagement creates outcomes. Focus on working towards something than a perfect ideal. Why? The king is the rule of law for our country. The concept is we the people in order to make a more perfect union. Not perfect, but better than the rest or before. We progress to the ideal. Disengagement does not align with the patter seen in Scripture.