I got an interesting email from one of our readers a few days ago that I wanted to throw out for discussion. Stan, who works through his own site at Atheism-Analyzed posed the question of how we as Kingdom Citizens are to engage in the political systems that we live in here on this side of eternity. I’ll paste his question below, give a couple of responses myself, and then turn it over to you to think about and then respond back to if you like. Here you go . . .
“Jesus did not take any action (that I am aware of) toward changing local political structures, as onerous as they were in his day. So what is the responsibility of Christian residents of the Kingdom, when the American part of the kingdom is in danger of becoming totally controlled by non-Christians, in fact antagonists of Christianity? Are we to fight it, girded with biblical armor, as “Christian Soldiers”? Or are we to focus totally on evangelizing, ignoring the political power gains of the enemies of religion, as Jesus did?”
Well Stan, you’ve asked a question that has been on the table for a long time for a lot of folks. I have even wrestled with it myself. It’s a good question and especially relevant in America where citizens have the ability to run for office if they choose to which is different for other Christ followers who live in places like Saudi Arabia. If you’re looking for some biographies of folks who have lived this, you might check out Dietrich Bonhoeffer who is one of my heroes. Bonhoeffer had to grapple with these issues while working through his faith in Nazi Germany. While I believe he was a serious and committed Christ follower, I also believe he went too far in the wrong direction by being involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
But here are a few pointers to start with:
- As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to submit to the governing authorities unless we are directly commanded to disobey God. Note: Romans 13:1-7, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-15.
- We are to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
- We are to seek God’s Kingdom first in all we do, which is really hard for patriotic Americans. (or Texans)
- We have freedom in Christ to run for office or not. We live by Faith and if our conscience compels us to directly get involved in the political system, then we must do so with the utmost of ethic.
- We must not judge fellow believers on how they chose to fall on the issue. We all answer to Christ as the judge.
- We need to understand that ultimately, only a changed human heart will last and not political systems.
Another interesting point is considering the earliest Christ followers and how they approached these things. Most of them were pacifists in relationship to millitary service. Justin Martyr, who lived between 100 and 165AD stated that “We have exchanged our swords for plowshares, our spears for farm tools.” (Dialogue with Trypho 110.3,4) Origen said about the early followers that they “do fight for him by forming our own army, an army of faith through our prayers to God.” ( Against Celsus, Celsus against the Christians, VIII. 68, 73)
On the other hand, we do see that Paul used his Roman citizenship to advance the cause of Christ in Acts 25:11.
It seems that it’s easy for some believers to fall into the trap of thinking that the Republican Party (or Democrat) holds the “keys to the kingdom” so to speak and that unocking God’s great plan on earth is all about the political process. Personally, I agree that we have a biblical mandate to respect authority and it certainly makes sense to be involved in the civic process because it is one way to actualize good things for the poor and to promote peace in society. Checking out is a cop-out in my mind. However, I ultimaltely realize that poiltics will not save a soul or transform a heart. We must put our hand to the political plow, but realize ultimately that this is not our number one duty in life. If we forget to love our neighbor as ourself and we get caught in a trap of depsing one side of the political spectrum and we breed hate from our lilps, then how is that really Christian?
Yes protecting the family and the American Revolution are pretty easy to accept, at least to rationalize as being just. And your comment about the Roman soldiers is an interesting one. And it occurs to me that the apostles carried swords, too, as the cutting off of the ear shows. Paul never seemed to fight back though, that I can remember.
There’s a lot to work with there as well Stan. I’m reminded that when the soldiers asked John The Baptist what they should do, he told them to not, “extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.” (Lk. 314) He didn’t tell them to quit the Roman Army and make sure they never shot anyone with an arrow.
For a long time I’ve simply looked at the US military as simply being an extension of the local police forces. So the question is posed, can a Christ follower be a police officer? We’ll we would say yes and we would all want dedicated and ethical police looking out for us. Yes, I know it can be a bit trickier when it comes to wars and we can divide over which is a just one and which is not. I know that if any dude was coming after my wife and kids, I’d go after them. But in a war, I just might lean toward being a medic. Well maybe not, as I’m getting older, my stomach doesn’t take blood like it used to. I think a big thing again about living in the real Kingdom of Heaven is each one of us living out our personal calling and encouraging those with a different one.
What about the American Revolution? Lot of Godly men involved there. But it was a “revolt” which apparently God seemed to bless.
How involved in the earthly kingdom should we become, biblically speaking? Was WWII a “good war”, which justified the killing of an enemy? What would justify the taking of a life?
In the film “Saving Private Ryan” the character played by Tom Hanks was presented with a dilemma. While hiding in a bell tower, the soldier was presented with a view of a NAZI entourage with Adolph Hitler in full view and vulnerable to an easy shot. The soldier, ever obedient to his orders, did not take the shot, the war did not end, and many more lost their lives.
What would our marching orders be? Can justifications for violence be arrived at biblically? It is one thing to participate in a rational representative government; it is another to participate in the violent overthrow of a ruthless, tyrannical government: can it be justified? If not why? If so, how?
I agree that Steve has provided a pretty comprehensive response and I do not have much to add except the thought that God has indeed commanded us to be good citizens under the authority that is put over us.
However, just as a good Christian is active and growing, so should be our political involvement. We act in all ways in love, but do feel free to act. Too many Christians feel that political involvement is not to be a part of their lives and they unfortunately get the government they get because they chose not to get their hands dirty in politics.
On the other hand, we realize that the government is not our savior although this administration would like to be. Only Jesus can fill that role. So while we await his kingdom in heaven, we need to be involved in his kingdom here on earth.