home > q-wall > wal-g005.html <H1 class=azure>Should Christians seek political power, or should we only focus on charity and evangelism?</H1>


This question is misleading. It brings to mind a negative image of government and politics, and it also implies that the freedom to evangelize is secure and could never be taken away. If the first part of the question is actually, "should Christians corrupt themselves with the seedy side of politics?" or "should Christians revert to the unethical, unscriptural practices of modern day 'politicians'?" the answer is, of course, no.

If, however, the question is about political involvement and participation in general, there is a different answer: Christians should seek political participation and representation as they go about their duties of evangelizing the world. Without this participation and representation, there is no assurance that the freedom to evangelize will remain secure. Can we maintain the fundamental freedoms and liberties we enjoy while standing apart from the political process? The political and social trends of the last generation should offer clear warnings that freedom and liberty require diligent care and attention -- especially by the Christian community.

There are numerous perspectives on why Christians should be involved in the political process: duty, responsibility, natural leadership, love of our brothers and sisters, a basic compassion for mankind, etc. One perspective that too often goes unnoticed is the concept of submission to government. Submission to our governing structures requires participation.

As Paul wrote to the Romans: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1 NIV). The first seven verses of this chapter provided a fundamental blueprint for the relationship between the Christians in Rome and the existing governing authority -- the power of Rome. The Roman Christians exercised no political power in the secular order of things; participation was extremely limited.

As Christians today, we look back upon Paul's letter, and other portions of Scripture (Mark 12, I Timothy 2:1-3, Acts 5, etc.) to determine our own relationship to government.

Americans enjoy certain rights and liberties that would seem foreign to early Christians. Therefore, trusting that God offers Biblical provision for our modern situation, we apply the principles He has given. As we read in Romans, one of those principles is submission to governing authority.

In the American governing system, submission demands participation. Why, you may ask? Whether they like it or not, American citizens are participants in the American governing structure. No one is exempt from this participation. Citizens are assessed taxes; they are counted in the Census; they are in government computer systems at all levels; they send their children to government-run schools; they are, in one way or another, participants in the government.

Working from the premise that we are all participants, political involvement is not a matter of seeking "power." It is a matter of being fairly represented as we participate in government. As we participate, we have the opportunity of voting for our elected officials and of ensuring adequate choices as we vote. If we truly believe our government was divinely ordained and instituted, this luxury and opportunity should be enjoyed and exercised.

What does it mean to "participate?" At a minimum, it means voting. Voting implies a familiarity with those individuals on the ballot. And this familiarity is only appreciated by understanding the issues of our day. Thus, participation should drive one to an awareness of political issues. This would include social issues, economic issues, international issues, etc. Christians should rank among the most politically informed and astute people in America.

Indeed, during the Founding Era, that was the case. The pulpits were one of the primary sources for information. Education was guided by a Christian perspective. Churches were at the center of the political community, not on the periphery. Christians, of all types, exercised political and social leadership. We would do well to look back upon these earlier days, reflecting upon the role Christians assumed in creating our American form of government. Is it not ironic that we question the political involvement of Christians in a system predominately established by Christians?



<H2 class=azureboxtitle>Recommended for further reading</H2>

• The truth about "Separation of Church and State" - When did the government pass this law and where can it be found? Answer
• What is the legal and moral role of the Bible and Christianity in the U.S.A.? Should God be separated from American government? Answer
• How important is it to be "Politically Correct?" Answer
• What is legally permissible for students in America's public schools? Answer
• Is the religion of Secular Humanism being taught in public school classrooms? Answer
• Where should Christians draw the line in trying to make the U.S. a Christian nation? Answer
• David W. Barton, Original Intent: The Courts, The Constitution, and Religion (Wallbuilder Press, 1996).

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Author: Bill Suggs of WallBuilders. Provided by Eden Communications.


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Great topic. Timely.

Great Article Al... and I pray you get lots of votes.. it really is very timely, you're right Eli!

i already shared my concerns in a topic set up by here am i i said no christians should not vote If you go over the new testament and take a close look at jesus life and what he taught his dicsiples you wil see that they did not get involved in the politics of this world even though jesus payed tax and so did the disciples and so did the apostle but you never saw jesus or his disciples standing at picket lines airing their concerns with the people in the villages they found them selves in

i am going to ask my local representative to take me of the electrol roll list on the 18th of october it was our turn in Australia to vote in the state ellections it was mainly set up for the candidates in our citys acting and new ones wanting to represent us

i have been strugling with this for some time and on the 18th of october 2008 at 11am i made the choice not to and stayed home i sort of voted i voted in silence

i am now weighting for a letter to be sent to me i know i wil have to explaine why i did not vote in the state ellections and i wil not be voting in our fedral ellections either when its time to vote for a new prime minister

hear in Australia you get given one warning then you are fined its $50 dollars

i am not even a pro life supporter i will not support the pro life movement for my reasons i do not support christians who support fanatics who have caused harm to the staff members who work in these abortion clinicks i have read up on cases were bombs have also been planted near abortion clinicks this is in humane

you could air out your concerns with out supporting these fools i know there are christians who support thes guys


if you can show me in the new testament only where Jesus and the disciples were involved in politics i wil look at what you leave but as a christian i will not be moved or wil i have you forcing me to see it your way


this is the verse i have highlighted where it shows me that Jesus payed tax




Matthew 17 English standard version


24 When they came to Capernaum the Collectors of the two drachma tax went up to peter and said Does your teacher not pay his tax ?

25 He said yes And when he came into the house Jesus spoke to him first saying What do you think simon ? from who do kings of the earth take toll or tax ? from their sons or from others ?

26 And when he said from others Jesus said to him Then the sons are free

27 However not to give offence to them Go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel Take thaT and give it to them for me and for yourself


but as far as voting goes i wil stick to the choice i have made i wil do the right thing and pay my tax i did not decide on the 18th of october 2008 its been something i have been strugling with for some time

i have given this over to god and i am feeling peace full


what i hate is the way our polaticans lie and i hate the way our new candidates who want to represent us make pathetic statements like we really care when they should be saying we want your vote

i dont like what i have seen when it comes to name slinging and finding out dirt on the new goverment wanting to run for prime minister

the polaticians in Australia never really hit the streets and talk to the real people they only focus on the rich people those who support them who give out big donations get the chance to meet and greet with the new goverment wanting the top Job

when you stand in line wanting to just vote and get home you get lumped with pamphlets only having the pamphlets the diffrent groups give you like the Greens the librals the labour party one nation party family first

when ever you plan a holiday or are wanting to visit family you have to check when the next ellection is going to be held when john howards party decided to have the fedral ellection it was right before i was about to head off to the philippines john howard was holding back and i was getting mad saying come on just give us the date if he said jan 28th 2007 i would have taken off and not bothered staying in the country weighting for john howard to decide the libral party lost and the labor party one

its up to the christian if they decide to vote or not to vote no one has a right to force their views on a christian who is deciding whether they should vote


i have a letter typed up telling my local representative why i decided not to vote and why i am wanting my name taken of the list to where i dont vote in state and fedral ellections and really i dont care what the goverment has to say its my choice not to vote not their right to force me to vote





Damo

Let the worldly vote for the worldly.

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John

Good Post!

Thank God he voted for us and not against us!



Brother Adullam!

YEs! You nailed it my friend!

Daniel and Joseph were both men of God and great governmental leaders, second in command to only kings themselves. Esther was a godly woman and wife of a powerful king. Debra and other judges ruled Israel with wisdom and in a godly manner.

It's very much Scriptural.

No man or system of man can prevent the gospel from being preached....history should have proven this. In fact, the more the Church was persecuted that more the gospel spread....so in that sense persecution or a law against evangelizing could be a good thing.

If you notice with all those man and woman they did not seek to make the system God's system....they never used their position to impose on the king or his subjects, but rather they were a living example or light to anyone who might want to give up serving false gods and serve the true God. Unfortunately, a lot of those who claim to be Christian /children of God set very poor examples but foolishly believe that telling people that they must repent will be more effective.

If it weren't for the righteous in this world, the whole thing might have been destroyed like Sodom and Gomorah by now.

There is a great book by Leonard Ravenhill called Sodom Had No Bible. It is about how America has had the Bible preached to her since the beginning, and yet there is increasing sin all the time. If God destroyed Sodom for their sin and they had not Bible, what will happen to America?

What you said is quite true.