Type of Doctrine: Secondary or Tertiary
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
-Romans 13:1 ESV
Why Does It Matter?
How should Christians in America vote? Republican? Democrat? Third party? Or, should they refrain from voting? This article will cover the main views on politics and the Bible.
A Christian's involvement in politics is typically viewed as a secondary or tertiary issue. For some it may affect the church one joins; for others it is a tertiary issue. In other words, Christians may lovingly disagree and remain within the same church.
What Is It?
In the United States of America, citizens may vote for the candidate of their choice. What should Christians do? This article will discuss a few of the options. But first let’s consider Scripture.
In the Old Testament, the form of government was typically a theocracy (i.e., God was considered the ruler). In the New Testament, the early church was under Roman rule—which was not precisely the same form of government as Americans live under now. Therefore, Scripture does not directly address the issue.
However, here are some relevant Scriptures that have implications on a Christian’s involvement with politics:
Psalm 146:3 | 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
Proverbs 21:1 | 1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
Proverbs 29:2 | 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Daniel 2:21 | 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Acts 5:27-29 | 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
1 Timothy 2:1-2 | 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Titus 3:1-2 | 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Colossians 1:13-14 | 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 13:1-7 | 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Numerous other Scriptures address the specific moral issues as well.
Main Political Groups
There are the three main political groups:
Republican | Right
Generally:
Economically conservative
Morally conservative
Libertarian | Considered a View in the Middle
Generally:
Economically conservative
Morally progressive
Democrat | Left
Generally:
Economically progressive
Morally progressive
Main Political Issues
These are some of the main issues that are debated:
Protection of Life
Marriage
The Family
Economics
The Environment
National Defense
Foreign Policy
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
The 6 Main Views on Politics and the Bible
The following chart is adapted from Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010). Grudem himself argues that the first five views are wrong (and even harmful); he takes the sixth view which is last in the chart below (17-18). (For a broader discussion on how the church relates to the state click here.)
View | Description |
Government Should Compel Religion | " . . . civil government should compel people to support or follow one particular religion" (23); this view was mostly held in the past (no major Christian group holds the view today) |
Government Should Exclude Religion | " . . . religious beliefs should never be mentioned in governmental functions or on government property and should never play a role in the decision-making process in politics or government" (29); many in secular society hold this view today |
All Government Is Evil and Demonic | "The realm of government power is the realm of Satan and his forces, and therefore all governmental use of 'power over' someone is 'worldly' and is not the way of life Jesus taught" (36); many who adhere to this view are also pacifists (i.e., against war) |
The Church Should Do Evangelism, Not Politics | "[T]he church is only called to 'preach the Gospel,' not to preach about politics" (44); many Evangelicals hold this view (e.g., Cal Thomas, John MacArthur) |
The Church Should Do Politics, Not Evangelism | The church should "just try to change the laws and the culture and should not emphasize evangelism" (53); generally Evangelicals do not hold this view; it is usually associated with the "Social Gospel movement" (53) |
Significant Christian Influence on Government | "Christians should seek to influence civil government according to God's moral standards and God's purposes for government as revealed in the Bible (when rightly understood)" (55; author's emphasis); many Christians (including Evangelicals) hold this view |
Here are two resources supporting the two most common political parties in America:
Generally supporting the Republican view:
D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues (Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook, 2008)
Note: Wayne Grudem's book also takes a conservative viewpoint; Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010).
Generally supporting the Democratic view:
Jim Wallis, God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It (New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005)
Application
Christians should consider the issues, study the Bible, pray, and respond appropriately. Remember Paul's words: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
Where Can I Learn More?
Bibliography:
-Grudem, Wayne. Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.