What Does the Bible Say About Involvement in Politics? | 5 Views on the Church and Politics
- Chad Lee
- Mar 15, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 16, 2024
Type of Doctrine: Tertiary
"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."
-1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
Why does it matter?
How should the church relate to the state? Christians live in countries with all types of governments. Some allow a considerable amount of freedom while others do not. Some governments seem more intent on helping their people flourish while others can be oppressive. Many are somewhere in between.
There are different views about Christian involvement in government and politics. Some believe that Christians shouldn't be involved in the state at all. Others believe that the church should be involved in the state but are not optimistic about how it will go. Still others believe that transformation of society is possible. How involved should Christians be in the government and politics?
This is likely a tertiary issue. Well-meaning believers can typically disagree on this issue and remain within the same church.
What is it?
Scripture seems to present believers as citizens who submit (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15), obey (Titus 3:1-2), and defy (Acts 5:29) the government at times. How, then, should the church relate to the state? How involved should believers be in politics? How much should we expect of the government? Should we be optimistic about politics?
The following section is adapted from Amy E. Black, ed. Five Views on the Church and Politics (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015).
These views are organized on a spectrum of involvement in politics.
Separationist - least involvement in politics
Paradoxical - slightly more involvement in politics
Prophetic - middle of the spectrum
Transformationist - more involvement in politics
Synthetic - most involvement in politics
View | What? | Who? | Author |
Separationist | Most limited involvement in politics. Baptists have argued for separation of church and state, but they still allow participation in government (Baptists are not the same thing as Anabaptists). Anabaptists, on the other hand, have a full separation (i.e., no military service, public office, taking oaths, etc.). They prefer to focus on the kingdom of God rather than influencing politics. | Anabaptist | Thomas W. Heilke |
Paradoxical | The state is a result of the fall, but it exists for the purpose of restraining evil, protecting citizens, and seeking justice. Christians can participate in government since it is God's means of governing the fallen world. The church is called to focus on the gospel, preach Scripture, and administer the sacraments. Christians should love their neighbor and pursue their vocation (i.e., their work). Some will have a vocation in the state. | Lutheran | Robert Benne |
Prophetic | This view has a mixed opinion on the role of government. Positively, the government may serve justice, seek the good of all people, and promote reform and reconciliation. Negatively, the government can use power to oppress people. Tends to view oppression as needing structural changes. Thus, this view tends to be more involved than the previous two views but less optimistic as the next two views. | Black Church | Bruce L. Fields |
Transformationist | Government is a good gift and can be an agent of transformation along with other institutions such as: schools, churches, families, businesses, and labor. Christians are called to obey the government and engage the world in every dimension. Therefore, the gospel should transform every aspect of life - including governments. Governments should promote justice and the common good, and Christians should have tempered expectations concerning what the government can and cannot do. | Reformed | James K. A. Smith |
Synthetic | This view is the most involved in government. Government is viewed through the lens of human flourishing which has implications communally and for individuals. Catholics do acknowledge that church and state should remain separate but sees them working together to achieve goals. Government has an important role but can't meet all the needs by itself. Here are seven central themes: (1) the dignity of human life, (2) the call to family, community, and participation, (3) rights and responsibilities, (4) preferential care for the poor and vulnerable, (5) the dignity of work, (6) solidarity, and (7) care for God's creation. Christians should vote, defend one's country, and pay taxes. Globally, Christians should pursue peace. | Catholic | J. Brian Benestad |
Application
A good place to start is prayer! Let's pray for our government leaders, our involvement in politics (and to what degree), and that we keep Jesus, the gospel, and his kingdom as our main focus. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul says: "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" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Where can I learn more?
Bibliography:
-Black, Amy E., ed. Five Views on the Church and Politics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015.