Do Christians belong in politics?

It's been a question swimming around in my head lately. Wonder what biblical passages or thoughts others might bring up.


W

The verse I have struggle with is 2 Tim. 2:4, "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer." I have taken this to me that pastor-types are to be careful and not get involved in politics. We are to preach the Word and apply it to moral issues, (Are they any issues that are truly amoral?) but we are not to get entangled in political affairs. Does this apply to all believers, or just pastor/minister types? This is most ironic for me, with a background in political science, huh?

It seems to me that verse applies to all Christians, not just those in leadership roles. The analogy of the soldier is an apt one. The soldier is called out of and made separate from the civilians because of the soldiers new purpose. Soldiers serve a Commander and don't worry anymore about the civilian life. They have to shift their focus to their military duties.

I realized at about two in the morning last night that I didn't bother to actually flesh out any of my own feelings on the subject. I mean, the bible doesn't really speak on this subject exactly. I'm sure political involvement in the Roman system (by which Christian involvement would require them to adopt the Roman dieties) probably wasn't even conceivable to them.

There are two major pitfalls that I see with Christians being involved in politics.
1) Christians in power.

When we try to legislate morality what have we done? We've made an immoral behavior illegal, but have hearts actually been changed? I guess I look at prohibition as an example. It was illegal to drink but people still found a way to do it. I can't think of a single person who has had a conversion because of a law that was passed. Isn't our Lord Jesus Christ's method about changing hearts? And isn't that most effectively done on a one to one basis? And lets not forget our history of people of faith in power. Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely and Christians have historically no exception. Crusades, the oppression of the Catholic Church, etc. etc.

2) Movement Distance

This kind of ties in to a previous point. I know that for myself I used to be a big movement person. I mean I supported the Republicans because...well it's not called the "Religious Right" movement for nothing. I believed that they were religious and right...as in correct. So of course I supported them. And I felt, on a subconscious level at the very least, that since I supported them that was all I needed to do. They won they'd advance the kingdom. I'd write checks to charities so that they would go and feed and clothe poor people. To this day I don't know what it is to personally hand food or give a coat to a homeless person. And I think that's what Jesus intended. In the passage on separation of sheep and goats he doesn't say "You gave to a charity and they fed and clothed me". So I from my experience I think when Christians try to go on a Macro level things get muddled up. Personally I get that hand written note from that orphan I supported and I get all warm and fuzzy and that's enough.....while people down the street rifle through a dumpster for food. I supported republicans and I felt that anyone who didn't was the enemy and we'd convert them to becoming a republican anyway. that whole "We're ok and they aren't" and meanwhile my non-Christian republican friends got a free pass. I wasn't worried about their souls cause they were on the "right path".

Again, this might just be all me. Lol. Fully understand that as a possibility. But I have a sneaking suspicion these things are on a larger scale.

Will wrote:

Again, this might just be all me. Lol. Fully understand that as a possibility. But I have a sneaking suspicion these things are on a larger scale.

Yeah I think its a bit simpler like you're suggesting. One of my favorite bands said once in their song "Love is a movement, love is a revolution." And they are right The macro and the micro have their place. But I think the Lord reminds us with the verse you quoted that, our worship isn't quantified/qualified by scale but more so by our heart in that movement.

Thanks for sharing! I'm sorry I let this slip by on the board for a week before checking it!