There is, understandably, lots of conversations about politics happening right now. At work, around the dinner table, at gatherings and parties, online, and in the news. But what about in the church? Should political conversations within the church be any different? How should church leadership speak into political conversations, or should they?
Every church is having to consider this, with some churches electing (see what I did there?) to be more engaged in political conversations, perhaps encouraging their members to vote for specific candidates, and other churches being less vocal.
I wanted to share some convictions on the matter, to explain how we approach political conversations and issues, and why. I’ll give four principles, and then direct you to another article for further reading.
Speak to political issues when they come up in Scripture.
While our country separates church and state, it is impossible to separate Christianity and politics. Many of the issues that our various levels of government deal with—and candidates take a stance on—have been spoken of by God, in his word: the value of human life, from the point of conception; God’s creation of mankind in his image, as man and woman; caring for the poor and weak; the definition and purpose of marriage; seeking justice for those experiencing injustice; preserving the freedom to gather and worship God; even upholding values such as honesty, purity, mercy, and goodness.
Of course, the Bible does not speak directly to every political matter, and does not speak with the same clarity on the matters it does speak to. For example, the Bible does not tell us exactly how the US tax code should work, or how exactly to set up immigration policy. For these and other matters, we can draw wisdom from what God has revealed, but also recognize that there’s not a direct line from Scripture to a fully fleshed out policy, and believers can disagree at various points.
However, where the Bible speaks, we should speak, and it does speak clearly about many issues that are considered political. As a church, we typically preach right through books of the Bible, trusting God to both speak to us and form us through it. And no matter how controversial an issue may be politically, we are bound to proclaim what God has spoken. Because in the end, we stand before him, and not our culture or political leaders.
Be careful not to bind consciences where the Bible does not
This is a huge one for me, in part because it is so easily and often neglected, to the harm of the church. Christians are bound to God’s word, and our consciences are to be informed and convicted by God’s word. And when a Christian clearly disregards and disobeys God’s word and is unrepentant about it, there is a place to lovingly and fearfully show them their error, that they might repent and be restored to fellowship with God and with the church. Christians are to “judge” one another (those in the church) in this sense of not turning a blind eye to blatant, unrepentant, serious sin, as Paul says clearly in 1 Corinthians 5:12.
However, so many of our political disagreements do not belong in this category. Unless we are willing to say, “Because of how that person voted—or didn’t vote—they need to be called to repent, and if not, considered an unbeliever and removed from the church,” then we need to be careful not to bind people’s consciences to feel like they are in sin. I’ve had a couple people ask me if I was going to encourage the church to vote. My response has been that while I think it wise to vote, I cannot say that it’s a sin to not vote, and I want to be very careful not to lead people to feel guilty if they choose not to vote.
Of course, we can passionately try to persuade and reason with fellow believers, but we need to constantly remember that they are a blood-bought child of God, led and indwelt by the Holy Spirit just as we are, and seek to love them as Christ has loved us. God cares tremendously about the unity and love displayed within his church (John 17:20; 1 Corinthians 1:10).
Be careful not to demand others interpret the times and future in exactly the same way
One of the ways we often bind a fellow believer’s conscience is by demanding they vote a certain way because of the current state or direction of our country/state/city. Perhaps we would allow that in different times, there be more room for discernment or difference of opinion, but because of the state of things, there is only one option.
Now, I have no problem saying that the state and direction of our country concerns me in many significant ways, and political figures and decisions have much to do with this. But it’s another couple of steps to say, “You must completely agree with my interpretation and prediction, and also, must agree that there is only one faithful option.” The more of these steps of interpretation and assessment we take, the more we ought to allow room for other believers to differ. Which might mean you agree about the fundamental issues and concerns, but simply disagree on the best way to deal with them.
Seek to preserve unity in Christ, love for one another, and our witness to the world
As previously mentioned, God clearly cares greatly for unity, love and affection among his church.
Jesus prays to his Father, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
Earlier in John, Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35).
Paul writes, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). As he goes on, it is clear that this unity is in their common boast and identity in “the cross of Christ.”
Of course, unity is not the ONLY thing God cares about, and such unity is not without boundaries and limits: it is unity in Christ, as those saved by his blood, and submitting to his lordship.
But in a world where people identify and divide most vocally over politics, we need to be careful to preserve the unity among the church that Jesus says makes Him known to the world. This is not always easy; we wouldn’t have such Scriptural commands and prayers if it were.
The men’s group is currently reading a book titled Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy. Jamie Dunlop, the author, goes so far as to say, “…I’m convinced that churches are especially ripe for conflict, precisely because they should be centered on Christ alone…. It’s easy to say the church should be centered on Christ alone. Well, dear reader, living with…differences and disagreements is what it looks like.”
Again, it is not in removing ourselves from such a church, or smoothing all these differences out that makes Christ known, but in faithfully bearing with, loving and even enjoying one another, despite differences.
For more reading on this, I would recommend this article from Kevin DeYoung from a few years ago. He lists two things he does do as a pastor during election time, and three things he does not do.