In what ways do you believe Christians and politics should interact? How should faith and politics interface with each other? How do they interface?
I grew up sitting around campfires and kitchen tables talking about politics and religion with my family–and, of course, a myriad of other things. My uncle is one of those amazing story tellers and all of those conversations and stories prepared me well for when I became a teacher and had to navigate the elaborate maze of exploring differing ideas on important subjects.
I have loved the imagery of a Christian swordfish for a while; an image which connects us back to the simple outline of a fish (ichthýs) that the early christians used, but takes it a step further.
Xifias Gladius has come to represent to me the courage to proclaim the truth within a culture–any culture. I have combined the Greek word Xifias (swordfish) with the Latin word Gladius (sword) because the word of God is a two-edged sword which is able to discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts, and the fish represents the Christian faith. Therefore, the fish and the sword does not stand for bloodshed, but for truth wielded to heal.
Salt and Light
I have taught for private Christian schools for nearly thirty years, and one of the things I have discovered is how closely integrated our beliefs are with politics. We would like to think they are unrelated, or that, as Christians, we can rise above such a vile industry as politics. Some people even believe that faith and politics should never intermix, but if we recognize that political decision-making is value related, then we can see how important it is for Christian values to also have a voice. Should only atheists influence policy, or any one, single belief system? Indeed, Christians may have the most important voice there is in the midst of all the rest, since we are commanded to be salt and light in the world.
You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
Our values are salt and light.
Living and Active
Another point to consider is that whether anyone believes in Jesus or not, He is still everyone’s King. We don’t make him our king by believing in him, nor do we dethrone him by non-belief. He isn’t a Santa Claus-type fairy tale who goes out of existence or loses power simply because we don’t believe in him or have enough Christmas spirit (although it does make for a fun movie plot). Jesus is the king of the world–of the universe for that matter.
But Jesus is also the Word of God. Some people think that means the Bible–the physical book we can take off our bookshelves and read–is the word of God. But the phrase “Word of God” is explained in Hebrews 4:12-13:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13
Therefore, since the Word of God is Jesus Himself, and is whom we will give an account, shouldn’t the Truth have an influence on the way we govern ourselves? Shouldn’t it influence the way we think about foreign policy, ethics, money management, and justice? Jesus is the ultimate King after all, and he has something to say about all of these things.
But Should Christians be Political?
What I hope to accomplish on this blog–this is the first post of many, I hope–is to bring to bear the Word of God onto the political issues of our day. It may seem outrageous to say, but politics is not a thing that any of us can avoid. If you are a citizen of a country–any country–you are involved in politics. Politics influences you, and you influence politics, either for good or for ill.
That is why if you believe that Jesus is the king of kings, and that his kingdom transcends this world, you are making a political statement. You are trapped. We are political and religious creatures, and in a country that allows the average citizen to be involved in politics, you are involved even if you withdraw. If not your values, then whose?
How to Handle Tough Conversations
If we as Christians are going to engage in political conversations, though, we need to remember to behave christianly. So, take a deep breath and allow your soul to find peace in the struggle. My mom hated talking about politics and so I understand that politics can be uncomfortable. Some people can be real jerks (even if they aren’t trying to be), and conversations can escalate into shouting matches very quickly. So here are a few guidelines to keep in mind during encounters you may have with people you align with or not.
- Everybody isn’t completely wrong–including you.
- Everybody isn’t completely right–including me.
- It’s okay to be confident in what you believe. The truth is knowable.
- It’s okay to admit when you are wrong. It is the only way we can correct mistakes and find the truth.
- Sometimes no compromise is possible. One idea must prevail over the other.
- Take a breath. If you find your temperature rising, it’s okay to not say anything, wait, and carefully consider your response.
- Pursue understanding. It is a very good idea to make sure you clearly understand what the other person has said. What is their point and can you restate it as if you believed it? You don’t have to believe it, but you do need to understand it if you want to refute it.
- We are made in the image of God. Even if we don’t agree that Jesus is the way the truth, and the life, we can still talk about common values, such as despising murder and lying under oath, and work together for the common good. C. S. Lewis noted in his book, The Abolition of Man, that most religions and belief systems have a common sense of morality called Natural Law.
Naturally Political
In conclusion, since we are naturally political creatures whether we want to be or not, I suppose I should give a verse that shows us how we interface with the political structure of any society:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
I Timothy 2:1-2
We are to pray for our leaders because the decisions they make have an influence on our lives. The values they hold and the policies they construct are integral to the life of the nation and the individual. The Roman government actively persecuted Christians, and yet Paul saw the solution in prayer. Does that mean we shouldn’t participate in shaping government policy except through prayer? What do you think?
In Conclusion
Paul’s life spanned the reigns of the first five emperors of Rome, Augustus to Nero, and he was a Roman citizen. He taught that government leaders are ministers of God (Romans 13), and he didn’t say they had to be Christians before he would pray for them or obey them. But obviously, since Rome executed him, he never thought obedience to the government would include abandoning the truth of the Gospel of Christ. And so, if he commanded us to pray for the likes of Caligula and Nero, what excuse do we have?
What other ways do you think Christians and politics should interface? Should we run for office? Any other ways come to mind?
Let me know in the comments below!
Xifias Gladius 
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