How involved should the church be in politics?
We must show respect for our political leaders and work together with them in caring for our society.
There is no easy answer to this question.
Perhaps the most straightforward reply is that it depends.
It depends mostly on what you mean by the church’s involvement.
When we speak of the “church,” if we are thinking of each individual believer bearing witness to God’s truth in public debates on critical political and moral issues,
then it seems clear that the level of involvement should be high, as God’s people should give … to God what is God’s (Mt 22:21).
This often takes the form of checking the state’s messianic ambition.
But if we understand church involvement in politics to be formal representatives of a denomination taking official stances on political issues,
then the line becomes quite a bit more obscured for two important reasons.
First, Scripture teaches that we are to maintain a clear conscience toward God (1Pe 3:21),
which implies that each individual believer is responsible for his or her actions, political affiliations, and beliefs.
Aside from the obvious issue in some country of a church’s tax-exempt status being jeopardized by engaging in party politics,
the more important matter relates to the binding of consciences that can take place when church officials take positions on behalf of their members.
Second, a great many stances on political issues fall into the category of prudential judgment,
and this is an area in which God’s people are to free to lovingly disagree while they give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (Mt 22:21).
The question is not how much political involvement is appropriate, but which kind of political involvement is appropriate.
So how involved should Christians become in the politics of our nation and culture?
There is no set answer, but we are to observe at least two principles.
First, we must show respect for our political leaders (Ro 13:1–7) and work together with them in caring for our society.
Second, we must remind the state to not play God and resist any messianic ambitions that politicians announce (Ac 5:29).
How involved should the church be in politics?
Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Read also: Why Don’t Good People Get Justice? – Diademng (thediademng.org)
