Dr. Paul R. Shockley

The answer to this question is “yes.” Why? As Christians we are not merely commissioned to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), but to also live out the gospel in every area of our lives (Mark 8:34-36; Romans 12:1-2).  But we are not merely called to live out the gospel in every area of our lives, we are also called to be faithful stewards of all that God has given to us (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 9:1).

Like Joseph and Daniel who were planted within political systems in foreign governments, we are “pilgrims” (1 Peter) commanded to be “salt and light,” pointing people to the liberating and satisfying truth in Jesus Christ by the decisions we make, the values we promote, and the activities we pursue (Matthew 5-7). Against the backdrop of a society(s) where corruption, evil, and false pleasures wreak havoc upon the uninformed and the misinformed, any God-given opportunity that we take to address the ills that are captivating young minds, stripping the young and the old of their inherent values, and maligning our freedoms, reflects good stewardship of all the blessings we have received from God.  Similarly to Joseph’s story, we can also offer protection for those who remain in spiritual darkness.  This can only result from intimately knowing God’s Word and inculcating it into our very identity whereby biblical truth becomes our habituated way of seeing and doing.

Thus, whatever venue is open to us, whether local, state, or federal, we have the opportunity and the standard to call out acts of injustice, serve the needy, comfort the hurting, and stand for what we know is right, true, and trustworthy (Philippians 4:8).  In fact, when we vote, or when we talk about candidates or those who are in office, or when we financially support certain causes, all is to be done to the glory of God. The question we need to ask with every decision is, “Will this _________ [activity, cause, idea, plan, or vote] demonstrate my utmost love to God?” See, loving God His way involves knowing, practicing, and defending truth, serving Him on His terms and not our own.

Being involved in politics in a God-honoring way, whether it is by casting a vote or serving the community might demand that we spend hours researching an issue or a candidate’s voting record.   Our efforts are not in vain since good ideas have good consequences and bad ideas have bad consequences.  Stated differently, forces and influences are at work that are worth our attention as God’s representatives (Genesis 1:26-27). If Christians were to educate themselves and consistently apply what the Bible teaches, I suspect the political landscape might be a different scene

In his classic work, How Should We Then Live, Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer examined the collapse of civilizations. While ideas generated from man seemed to offer hope, they delivered alienation, oppression, and violence.  Thus, he concluded that only God’s Word offers a foundation strong enough to address to the sinfulness of humanity and generate values that can bring about what is truly in our best interests.  The backdrop of civilizations not rooted in God’s emancipating truth is a counterfeit system that seeks to capture, corrupt, and destroy all that is good, noble, and true. Thus, with all the evil that seek to prey on the weak and tempt the strong in the most subtle and creative ways, it behooves us to not only know what we as Christians believe, but why we believe what we believe.

Some Christians may argue that since we know that the world will deteriorate until Christ’s return at His Second Coming (Revelation 19 & 20), we should only share the gospel of Jesus Christ as expressed in the question, “Why polish the brass if the ship is sinking?”  While receiving Jesus Christ as one’s Savior is the means by which we receive eternal life, Christians are called to be faithful in everything and engage the world’s affairs on every level.   We have to be good parents, good neighbors, good citizens, and good leaders.  Israel was called to be light unto its pagan neighbors to testify of God’s goodness; the church is called to be a light on the hill. Who knows, perhaps we can reach more for Christ through politics rather than in spite of them.

As a result of our willing involvement, we will find ourselves being used by God in the most amazing ways to protect the innocent, offer hope to those have none, and bring His healing touch of truth to a culture that is wounded and blinded by evil.