For so much of our history as a nation, politics and faith have sat comfortably side-by-side. And by faith, I mean a non-sectarian faith grounded chiefly in the Judeo-Christian belief in God. We regularly noted the separation between church and state, but for most of our history, we understood that as Thomas Jefferson intended when he first referred to it in 1802. It wasn’t a concern about the church’s influence on the state, but rather the state’s influence and control over the church.
In recent decades (and with increasing frequency), culture wants to define that wall of separation as a wall to prevent undue influence of the church. In other words, the popular notion is that faith should have no voice or opinion when it comes to political matters. Culture says that faith is a private, personal thing, and there is an ever-increasing desire for that faith to remain wholly private.
But can believers really separate their faith from their politics? Faith—a real, genuine, life-transforming faith in Christ—doesn’t just speak to one’s private prayer life. It speaks into and transforms every aspect of life—including politics.
It’s no surprise to anyone that most evangelical Christians are conservative in their politics. Frankly, I’m one to keep my politics private and my faith public. But before I proceed, I’ll let you know I’m quite conservative. What bothers me is how many Christians equate their conservative views with the Christian faith. They can’t fathom why any Christian would vote as a Democrat. (I know quite a few godly people who love Jesus like I do and they vote Democrat.) Too many evangelical Christians put their politics on par with their faith. It is a small step to make their political views their religion.
This applies to both Republicans and Democrats. Both sides of the political aisle have made politics their religion. Their political views speak more into how they live their lives than God’s Word does.
The majority of Americans (81 percent) still believe in God, but only 47 percent belong to a church, synagogue, or mosque. [Source] I have yet to meet a committed Christian who was not involved in a church; therefore, when I see a 34 percent gap between belief and church involvement, I see the people both Isaiah and Jesus spoke about.
“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matt. 15:8).
Jim Denison was spot on when he said, “Many Americans have separated God from religion and then replaced religion with politics.” [Source]
Christian, let’s not shy away from stepping into the political conversation. But study God’s Word carefully and ensure that Scripture is dictating your political views rather than your political views telling you how to interpret the Bible.
And please—I beg you with every part of my being—please step into the political arena with love and grace! Do you know anyone who changed their opinion because someone was ranting on Facebook? I didn’t think so.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person” (Col. 4:6).
- Be grounded in God’s Word.
- Speak with grace.
- Be known for your love for Christ more than your passion for politics.
That’s all I ask.
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Happy birthday, America! Let’s celebrate 247 years of independence.
Lynn Pryor 