DO CHRISTIANS HAVE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES?

Mark 12:17, Romans 13:1-7, I Timothy 2:1-3

What is our responsibility to civil society? In what ways and to what degree should a Christian be involved in the political sphere. As Christians living in a democratic society, as citizens, should we concern ourselves with politics or should we confine ourselves to a spiritual ministry only? If we are frustrated with ungodly leadership in our nation, what is our responsibility? Is there something we can do besides pray?

As citizens, Christians have many civic responsibilities. We are called to give service and obedience to our government, inasmuch as it does not interfere with our obedience to God. Christians have a responsibility to work within governmental structures to bring about change. We should never neglect to pray for our country and its leaders.  Having a Christian world view, being involved politically, and seeking reform are legitimate means of Christian service. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."  Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

We have another responsibility, and this is the one that sometimes brings us into controversial areas. Christian involvement in politics has been a much-debated subject at the center of Christian discourse for centuries. Many believers are taught that Christians should not get involved in the political realm because "faith and politics do not mix." The idea that the church and state should always remain separated had its foundations in the Bible. But, this concept is misinterpreted by many today. The separation of church and state is not the separation of religion and politics.

The separation of church and state just means that the church isn’t the state and the state isn’t the church. Historically that meant that the state does not rule the church nor does the church rule the state. Separation of church and state assumed a division of labor; the church has its job, and the state has its job. The church is not to maintain a standing army, and the state is not to do evangelism or to administer the sacraments. Nevertheless, they are both regarded as being under God.

Unfortunately, in today’s culture separation of church and state means separation of state and God, as if the state and the government were answerable to no one but themselves—as if the government didn’t have to respond to God. But God monitors governments; God raises them and brings them down. Every human government is accountable to God and is accountable to maintain its affairs with justice and with righteousness. When the government is no longer acting justly and no longer protecting life then it is the task of the church to be the prophetic voice, to call the state to task, and tell the state to repent and do what God commands it to do.

There is validity to the caution many Christians have voiced on this topic. Some believers entering the political arena have become so politically-focused that they have compromised teachings that are fundamental to the Christian faith. Others have made the mistake of resting all their hope on politicians and government at the expense of morality and godly living. The reality is that hope for change cannot be found in any country's ruling class, but ultimately in Jesus Christ. People of Faith are not excluded from having a voice in the public square. If that was so, then you’d have a two-class society. You’d have people of Faith who can’t be part of democracy. And then you’d have people who have no faith, who could be out there, voting and speaking on every issue.

Aristotle defined the root word for politics, the polis, as a community defined by its common understanding of and commitment to the good life. As Christians, we have a conception of the good life (Micah 6:8), and Scripture tells us our vision of the good life should be characterized by love for God and neighbor (Matt. 5:16; 22:37-38, John 13:35). The gospel is a holistic message with implications for all areas of life, including how Christians engage the political process.

It is a mistake for Christians to completely isolate themselves from the realm of politics. When the people of God do not take it upon themselves to vote or get involved in politics, they carelessly leave the fate of future generations in the hands of wicked and immoral people. Believers are citizens of heaven, but on this side of eternity, we also live in this world and therefore must be good citizens of both. 

It is common to hear Christians quip, “I’m just not that interested in politics,” or, “Politics just aren’t my thing.” These dismissive remarks are often delivered with a veneer of piousness implying that political engagement is inherently defiled, occupying an arena unfit for those serious about the gospel. However, it is not a position Christians can or should accept as congruent with Scripture.

The early church was born in the days of a dictatorial Roman empire, where the emperor was worshiped as a god. The culture around Palestine in the days of Jesus provides us with an insight. Political engagement was an important issue in Jesus’ day. How were the Jewish people, who believed that the land was theirs as a divine inheritance, supposed to cope with the realities of Roman occupation? The Jewish Christians needed to come to terms with their state of affairs, and the Romans needed to know that Christians would not give up their ultimate loyalty to God.

In some respects, seeking strictly biblical answers to some issues is difficult, mainly because we find ourselves neither in the political position of Old Testament Israel nor the New Testament Church. The system of government in Old Testament Israel was a theocracy. It was ruled by God along with the terms of a specific covenant but mediated by officials—the prophet, the priest, and the king. The United States has no such covenant with God.

Jesus himself seems to indicate a legitimate role for government insofar as we should give to Caesar his due and pay taxes (Mark 12:17). And the apostle Paul was the first Christian political thinker and activist, advising believers to get along with everyone as much as possible (Rom. 12:18), while also using his Roman citizenship to procure a better platform from which to declare the gospel (Acts 22-26). Since Jesus followed the civic laws to pay taxes, we can participate in the political system of the day and vote which is within the law for us to do. We don’t sin if we choose not to vote, but neither do we sin if we choose to vote. 

What is the role of the church in politics? The church needs to recognize that it does have a role. Many Christians struggle with the church's involvement in political issues. Yet Scripture and history support the church's place in these concerns. Daniel becomes a leader in Babylon, Amos and other prophets speak into political and social matters in Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations. Both John the Baptist and Jesus refer to the political concerns of their day. In both the Old and New Testament God's representatives spoke out against the abuse of political power and sought-just use of power. This surely, is what being "salt and light" means (Matthew 5:13-14). Hence participation in politics does not detract from spirituality.

The New Testament gives us some broad principles on how we are supposed to respond to government. For example, Romans 13 elaborates on the origin and institution of government as something that God ordains. It is not only our legal right to vote, but it is our civic duty to do so.  Since God ordains those in authority and has established the governmental authorities, God has also ordained that Christians have the right to vote and be involved in politics. We have that right and the responsibility as light as salt in a darkened world.

There is nothing in the Bible that would prohibit or prevent the Christian from running for political office. In fact, in Romans 13, Paul tells us that we are to be model citizens. Romans 12, shows us how Christians should live within the Body of Christ but, Romans 13 tells us how Christians should live within society.

A frequently raised objection against Christian engagement with politics is that anything besides explicit preaching and teaching of the Bible is a distraction from the mission of the church. However, this is a limited understanding of the kingdom of God and contrary to examples in Scripture.

The Christian worldview provides a comprehensive understanding of reality. It speaks to all areas of life, including political engagement. In fact, the Bible speaks about civil government and provides examples of faithful engagement.

As far as a Christian’s responsibility towards the government, we know from Romans 13:1-7 that we are to be subject to the governing authorities and to honor them, even when they are not honorable because it is ultimately God who has placed them in authority over us. So, as Christians, we are under obligation to God to be model citizens, subject to the governing authorities over us by obeying laws, paying taxes, etc. However, our responsibilities are first and foremost to be obedient to God. In America, a constitutional republic where individual citizens have the ability to change and influence government by voting or by being politically involved when appropriate, part of being a good citizen is voting and having whatever positive influence we can on government.