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Introduction
There are many opinions on what the church’s involvement should be when it comes to
political and social issues. Some maintain that anyone who has any religious affiliation should
not have a place in government, and others would argue that government itself was founded on
religious ideals. It is vitally important to understand the biblical, theological, and historical
considerations of every topic relating to the church, and this is no exemption. An analysis of
biblical truths reveals that government does indeed have a role in the Christian life, and to what
extent can also be determined by examining the Scriptures and accepting what the Bible says
regarding this relationship.
Biblical Considerations
Throughout the Old Testament, observations can be made regarding the approved role of
God’s people and politics. God not only believed that Israel should have a place in politics, but
God commanded that people from within Israel were to be elected to government positions. It is
written, “Choose wise and discerning and experienced men … So I took the heads of your tribes,
wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you, leaders of thousands and of
hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers for your tribes” (Deuteronomy 1:13-15, New
American Standard Bible). God’s people are not to remain silent on political issues or elections,
but rather they are to insert themselves into every situation that they are called to. God’s people
are to seek justice and fight injustice done at all times. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the
rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the
afflicted and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9).
The New Testament carries the same attitude as the Old Testament regarding social
action, and Christ makes it clear that Christians are to speak on every issue regardless of
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potential retaliation. “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world. A city set on
a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:13-15). This passage speaks
primarily of the gospel, but it applies to every aspect of holiness and righteousness as defined by
God alone. Christians are not to sit quiet in their churches, but rather they are to be a beacon of
wisdom to the world.
Theological Considerations
Just as with other topics within Christianity, there is much debate over the role of the
church and political or social action. The two extremes that bookend the spectrum of positions
include a view that only pure gospel evangelism can save the world and no political involvement
should be attempted,1 and secondly, some believe the world will be positively changed primarily
through a progressive influence of Christianity into the government until one day every
government will be basing its actions on Christian ethics.2 Those who believe the church should
complete its work completely apart from government interaction could support their claims with
numerous verses. According to Jesus, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to
God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). This verse certainly does create a strong divide
between the authorities and kingdoms of God and Caesar, but it does not indicate that the two are
completely uncooperative with each other. Caesar’s stamp was on the coin while God’s was on
the heart (Jeremiah 31:33), but it is also true that all of the cosmos is under God’s authority
(Psalm 103:19). Christians are not restricted from government interaction as if it somehow is
outside of God’s purview. Those who would believe the way to change is through progressive
1 Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2010), 44.
2 Michael L. Brown, Saving a Sick America: A Prescription for Moral and Cultural Transformation
(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2017), 40-41.
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government change are right to push for political activism, but they fail to recognize that God is
the one who changes hearts, not government.3 A change in laws will not overcome a sinful
nature. A caged wolf is still a wolf. A better understanding of this complex interaction would
include a desire to honor God and make positive changes through government, but also
acknowledging that only the gospel can save and should always be the primary method of
reaching the lost.4
Historical Considerations
A predenominational church does not hold to a specific tradition, creed, or confession
other than the ones it chooses to make based on how it interprets the Bible. With this being said,
this writer’s local church has been vocal regarding social activism, but it is more passive when it
comes to political involvement or elections. While the church seemingly refuses to endorse or
persuade members towards one candidate over the other, it is clear that the pastor speaks on
important political topics and encourages members to vote for whoever they believe represents
biblical principles. Key issues including abortion, antibiblical cultural movements and fads, and
true attributes of a godly leader are discussed, and the church leaves the decision up to each
individual member’s discernment. This approach is appreciated, but there is not a biblical basis
for shying away from endorsements within the church. Much social involvement is also
encouraged; however, the efforts seem a bit unbalanced. Much time and energy is spent on
attempts to better the community by providing goods and free services to those in need, but
hardly any effort is made to fight against the wickedness in society. The church has never
3 Paul Washer, The Preeminent Christ: God’s Beautiful and Unchanging Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI:
Reformation Heritage Books, 2023), 48.
4 John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Biblical Truth
(Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 753.
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organized a public gathering outside an abortion clinic, but it organizes a food drive every week
as well as community rebuilding projects consistently.
Summary and Application
This writer believes there ought to be much social and political involvement by the
church, but the government will not be the means by which the world is saved. Although labeled
by some to be an insult towards the gospel’s power, this writer believes the path forward will be
one step forward and two steps back until the rapture of the church. The church should dedicate
its effort to collecting all of the elect5 rather than trying to save the world through the
government. Political change can and will be a great method to better the world, but it is not the
effectual way to do so. No political leader will lead the way forward unto salvation, but they may
be a temporary means to represent biblical principles that stand up for God while time remains.
“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given
among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The local church should strive to influence
and make changes to the culture and the government with the intent to glorify God and lead the
lost to God, but it should always recognize that the government cannot and will not save
humanity from itself or the wrath of God.
5 Bruce Riley Ashford, “The Church in the Mission of God” in The Community of Jesus: A Theology of the
Church, eds. Kendell H. Easley and Christopher W. Morgan (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013), 191-194.
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Bibliography
Ashford, Bruce Riley. “The Church in the Mission of God.” In The Community of Jesus: A
Theology of the Church. Edited by Kendell H. Easley and Christopher W. Morgan.
Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013.
Brown, Michael L. Saving a Sick America: A Prescription for Moral and Cultural
Transformation. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
Grudem, Wayne. Politics According to the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic,
2010.
MacArthur, John, and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible
Truth. Wheaton: Crossway, 2017.
Washer, Paul. The Preeminent Christ: God’s Beautiful and Unchanging Gospel. Grand Rapids,
MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2023.
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