Political Discussions in Christian Forums

General Faith
1

Do we wish our faith to be a refuge from worldly woe? If yes, then can we agree that it is best to keep it free of non-essential things about which we can and will disagree?

C.S. Lewis once said that there is an advantage in believers “comparing notes,” that is, not always presuming to teach in an authoritative manner but sharing their experiences so that their audience may ponder how they match their own.[1] Consider this article to be in that vein. The contemporary world is full of blessings. And while I think they outnumber difficulties for most of us most of the time, life at its best in this world still retains plentiful causes of suffering and frustration.

Of the many irksome things in the contemporary world, one of the most irksome is the dragging of politics into Christian forums. Before proceeding further, let me state that: a) this is nothing new, as much of the history of the church has also been the history of Christendom, with its mingling of Christian faith (of wildly varying degrees of sincerity and accuracy) with all other elements of life in this world; b) this phenomenon of dragging politics into faith is an easy – dare I say, natural – thing to do, one which most of us have succumbed to at some point, and one which is probably the majority position among believers; and c) in discussing it I do not say that it ipso facto proves those that do it are hypocrites or false professors of faith. But though common historically and contemporaneously, and though not necessarily discrediting one’s faith claims, it is wrong.

One, it misdirects such forums from their proper purpose of declaring eternal, spiritual truths about Christ Jesus and sets their focus on the temporal affairs of this world. God says:

Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:1b-3).

He then goes on to tell us to kill those passions (“covetousness” and “anger, wrath, malice, slander”) which politics brings out, both by its nature and by the intentions of its practitioners (vv. 5-9).

But politics would have us walk by sight, not faith (comp. 2 Cor. 5:7), by the grievances we do see rather than the promises of God we await. It would have us trust our own understanding (comp. Prov. 3:5-6; Jer. 17:5), seeking the advantage of earthly kingdoms – which belong to Satan (Matt. 4:8-9) – that will soon perish, instead of Christ’s kingdom, which “is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36) and is that “better country” (Heb. 11:16) that endures forever (“of his kingdom there will be no end,” Lk. 1:33). Christ said being weighed down with the cares of this life chokes out his word in our hearts (Matt. 13:22), that same word which we are elsewhere told is the seed of our faith and our new birth in Christ (1 Pet. 1:23). Pray tell, what is politics, if not a preoccupation with the cares of this life?

Politics is the enemy of faith and piety, and in many people it drives out the Christian form of both: once wed politics and piety and politics becomes your piety. Thus also with faith. This process of politics subverting faith is dangerous because it is subtle and frequently effective, which is why there are multitudes of professing believers and churches that loudly declare all manner of political causes, often in Christian terminology, all while not declaring Jesus’ basic message of “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17) as he intended.

Again, meshing politics and faith does not always end there, and there are many people who stumble into the error without losing a sincere faith; but many people have made shipwreck of their faith by sailing rather for earthly shores than setting their minds on Christ’s kingdom. There is in fact an immense difficulty on this point, that of distinguishing between false teachers who make the faith political to subvert it, and sincere believers who are simply caught up in a common if mistaken trend (as is frequent, Gal. 2:11-14), and whose political preoccupations are straw that will be consumed in judgment while they themselves are yet saved (1 Cor. 3:9-15). The best thing, then, is to assiduously avoid politics except where it has a clear moral element (e.g., abortion) or a clear effect on our faith (e.g., a law forbidding its exercise). Key word ‘clear’: there are some people who regard everything as having a moral element. Of such people I have nothing to say except that God will deal with them as he sees fit, and hopefully bring many to repentance.[2]

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If you can quote politicians better than prophets, and break down ballots faster than Bible verses,something’s off.

Time to trade the newsfeed for the Word, friend.

J.

2

Hi,

Politics has its place in life.
Why can’t we talk about it?

You know a politician did what an apostle could not do.
President Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation” led to the abolishment of slavery in the USA.
It prompted other countries to do the same.
That’s pretty cool.
President Kennedy challenged America to go to the moon in the 1960s.
We made it.
President Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down these walls.”
That act ended with a reuniting of a country.
Families that had not seen each other in 40+ years were brought back together.
Politicians did that.

Religion had nothing to do with it, other than one guy taking the leap of faith to speak out.
Politics are not the enemy of Christianity or religion.
More Christians should be in politics.

Blessings

3

Thanks for sharing this article—it’s a thoughtful reflection that echoes what many believers wrestle with.

While I personally don’t engage in political discussion often, I’d like to offer a slightly different take:
Crosswalk.com is a site whose tagline is “The Intersection of Faith and Life.” That means our forums…an extension of the site…will naturally touch on all aspects of life, including politics. Not because we want division, but because we believe Christians must navigate every sphere of life with biblical clarity.

Do we want our faith to be a retreat from the world’s mess…or a light in the middle of it?

Politics isn’t our hope, but it is a context in which our witness is tested. Issues like justice, lawmaking, leadership, and ethics are where our theology meets real-world application. That said, I agree: our goal must always be Christ—not partisanship.
So let’s engage these issues in humility, with Scripture in one hand and grace in the other.

“If you can quote politicians better than prophets, and break down ballots faster than Bible verses… something’s off.”
Amen to that.

What do you think—does politics have a place in Christian conversation, or should we keep it separate?

4

I appreciate your humility and agree that faith must not retreat from the world, but rather shine within it (Matthew 5:14–16). Still, I’d like to offer a biblical case for why politics should never occupy a central place in a believer’s life or the public witness of the Church.

If we define politics as justice, mercy, and truth in action, Scripture calls us to engage. Micah 6:8 tells us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Proverbs 31:8–9 urges us to speak for the voiceless. James 1:27 describes pure religion as caring for the vulnerable and remaining unstained by the world. These are personal, prophetic commands-not calls to partisan engagement.

But when politics becomes an identity, a source of division, or a substitute for gospel transformation, the New Testament issues strong warnings. Paul tells Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs” (2 Timothy 2:4). The Greek verb emplekō means to become ensnared. Paul does not call for political revolution, even under Rome’s corruption. Instead, in Romans 13:1–7, he teaches submission-not because Rome was righteous, but because God is sovereign.

Paul’s lens is kingdom-centered. In Philippians 3:20, he says our politeuma, our citizenship, is in heaven. We await a Savior, not a Caesar. The early Church, living under injustice and persecution, was never told to reform government. They were told to be holy, endure suffering, proclaim Christ, and live as exiles (1 Peter 2:11–12). Their power was not political leverage, but gospel faithfulness.

In Acts 1:6, the apostles asked Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel. This was a political expectation. Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times,” and instead told them, “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:7–8). From that moment on, the Church’s mission was not legislative reform, but spiritual rebirth.

Yes, faith affects every part of life. But the way of the cross does not resemble the way of politics. Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). He refused to be made king by force (John 6:15). He warned His disciples not to seek power like Gentile rulers, but to serve as He did (Mark 10:42–45). The Church does not advance through control but through cruciform love.

Politics regularly fosters the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19–21 lists enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, and factions-all common in political discourse. These are not neutral behaviors; they are sin. When believers invest deeply in political identities, these fruits often emerge. Paul told the Corinthians not to boast in men (1 Corinthians 3:21), for the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Further, political categories often distort biblical categories. One party might highlight sexual ethics but neglect the poor. Another might cry out for justice while denying righteousness. When Christians take their cues from political tribes, they start reading Scripture selectively. But “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), and it rebukes every party, every ideology, and every culture.

Paul declared, “I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). This was not spiritual minimalism. It was theological centrality. The cross is where justice, mercy, truth, and love converge. That is the foundation of our identity and our engagement. When politics takes center stage, the cross is pushed to the margins.

So, does politics have a place in Christian conversation? Perhaps on the edges. But never at the center. The mission of the Church is not to transform the world by legislation, but to proclaim the One who transforms hearts by grace. We are not called to take sides, but to take up our cross (Luke 9:23). We are strangers and exiles (Hebrews 11:13), citizens of a better country (Hebrews 11:16), seeking the city to come (Hebrews 13:14).

Let us speak to cultural issues clearly, but as prophets-not as partisans. Let us act with conviction, but also with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24–25). Let our tone sound like Jesus-not like pundits.

If our hope is in ballots more than Bibles, if we can quote platforms better than prophets, then something is off.

The kingdoms of this world are passing away (1 John 2:17). But Christ’s kingdom will never end (Luke 1:33). Let us seek that kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), and trust that every other concern will find its place beneath His rule.

Correct?

J.