Christianity and Politics – Part 1: Is God Political?
Introduction
In an age where faith and governance often seem to clash or merge awkwardly, Christians are left with a fundamental question: Does God care about politics? Or better still, Is God political? This series will explore the relationship between Christianity and politics from a biblical, theological, and doctrinal lens. In this first part, we’ll lay the foundation by understanding what politics is, whether the Bible addresses it, and how God’s redemptive agenda relates to governance.
What is Politics?
Politics, at its core, is the process by which groups make decisions. It deals with governance, leadership, justice, and the administration of laws and policies in human society. From a biblical standpoint, politics isn’t just about elections or partisan divisions—it’s about how power is stewarded among people. It’s about justice, order, and leadership, all of which are divine interests.
Is God Interested in Politics?
Let’s clear something up: God is not partisan, but He is deeply governmental.
From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals Himself as a King. He creates order, establishes laws, appoints leaders, judges nations, and speaks to rulers. Consider these:
- Genesis 1:28 – God gives Adam and Eve a mandate to “subdue the earth and have dominion”, which is a form of governance.
- Exodus 18 – God gives Moses judicial and administrative instructions for leading Israel.
- 1 Samuel 8 – God gives Israel a king, not because He wanted to, but because they rejected Him as their King.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 – The Messiah is described as a ruler whose government and peace will never end.
- Revelation 19:16 – Jesus is declared “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Clearly, God is not apolitical—He is the originator of governance.
God’s Kingdom: A Political Reality
The Gospel of the Kingdom is not just a message of personal salvation but one of governmental transition. Jesus came preaching that “the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15), meaning He brought a new way of ruling, a new administration that challenges all earthly systems.
The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. It’s not built on voting or human opinion. It is a monarchy ruled by a righteous, just King—Jesus Christ. And yet, it is also not earthly in origin or limited to political ideologies.
So yes, God’s dream is deeply political—but not in the way the world understands politics. His dream is to establish righteousness, justice, and peace on the earth under the rule of Christ.
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
This question often divides believers. Some argue that politics is too dirty, others say it’s essential to societal transformation. Here’s what we must remember:
- Joseph was a political leader in Egypt.
- Daniel served in Babylon and Persia under pagan kings.
- Esther saved a nation through political influence.
- Paul appealed to Roman political authority for justice.
- And of course, Jesus was crucified not just for religious reasons but as a political threat to the Roman Empire.
In short, God places His people in political spheres, not to blend in, but to represent Heaven’s interest on earth.
Politics in the Church Age: What Changed?
After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the early church lived under Roman rule. Yet, they influenced societies, challenged unjust structures, and modeled a new kind of politics—one shaped by love, servanthood, truth, and justice.
In this age, the Church is not a political party, but it is a prophetic witness to every nation and leader. The Church must speak truth to power, advocate for the oppressed, uphold righteousness, and model the Kingdom.
Conclusion: Setting the Stage for the Series
Christianity and politics are not enemies, but neither are they identical. God’s Kingdom challenges and critiques every human system while inviting believers to shine as lights in governance and leadership.
In this series, we’ll explore:
- How the Old and New Testaments reflect political engagement.
- Jesus’ relationship with political systems.
- Whether churches should endorse political parties.
- The balance between activism and Gospel mission.
- God’s heart for justice, leadership, and nations.
Next in the Series: “Jesus and Caesar – How Christ Handled Political Pressure”
Stay tuned.
