A Post on Politics By Nathan Busenitz

Can you be a Christian and not vote Republican? Apparently not. At least that’s the impression I get from the local Christian radio talk show I listen to almost every evening during my commute home.
But what if the leading Republican candidates are pro-abortion? What do we do then? Well, according to this particular radio program, the answer seems to be that it is best to jettison principle for “the lesser of two evils” and to criticize anyone who thinks differently. The (not so subtle) underlying message is that our mission, as believers, is largely political — as we protect our beloved nation from the devilish hands of the liberal left (and especially from anyone with the last name Clinton).
But is it really the church’s mission, or even her responsibility, to gain political dominance? Should we preoccupy ourselves with congressional hearings, presidential campaigns, and economic plans? Do we need to form committees and coalitions who will raise millions of dollars to protect the Ten Commandments and vigilantly stand against any advance by the “immoral minority”?
No, I don’t think so. (Matthew 28:18-20 gives us the mission, or comission, with which we should be primarily concerned. It is hardly political in nature.)
Yet it would not be an understatement, I fear, to predict that in 2008 more will be said about politics from American pulpits than anything else — including clear Bible exposition.
Such a political preoccupation is somewhat ironic, considering the general eschatology of right-wing Protestantism (usually either Premillennial or Amillennial). Our end-times theology tells us that, until Christ returns, nothing can fix this crumbling world system. Yet our political practice suggests that we are desperately trying to fix it nonetheless.
In light of this paradox, a quick stroll down the halls of church history would be more than appropriate (if time and space permitted). We could speak of Constantine’s Rome, Calvin’s Geneva, Henry VIII’s Church of England, the Pilgrim’s Massachusetts Bay Colony, Kuyper’s Amsterdam or any other “Christian kingdom.” In every case, no matter how good the intentions, the attempt has seen only temporary success. Today, in fact, places like Rome, Geneva, England, New England, and Amsterdam are among the least friendly to true Christianity. They serve as witnesses to the fact that Christian political activism cannot achieve permanent spiritual change.
The truth is that Christianizing (or moralizing) government has never had the long-lasting, God-honoring effects its promoters so deeply desire. Time and time again, Christian political efforts have resulted in, at most, some immediate political gains. But these gains are only external, lacking any power to change the hearts of fallen people. They are equally temporary, eventually resulting in both spiritual confusion and moral decline.
While American Christians have been given a voice in our nation’s affairs, a voice that we can and should exercise, we must remember that our allegiance is first to God and only second to our government. Our primary concern then should be in saving souls rather than gaining votes. Rather than being consumed with political debates, we should be consumed with our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors. These are the efforts and activities that have eternal value. And while we preoccupy ourselves with the spiritual rather than the political, we can rest in knowing that He is sovereign over the governments and affairs of this world.
In John 18:36, Jesus told Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting . . . but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Maybe it’s time the church started living like this. At least until He returns and tells us differently.