Should Christians Be Engaged/Concerned with Politics?

We're in the middle of a sermon series called "The Resilient Church"—a conversation about standing firm in a chaotic culture. This week, we’re tackling one of the toughest questions for believers today:

I get it—politics can feel exhausting. Maybe you’d rather check out, focus on your faith, and leave the world to do its thing. But the reality is, politics do affect our lives, communities, and future. And as followers of Christ, we’re called to engage wisely.

A lot of people think if we talk this issue in church it means we’re getting more political. The reality is, the church isn’t trying to get more political. Politics are getting more spiritual. Government is inserting itself into conversations of morality in ways that Christians cannot ignore as it’s literally our lane. I realize the tension here, but it’s a tension we at Reach want to navigate well.

As Christians, we are entrusted to steward the lives and decisions God has placed in our hands. This means we bear the responsibility to live intentionally and make decisions that reflect a love for God and love for neighbor.

Allie Beth Stuckey puts it best:
"Politics matter because policies matter because people matter."

We need to wrestle with questions like, "How does my vote reflect Christ’s heart for the world?" and "How do I engage without compromising my faith or peace?"

We won’t tell you who to vote for—that’s not our job. But we do hope this piece helps you keep Jesus, your neighbors, and future generations in mind when you vote.

We’re going to be addressing 5 myths I believe the church has often bought into and try to bring a Biblically thoughtful and historically relevant responses to each (You can hear this content fleshed out much more thoroughly in the sermon I preached below). 

Now, if the question is, does God care about the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, the Libertarians, etc. I would say, “likely, not.” These are all branded, man-made tribes that have chosen to affiliate around issues they agree on. I don’t think God cares about our human categories.

So what should we think of when we think “Politics?”

The English word politics is derived from the name of a work by Aristotle from the 300’s BC called Politiká (Πολιτικά). It’s a Greek word that means “affairs of the cities.” It refers to how people organize and govern their communities. It’s not limited to a particular structure, rather, acknowledges that order and structure exist.

Some Christians believe that God is only concerned with spiritual matters and that political engagement falls outside the scope of their faith. But from Genesis to Revelation, we see God involved in governance and public life. In the Garden of Eden, God established order, gave Adam and Eve stewardship, and set boundaries (Genesis 1:28, 2:15-17). As Israel developed into a nation, God gave laws through Moses and worked within human systems—even flawed monarchies like King Saul’s (1 Samuel 8).

What can we observe from all of this? Well first of all, that God is not an anarchist. But secondly, the statement “God doesn’t care about politics” is simply false.

At its core, we need to recognize that God not only establishes governing structures of his own, but also works within human structures to accomplish His purposes and advance His Kingdom.

Even the prophet Daniel confirms this:
"He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings." (Daniel 2:21 CSB)

God's sovereignty operates both above and within human governance, demonstrating that His Kingdom is not bound by earthly systems but often advances through them. At a baseline, if we believe God is engaged within the realm of politics, then perhaps we should be too.

I grew up in a house where my parents paid attention to politics, but I was pretty indifferent. In fact, when it came to how I would identify politically, rather than say “I’m a republican” or “I’m a democrat,” I would find goofy ways to deflect.

When people asked about my political leanings, I’d dodge the question by quoting lyrics from a Christian punk band I liked, MXPX. Their song “Teenage Politics” summed it up perfectly for me: “Politics Shmolotics – it’s too confusing.” It was my way of saying I didn’t want to get tangled in the complexities of political labels.

I didn’t see the point. I thought that as a Christian, it was a waste of time to think about the Kingdoms of this world. "I should be more concern with the Kingdom of Heaven!"

The thing we need to ask is this: Does the Gospel ONLY speak to spiritual issues? Does “staying in our lane” mean we are to stay silent about matters of politics or policy? Everyone else gets to speak up. Should Christians stay out of the public forum?

The Gospel is not just about personal salvation—it’s a call to transform communities and shape culture. Throughout the Bible, God’s people engage the world around them. Daniel refused to obey unjust laws (Daniel 6), Esther risked her life to save her people (Esther 4:16), and John the Baptist spoke out against Herod's sin (Mark 6:18).

Similarly, modern Christians like Hugh McKail, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce didn’t "stay in their lane." They saw faith as a force for justice, opposing tyranny, and abolishing slavery because their love for God compelled them to engage the public square. Being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) requires us to shine truth and preserve righteousness in every area of life—including politics.

The concept of “separation of church and state” is often misunderstood. It originated from Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists, emphasizing that the government should stay out of church affairs—not that religious beliefs should stay out of public life. If this is a new idea to you, check out this video that quickly unpacks the concept.

The reason people throw this statement around incorrectly is because they think that public policy and faith shouldn’t mix. I’ve heard people say things like “You can’t legislate morality!” Well guess what? Government is ALWAYS legislating morality!

Every piece of legislation reflects SOMEONE’S morality. The question is, whose?

Christians are called to be salt and light in all spheres of life (Matthew 5:13-16)—meaning, we add flavor, we preserve, and we shine light on behalf of God’s kingdom.

R.T. France said it like this:
"Disciples, if they are true to their calling, make the earth a purer and a more palatable place."

Christians are called to live their faith in every sphere—at home, at work, and in public (Colossians 3:17). If faith becomes private, the moral compass in society shifts toward secular ideologies. In this vacuum, worldviews that oppose biblical principles rise to fill the gap. Our role is to advocate for values that align with God’s Kingdom, even in public discourse.

Some argue that Jesus avoided political matters, suggesting Christians should do the same. But a closer look at Scripture tells a different story. Jesus navigated politically charged situations frequently. He addressed taxes directly in Matthew 22:21, instructing followers to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

This isn't suggesting that Jesus didn’t pay taxes, rather that he did. Jesus is saying, “Yes, engage in the civic duties you are obligated to within this societal construct, but don’t forget where your ultimate allegiance is, which should be with God.”

This reveals 2 things:

1. Christians have a responsibility to maintain ultimate allegiance and service to God.
2. Christians also have a responsibility to fulfill civic duties within the context God has placed us.

You might say, “Well I don’t like either candidate.” Well guess what? No candidate will ever perfectly align with every belief you hold. Same goes for me.

I’ve heard it said this way: A vote is not a valentine.

It’s not a love letter. They aren’t your spouse. They aren’t your pastor. They won’t even be your friend. They stand to represent a direction for our nation.

To me, it’s about choosing a candidate who aligns more closely with biblical principles and minimizes harm, even if they aren't perfect. If we opt out, the decisions are still made—just without us—and often for the worse. I can get over being misunderstood for voting a certain way if the outcome at least moves the needle closer (not further) from a reality I’d prefer my kids to grow up in.

So how do we go about making decisions about who to vote for or what to vote for?

Think about it like a pyramid:

Principle - What is the core belief that is being the conversation? For Christians, we establish those beliefs from God’s Word, the Bible. Our worldview should be constantly and progressively shaped by the Scriptures. We grow in this way of thinking as we read it individually and grapple with it as a community of Spirit-filled disciples.

Policy - Policies reflect principles. Whether religious or secular, deeply held convictions drive forward policies that are presented in the political sphere. As Christians, we should filter the policies we are voting on through Biblical principles as much as we can. Sometimes we may even disagree at this level, but we should at least do our best to have a Biblical framework for why we are landing in a certain place.

Person/Party - We often start here, but I don't think that’s the best course of action. Does character matter? Of course it does, but when a candidate's character is less-than (which in this election cycle, likely reflects both major ones), we'll have to explore other angles as well. We too easily run the risk of election cycles becoming a popularity contest if we don't. The person we “like” better has the power to sway us. Scratch that. We need to be asking: Which person/party is introducing policies that are most aligned with scripture? At that point, it’s less about “who I like better” or “who will make history” and rather who stands to represent a more biblically aligned platform in terms of what they will actually accomplish.

Hopefully, focusing on the two foundational components will guide you in how to address the top one. Perhaps this process will help equip you to make a decision with confidence, knowing you’ve honored both the Lord and your personal convictions. 

It’s easy to feel like our individual vote won’t make a difference. I know this because the statistics back it up.

Barna’s research indicates that nearly 32 million Christians may abstain from voting in the upcoming election—a staggering number that could significantly affect outcomes. Choosing not to engage means allowing others to shape policies that affect future generations.

Voting is an act of stewardship. While candidates and parties won’t align perfectly with our values, our participation at a variety of levels still matters. 

Here are three ways to live out your faith in the public sphere:

1. Vote with Kingdom Values in Mind.
Think in terms of principles, policies, and people—in that order. Ask yourself: Which policies align most closely with biblical principles? Which candidate will handle these policies in a way that honors Christ?

2. Disciple the Next Generation.
Parents, your voice matters most to your kids. Teach them to think biblically, discern truth from lies, and engage culture with wisdom. Even if you don’t have children, invest in others within the church community. We can help teach them WHAT following Jesus is all about and HOW to do it.

3. Pray for Our Leaders.
Scripture commands us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Whether you agree with them or not, pray that God will guide their decisions and surround them with godly counsel.

4. You can remember who sits on the throne.
Government can’t save us—only Christ can. But that truth only takes root in our lives if we fully surrender to His Lordship. If you haven't already, I invite you to put your trust in Jesus and let His rule shape every part of your life.

At the end of the day, we have to remember that the Gospel is meant to touch every single aspect of our lives. Jesus isn’t Lord over just some things, he is Lord over all things - including government. He is our only hope—not just in this life, but for eternity.

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" — Abraham Kuyper