Why Mix Politics?
So, why mix politics with your commentary on worldview and Christian apologetics?
I’ve met no small number of folks who think the two should not mix. Some will claim, if you talk about political matters, you’re distracting from the Gospel. Others will label you a “Christian Nationalist” for speaking on both.
But I’ve taken a careful look at what’s happening in the country, and seen several examples (even with personal friends) that a subtle yet powerful deception is taking place in the collision of these supposedly separate worlds.
What we consider political issues are oftentimes part of a larger philosophy, of a worldview. When that worldview is at odds with Christianity, we can find ourselves slowly adopting views that run counter to Scripture.
Given enough time, these views can turn into a wrecking ball with our faith.
It doesn’t seem to make sense for someone to go from “The church should be more focused on social justice” to “I’m not sure I believe the Bible anymore.” But I’ve seen it happen.
We must be willing to weigh popular views, even those of our preferred political party, against Scripture.
Still, so many issues are now considered political, that it’s hard not to lament that practically everything is political today.
I’ve seen people on the Left drag matters into the political arena and then forbid Christians from going there to debate. Too many times Christians concede the ground, and refuse to address the issue, because it’s now considered political.
“Keep your religion to yourself. It has no place in politics,” one side says. “You’re too concerned with politics. You ought to focus more on matters of theology,” says the other.
Let me give an example with one of the biggest hot button issues of our time: abortion. A clear understanding of Scripture will lead one to understand that killing an unborn human being is wrong.
But it has been the law of the land for decades, and still is in several states, even after the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.
If we work to change those laws, to serve the women considering abortions, or persuade others of our views, we’re often chided for being too focused on politics. We’re not seen as trying to correct an injustice, to save innocent life, or trying to stop people from doing something they will later regret (let alone answer to God for).
Don’t believe me? Think about pastors preaching against abortion from the pulpit. See what I mean? That hesitation, that uneasiness of addressing a political issue in church is a fitting example.
At a deeper level, the belief in the acceptability of abortion is rooted in a secular worldview, one that denies either the existence of God or His interest in what we do. (Understand, this doesn’t mean that Christians can’t hold the same view, but it does acknowledge that the view runs counter to a Biblical worldview.)
Because one political party has made the “right” to abortion a large part of their governing philosophy, Christians who lean left may be tempted to tolerate it, if not outright accept it and even advocate for it.
And if people are deceived into believing it is okay to take innocent human life, for whatever reason, what else are they primed to accept that’s antithetical to a Christian worldview?
Some things we consider to be political may be more than that. And this is why we write about political issues. In some cases, they can be a slippery slope to erosion of your faith. In others, they can be a trojan horse for getting you to accept unbiblical ideas and actions.
Unfortunately, politics can’t just stay over in its little corner. Because political ideas can and do influence people away from the sure foundation of faith in Christ, we must not be silent.