Should Christians and Churches Be Involved in Politics?

October 19th, 2026
by Pastor Stu

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Real Answers to Tough Questions

Class 6: Should Christians and Churches be Involved in Politics?

Redemption Hills Church - Adult Sunday School

Pastor Stu • October 18, 2026

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). Someone recently emailed me to say my posts were too political. So let me be clear: our purpose is to bring the lost to repentance and to bring the Kingdom of God to bear on the affairs of people. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). I have no desire to be a politician or religious. My purpose is to follow Jesus.

Separation of church and state? For the faithful follower of Christ, it's a myth. It was meant to keep government out of the church, so the church could speak prophetically into government and family. There are only two kingdoms: The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this World. No Democrat kingdom. No Republican kingdom. Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me" (Matthew 12:30). You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). So which kingdom do you serve?

Yes, we submit to authority, as long as the law doesn't conflict with Scripture (Romans 13:1-7). But where laws and leaders battle God's Word, we will not submit. And we will not be silent. When we refuse to engage, refuse to vote, or stay passive in the presence of evil, we condone it. That's a sin of omission. Peter said, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). So what is the church's role?

The church is always the prophetic voice that speaks the truth. Samuel confronted kings (1 Samuel 15). Truth must always confront power, because power without truth becomes tyranny.

The church is always a protestor against sin and unrighteousness. There's a reason they call us Protestants! We protest anything that requires people to violate the laws and truth of God, including the actions of governments and kings.

The church is always an advocate for the poor and the powerless. We are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:15-16), a force for truth and righteousness, especially in politics and government.

The church is always a righteous army that engages the forces of evil and corruption. Onward, Christian soldier! Into schools and universities, media and entertainment, business, and government.

The church is always a moral conscience for the culture. Our culture's "religion of tolerance" becomes very intolerant the fourth or fifth time Christians speak. Keep your faith private? Never!

Plato said, "The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves." Here are three reasons to get involved.

We are to be the influencers, not the influenced! Refuse to let politicians or the media form your worldview. Check it against Scripture. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others" (Matthew 5:14-16). We cannot hide. We contribute positively. Put a "no whining" sticker on your bathroom mirror! Vote. Call. Write letters. Pray! And point people to the Gospel, so God is seen, not us.

We carry a dual citizenship! "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). But we are citizens of earth, too. Don't be politically ignorant. When city leaders tried to cover up how they'd wronged him and Silas, Paul demanded his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). Know your rights and exercise them. Christians have the same rights as every other citizen.

Refusal to participate allows evil to win! Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Why was Hitler so successful? Because the churches in Germany rolled over. Some even promoted his programs. National pride replaced allegiance to Christ. Martin Niemöller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood against it. Niemöller later wrote that he stayed silent when the Nazis came for others. "When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out." Don't do anything, and evil wins.

But remember, society is not transformed through government. Society is transformed through transformed lives. The goal is more disciples of Jesus! A messed-up man makes a messed-up family, then a messed-up church, city, country, and world. Want to change the world? Start with the man. It all begins with you! You! Do what you can, and trust God for the results. The Kingdom is already and not yet. So take a stand! Do it in a way that glorifies God, because we already know who wins in the end. And it's marvelous.

To the Glory of God, Pastor Stu. Please remember to come to next week's class if you are not volunteering.