Clarity: What Is My Political Obligation?

This is the fourth installment of the Clarity blog series, where I am helping us build a Christian worldview to navigate a few of life’s toughest topics. So far, we’ve explored spiritual warfare (relying on God to stand firm), the Bible’s trustworthiness (our foundation for truth), and how science and faith complement each other (tools for understanding God’s world). Now, we turn to a realm that often stirs tension: politics. The question I am seeking to answer is: What is my political obligation? 

The answer to this question is rooted in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (NLT) 

We engage the political process not as citizens of this world but as citizens of God’s Kingdom, in a way that honors King Jesus.

The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine wearing glasses with blue-tinted lenses. Everything you see—trees, sky, people—takes on a blue hue. You can’t perceive reality as it truly is unless you swap the lenses. Our worldview works the same way. It’s the lens through which we interpret life—meaning, morality, decisions. A Christian worldview, shaped by faith in Jesus, colors how we see purpose, relationships, and even politics. Others might view the world through naturalism, Buddhism, or another lens, leading to vastly different conclusions. The key question is: What lenses are we wearing? Are they aligned with God’s wisdom, or molded by the culture around us?

In this series, we’ve emphasized that Christians use the Bible to construct a worldview that makes sense of the world. With competing voices vying for our attention, Scripture offers a firm foundation—including for something as messy as politics. 

Why do I think it is important to address politics in this series? 

First, it’s a discipleship issue. As Kaitlyn Schiess argues in The Liturgy of Politics, we must ask: Are we being shaped by the Holy Spirit and Scripture, or by a political ideology? 

Second, politics is unavoidable—we live in this world, and we have been given a voice. This means we need wisdom in the best way to use that voice. Our task when it comes to politics is to discern how to bless our communities while representing Jesus well. I won’t tell you how to vote—that’s between you and God, approached prayerfully. But I do want to emphasize the reality that how engage in politics isn’t trivial; it’s a reflection of our faith.

Defining Politics Broadly

Politics isn’t just elections or government. It’s the activities, actions, and policies that govern a community—how power, resources, and decisions about laws and justice are handled. This means that politics isn’t only about voting or debating, it also includes how we shape our families, neighborhoods, and society. For Christians, it also about living out Kingdom values right now. So, how do we do that? 

I believe it starts by remembering who we are.

Christians as Exiles

In 1 Peter 2:11-17, Peter calls believers “exiles” and “foreigners.” What this truth points to is that we are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven called to live as representatives in the world. Our primary allegiance isn’t to any nation but to King Jesus and his We can’t have a divided allegiance! 

Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters.” This means my U. S. Citizenship  (or yours, wherever you are) is secondary to my citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Our mission isn’t to “take back” a country for God but to make disciples. This mission is a slow, transformative process that shapes people’s worldviews. I think this is a crucial point to remember: Politics can’t forge a “Christian” nation; only disciple-making can.

Peter offers practical guidance for exiles:

• Live Honorably (v. 12): We represent Jesus, seeking to bless our communities—voting, working, befriending—living in ways that honor him, even if that leads to us being misunderstood or maligned.
• Submit to Authorities (v. 13): We respect human institutions, not because we always agree, but because Jesus teaches us to. We trust God’s ultimate rule, avoiding needless rebellion and violence. One of the reasons we submit to authorities is because Followers of Jesus will sooner or later clash the laws of the State, so we shouldn’t provide additional excuses for the State to use the sword against us (This is basically what Paul is arguing in Romans 13).
• Use Freedom Wisely (v. 16): Christian freedom isn’t license to defy the laws of the land but empowerment to serve God and respect the State.

In the oppressive Roman Empire, Peter urged submission and respect, not defiance. Christians built pockets of heaven amid darkness of Rome. How can we do the same today?

Prayer: Our Greatest Political Act

Paul teaches about Christians political responsibility in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. In this passage Paul teaches us that prayer is our primary form of political engagement. In a Roman world where Christians had little power, Paul told Timothy to teach the church to pray—for leaders, for peace, for godliness. Why? So we can live “peaceful and quiet lives” (v. 2) and so people “can be saved” (v. 4). Our prayers aren’t about crafting a nation to our liking but about opening doors for God’s Kingdom to grow. 

I think it is also important to remember that prayer isn’t passive—it’s active work. I think too often we fall into the trap of thinking prayer of prayer as a way to give God our thoughts and worries, but we have to get to work to make things happen. That is not the case! Prayer is the work that all of us are called to do, and through it God works in this world. Prayer is also how we wear God’s armor in spiritual warfare, how Paul sought support for evangelism, and how we engage politics. Alongside making disciples, prayer is our most potent political tool.

Representing King Jesus

Colossians 3:17 ties it together: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” We are called to represent King Jesus in a world that is mostly ignorant about him, so we need wisdom on how to do it. 

Yes, Jesus flipped tables in the Temple, but we are not called to flip tables . For Jesus, flipping tables was a prophetic act, not a tantrum—God’s judgment on a corrupt system. John the Baptist’s fiery calls to repentance targeted covenant people who knew better, not a secular culture. 

As we seek to represent Jesus, we can’t assume our society knows the Bible, the nature of sin, or the love of God. Our political engagement—conversations, votes, actions—must reflect Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, rather than just engaging in a culture war to uphold “biblical values.”

The Big Idea: Citizens of Heaven

Here’s the heart of it: We engage the political process not as citizens of this world but as citizens of God’s Kingdom, in a way that honors King Jesus. Like the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29), we seek our community’s welfare—blessing, not cursing—while praying for leaders and opportunities to share the Gospel. Winning elections matters less than living faithfully.

Your Challenge

Ask yourself: How can I engage in politics in ways that glorify God and reflect Jesus’ character? I believe it is more vital to embody love, compassion, and integrity than to win a debate or an election. Reflect on the importance of representing King Jesus in everything you say and do daily—let it shape your words, votes, and actions.

Tying It to Our Worldview

Our Clarity series seeks to build a lens for life. Spiritual warfare taught reliance on God; the Bible gave us truth; science and faith showed us complementary tools. Now, politics reveals our identity as Kingdom citizens. We don’t disengage or conform—we participate as exiles, praying and living for Jesus’ glory.

Closing Prayer

• Thank God for the hope we have in Jesus.
• Ask for wisdom to follow Him in all things, including politics.
• Commit to being a citizen of God’s Kingdom, blessing the world around you.

We’re here to worship, hear God, and respond. If you’ve got questions or feel the Spirit nudging you to follow Jesus, let’s talk. For all of us, prayer is our starting point—let’s honor King Jesus together.

Faith, Politics, and the Slippery Slope of Power

“When believers surrender to the temptation to associate the faith with a political party, so that a subtle but rock-solid alliance is formed between the church and an entity that belongs to this present age, the dynamics of triumphalism easily take over. Christians begin to quest after cultural domination, seeking political power and cultural approval.”

— Timothy Gombis, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Mark, p. 568

The Tension of Faith and Politics

A tension many followers of Jesus wrestle with is: how do we influence the messy world of earthly politics while faithfully representing King Jesus in everything we say and do?

I believe that Timothy Gombis hits the nail on the head with this thought. When disciples of Jesus get too cozy with a political party, there is the temptation for a divided loyalty. What starts as a pragmatic alliance between the Church and politics as a way to influence our culture can morph into a quest for power—a pursuit of dominance that looks more like an attempt to control than advancement of the Gospel. Sometimes it’s a slow drift; other times, it’s a sudden leap. But once it takes root, the consequences of this relationship ripple far beyond the ballot box.

Lessons from History

History is littered with cautionary tales. The medieval church didn’t just counsel kings—it crowned them, wielding spiritual authority like a scepter to dictate the morality of the culture. Fast forward to today, and we see echoes of that same impulse: religious rhetoric weaponized for partisan agendas, voter guides tucked into pews, faith leaders stumping for candidates. The line blurs between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Favored Party. In those instances, the gospel ceases to be about love, humility, or redemption, and it becomes a tool for winning elections, shaping laws, and shaping culture. Gombis calls this “triumphalism,” a trap that flips the mission of the Kingdom upside down.

A Personal Confession

I’ve watched this happen in real time—and I’ll admit, I’ve been part of the problem. Conversations with friends turn into litmus tests: Are you really a Christian if you don’t vote this way? Churches start preaching platforms instead of Scripture, always finding a way to weave in a political jab rather than truly teaching the truth of Scripture. Before long, Jesus becomes a mascot for a political tribe rather than the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s subtle at first—a sermon here, a hashtag there—but soon, the church isn’t just in the world; it’s of it. That’s the danger Gombis warns about: when faith hitches its wagon to a political party—or worse, a political figure—it risks trading its soul for a seat at the table.

The Kingdom’s Counterpoint

Scripture offers a stark counterpoint. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Those words cut through the noise. Jesus didn’t rally a militia, lobby Rome, or chase the crowd’s applause. His power wasn’t in domination but in sacrifice, which makes God’s Kingdom stand apart from the empires of his day. 

Jesus drives this point home even further in Matthew 20:25-28 saying: 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Here’s the blueprint: greatness isn’t about control—it’s about laying down power for the sake of others. It’s a challenging standard to live by, but it’s a reminder: the kingdom we’re called to doesn’t need a flag or a party support to endure.

Finding the Balance

The alternative to political partnership isn’t simple. Withdrawing from politics altogether isn’t practical—faith should shape how we engage the world. Justice, mercy, and compassion don’t thrive in a vacuum. But there’s a difference between influence and partnership, between speaking to culture and needing to shape it. Perhaps the model is Jesus himself: he challenged power without seizing its throne. Rather than claiming victory through power, Jesus won the victory through sacrifice.

A Call to Examine Our Loyalties

Gombis’ words are a heart check. They force us to examine where our loyalties truly lie. Are we serving the Kingdom of Heaven and King Jesus, or just propping up the loudest political megaphone of the moment? 

It’s a question worth wrestling with—because when faith and politics fuse too tightly, it’s not just the church that changes. It’s us. And if we’re not careful, we might wake up one day to find we’ve drifted far from God’s Kingdom altogether.

King Jesus Above All: The Case for Christian Anarchy

 

The Radical Call of King Jesus

Ponder these questions:

• What if following Jesus means something far more radical than we’ve been led to believe?
• What if His call to “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) requires us to reject the world’s obsession with power, control, and coercion altogether?
• What if we get our cues about how to engage in politics from our culture rather than from Scripture?

My core belief about what it means to be a Christian is this: As disciples of King Jesus, our ultimate allegiance is to him and his kingdom. 

This allegiance often puts us at odds with the structures and systems of the world. It even puts us at odds with what we’ve been taught about faith and politics. For some disciples of Jesus (myself included), this radical commitment to Jesus has led them to embrace a perspective known as Christian Anarchy. 

It’s unfortunate that the term “anarchy” conjures images of chaos and rebellion. True Christian Anarchy is something entirely different than the Molotov Cocktail-throwing people that usually pop into your mind when you hear the word anarchy. Christian Anarchy is not about promoting lawlessness; rather, it’s about proclaiming and living out our allegiance to the King of kings above all earthly authorities.

What Is Christian Anarchy? An Allegiance to King Jesus

It’s worth repeating that Christian Anarchy is not about chaos, lawlessness, or rejecting all forms of authority. Instead, it’s the radical commitment to see King Jesus as the sole and rightful ruler over all aspects of life. It’s a pledge of allegiance to Jesus alone (Matthew 6:24). This allegiance challenges the legitimacy of coercive power structures—those that rely on force or threats, like taxation backed by imprisonment or laws enforced with violence—by insisting that the way of Jesus—marked by love, peace, humility, and self-sacrifice—stands in direct opposition to the world’s systems of control and domination.

At its core, Christian Anarchy is a declaration that our highest allegiance belongs to King Jesus and his kingdom, which operates on entirely different principles than those of earthly governments. As Jesus declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His reign is not enforced through violence or political power, but through the transformative power of his love and truth.

For some, like myself, this vision draws not only from Scripture but also from the Anarcho-Capitalist ideas of thinkers like Murray Rothbard and Tom Woods (Tom Woods has been a huge influence on my beliefs). They argue that coercive state monopolies—whether taxing us into submission or waging wars in our name—violate human liberty and reason. This aligns with Christian Anarchy’s rejection of idolatrous power, pointing to voluntary exchange and cooperation as a reflection of Jesus’ non-coercive ethic. Where Rothbard and Woods see markets and mutual consent as the antidote to statism, I see King Jesus empowering us to live freely under his lordship, rather than Caesar’s yoke.

Christian anarchists seek to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven above all else, refusing to compromise their loyalty to Jesus by placing their trust in the coercive, flawed, and often unjust systems of the world. Instead, they strive to embody the way of Jesus, even when it challenges societal norms and expectations. This is hard when things like patriotism and partisan politics get woven into the way we practice Christian faith. Not only are we bucking society’s expectations, but also the beliefs and practices of the majority of Christians.

The Radical Teachings of King Jesus

Following King Jesus means embracing his teachings—especially when they seem impractical or contrary to worldly wisdom. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) presents an ethic of radical love, humility, and nonviolence that stands in stark contrast to the power-driven methods of earthly kingdoms.

Jesus calls His followers to:

• Love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44).
• Reject the pursuit of wealth and power, instead trusting God to provide (Matthew 6:19–34).
• Seek reconciliation and forgiveness rather than harboring anger or seeking revenge (Matthew 5:21–26).

Jesus didn’t just preach this radical love—he lived it. When struck by a soldier during his arrest, he didn’t retaliate (John 18:22-23). When crucified, he prayed for his executioners’ forgiveness (Luke 23:34). This is the King we follow—a ruler who uses love as his weapon, not force. Living under his lordship means abandoning the coercive tactics of the world and embracing the power of sacrificial love (Revelation 5:5-6). It’s a life that rejects the sword and embraces the cross.

Why Christian Anarchy Is Not Lawlessness

Critics often accuse Christian Anarchy of promoting lawlessness or utopian idealism. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Christian anarchists don’t reject authority itself; they reject coercive, violent, and idolatrous authorities that seek to usurp the place of King Jesus. They seek a different way—voluntary cooperation under the lordship of Jesus, not obedience extracted by force. The world’s order relies on fear and threats; Jesus’ authority invites freely given loyalty, as seen in the early church’s mutual care (Acts 4:32). They obeyed God over the Sanhedrin’s unjust decrees (Acts 5:29) while peacefully accepting the consequences. This same courage carried into their defiance of Rome, facing lions rather than wielding swords. As Paul wrote, believers are called to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:36).

It’s important to note that this does not mean living in isolation or disengagement from the world. Instead, it means living in a way that bears faithful witness to the reign of King Jesus, even when that witness conflicts with the demands of earthly rulers. The call the first Christians heard wasn’t to rebel and overthrow Rome—it was to love and support one another as they went into the world to make disciples.

Common Criticisms (And How They Miss the Point)

Even though Christian Anarchy has a compelling vision of allegiance to King Jesus, it faces valid criticisms. Let’s address them:

1. Naivety About Human Nature
   Criticism: Without governance, society would devolve into chaos.
   Response: Christian anarchists see humanity’s sinfulness clearly—wars and corruption prove the state often amplifies evil, rather than restrains it. They trust the Spirit’s power to renew hearts (Romans 12:2), producing peace and patience where swords fail (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t deny sin; it redeems people from it.
2. Practical Ineffectiveness
   Criticism: Nonviolence and voluntary community sound noble but seem impractical for organizing society.
   Response: Tell that to the early church, thriving without the force of the State to govern it (Acts 2:42-47). God’s kingdom advances through love and service, not coercion and violence. Jesus calls us to faith that is lived out in love—feeding the hungry, forgiving the sinner—and not worldly practicality.
3. Lack of Political Engagement
   Criticism: Disengaging from politics is irresponsible.
   Response: Christian anarchists don’t shun justice—they pursue it Jesus’ way, not Caesar’s. Relying on coercive systems risks idolatry; true justice flows from peace and mercy (Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23). This doesn’t mean total abstention—we may pay taxes or vote, not as endorsements of the state’s coercion, but as pragmatic acts in a fallen world. These aren’t sins or signs we accept the system; they’re choices to live faithfully within it while serving King Jesus alone. Ultimately our vote is the way we live life, a life lived for King Jesus.
4. Misinterpretation of Scripture
   Criticism: Christian Anarchy wrongly politicizes Jesus’ teachings.
   Response: Jesus’ kingdom is political—upending power with love, not swords. When Rome demanded worship, the church said no (this is one of the themes in Revelation). His teachings aren’t abstract; they demand total allegiance over earthly thrones.

Following King Jesus in a World Obsessed with Power

Christian Anarchy challenges us to ask: Where does our highest allegiance lie? Are we more committed to earthly power structures than to the teachings of King Jesus? When the kingdoms of this world demand our loyalty, will we remain faithful to the King of kings?

The call of Christian Anarchy is not to withdraw from the world but to bear witness to the reign of King Jesus by embodying his kingdom’s values. It invites believers to live lives marked by love, humility, service, and peace—demonstrating to a watching world that Jesus truly is Lord of all.

Reflection Question:

What earthly loyalty—nation, political party, status—might Jesus be calling you to loosen your grip on to hold him above all?

Faith Over Politics: Representing Jesus Well in a Divided World

 

Imagine you’re wearing glasses. The lenses tint everything you see, and if they’re blue, everything has a blue hue. No matter how much you try, you can't see things clearly until you either remove or change the lenses

For Christians, a biblical worldview frames everything through faith in Jesus, influencing our perspectives on work, family, and yes, even politics. This raises an essential question: what kind of lenses are we wearing? Are they shaped by God’s truth or by the world around us?

A Biblical Worldview for a Complex World

As followers of Christ, we’re called to build a worldview rooted in Scripture. This is difficult because we are bombarded with messages and philosophies that influence the way we see the world. It is crucial that we remember that in a world overflowing with competing voices, the Bible provides a firm foundation for understanding life—including how we engage politically.

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Why Should Christians be Concerned about Politics?

You might ask, Why discuss politics? Isn’t that divisive? Aren’t we supposed to be above the things of this world? 

Here’s why we should clearly about politics:

1. Politics is an issue of discipleship. Kaitlyn Schiess, in The Liturgy of Politics, challenges us to ask: are we being discipled by the Holy Spirit and the Bible, or by a political pundits and partisan politics?

2. Politics is a reality of life. We’re called to engage with the world around us. How we approach politics can either bless our communities and glorify God—or do the opposite.

My job is not to convince you on how you should vote, but that doesn’t mean voting doesn’t matter. Because voting has consequences, how you vote matters.  Yet, voting remains a deeply personal decision. It is a decision that should be approached prayerfully.

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What is Politics?

Politics is not just about how government functions. It is also how groups organize, distribute power and resources, and make decisions. Our families, communities, institutions, and even churches have a political framework that supports them. For Christians, political engagement, in every area of life, is about living out Kingdom values in our spheres of influence.

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Christians Are Exiles: Allegiance to King Jesus

1 Peter 2:11 (CSB)

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.

As Christians, we are exiles in this world. This means our true citizenship is in heaven, and our loyalty belongs to King Jesus. 

Matthew 6:24 (CSB)

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6:24 teaches us we cannot serve two masters. This means:

• Our primary mission isn’t reclaiming a nation for God but making disciples.
• Creating a “Christian” nation through politics is not the goal. Instead, we transform lives through discipleship, shaping people with a biblical worldview.

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Living Honorably in a Divided World

1 Peter 2:12-17 (CSB)

Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Peter’s guidance for exiles gives us a roadmap for navigating politics:

1. Live honorably among non-believers (1 Peter 2:12). Represent Jesus well by reflecting His love and wisdom, even when misunderstood or opposed.

2. Submit to human authorities (1 Peter 2:13). Trust in God’s sovereignty, respecting earthly systems even when we disagree. Christians under the Roman Empire honored Christ while submitting to a deeply flawed government—so can we.

3. Use your freedom wisely (1 Peter 2:16). Christian freedom isn’t about rebelling against earthly laws; it’s about serving God faithfully within them.

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Prayer as Political Engagement

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (CSB)

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The most vital political action for Christians is prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Early Christians had little political influence, but they prayed fervently for leaders and authorities. Why? To create conditions where the gospel could flourish.

• Pray for leaders and authorities. This isn’t about aligning policies with personal preferences. Instead, pray for wisdom, justice, and peace, enabling godly living and gospel opportunities.
• Recognize the power of prayer. Prayer is spiritual warfare and evangelism combined. It shapes hearts and circumstances in ways human efforts cannot.

Make prayer for government leaders a regular practice, not to win political battles but to advance God’s Kingdom.

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Faithful Political Engagement

Colossians 3:17 (CSB)

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 reminds us that everything, including politics, should be done in Jesus’ name. Jesus challenged the religious and political powers of His time, but always with a prophetic focus—revealing God’s Kingdom, not seeking worldly power.

Jeremiah 29:7 (CSB)

“Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

Like the exiles in Babylon, our mission is to seek the welfare of our communities. Political engagement isn’t about winning arguments but blessing others, praying for them, and creating space for God’s Kingdom to shine.

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A Challenge to Consider

How can you engage politically in ways that glorify God and reflect Jesus’ character?

Winning elections pales in comparison to representing Christ’s love, grace, and compassion.

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Final Thought

Our political engagement must reflect our allegiance to Christ—not to a nation or party. As exiles, we are called to:

• Submit to authorities.
• Live with integrity.
• Pray for leaders.

Above all, keep your eyes fixed on God’s Kingdom. When we live as citizens of heaven, we represent Jesus well in a divided world.

Romans 13 and a Philosophy of Government

 

Submission is the norm; non-submission is the exception.  

— John Whittaker and Daniel McCoy, Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World

No matter who we are or what our political views may be, all of us are affected by government. The State is responsible for making and enforcing the laws that govern our country. Even in the "land of the free," it’s hard to find an area of life that the government doesn’t at least influence.

In the book Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World, authors John Whittaker and Daniel McCoy suggest reading Romans 13:1-7 and then doing this writing exercise:  

“Based on this passage and other Bible passages you have read, write a short (we are thinking a paragraph) ‘personal philosophy of government’ that will help you filter out the noise and stay focused on the main things to look for in candidates and expect from the government” (p. 20).

As much as I have thought about politics throughout my life, I realized I have never done something like this. I don’t have a “personal philosophy of government” and figure that it would be good to have one before I deliver the sermon, Clarity about Politics, as part of the Clarity: Think Clearly About Life’s Tough Topics series.

First, here are a few observations I have about Romans 13:1-7:

1. This passage is a continuation of Paul’s teaching about not taking revenge because it is God’s responsibility to avenge wrongdoing. I think this is crucial to remember because it not only explains why God allows the State to wield the sword (we often see God using different kings and kingdoms as instruments of judgment throughout Scripture), but also why Christians are to submit to authority (verses 4-5). 

 

2. Governing authorities exist because they are instituted by God. In the case of the United States, this begins with constitutions—both individual state constitutions and the federal constitution. The United States is governed by the rule of law, not by monarchies or dictators. 

 

3. The most important role of government is to maintain law and order. God allows governments because, left to our own devices, people often take advantage of one another. Government exists to enforce contracts between parties, ensure fair commerce, and punish those who abuse the system. 

 

4. Christians are expected to submit to governing authorities, not because they are always good, but because even when they are bad, they prevent chaos from reigning. Remember, Paul is telling Christians to submit to authorities who are ruthless, crucify rebels, maintain an oppressive tax system, and encourage emperor worship (just to name a few). We should not be planning a revolt against our government, no matter how unjust it might seem.

Personal Philosophy of Government  

Government is instituted by God to maintain peace and promote the prosperity of the nation. It does this by issuing and enforcing just laws, creating and maintaining infrastructure that promotes commerce and safe travel, protecting the liberty of individuals, bringing justice to lawbreakers, and providing for the common defense. To do this job well requires intelligent and virtuous leaders and fair taxes. This allows government to operate in such a way that it pleases God.

I’m not entirely satisfied with this statement, but I do think it provides a nice starting point for refining my thoughts.

This exercise highlights the reality that most people don’t have a thought-out philosophy of government. This leads to the unfortunate fact that people tend to vote based on what they perceive to be their own self-interest. Instead of seeking wise counsel, many people vote based on what seems right to them.  

That describes the state of American political discourse at the moment.