Faith and Politics

So if you’re at a dinner party, what are the two topics that most of us always try to steer clear of? Of course, as a pastor, I find myself in the middle of these topics all the time – especially at social events. It’s funny. A lot of times, once people find out I’m a pastor, they either think I’m the faith police and they immediately start apologizing for not going to church. Or, they want to talk about faith. And sometimes not only do they want to talk faith – they even want to talk politics. 

And it’s so interesting. There is an assumption out there that all Christians come down in the same place when it comes to politics. Of course, being the pastor of a church, I know that’s not true. Our church is all over the place. Half are red, half are blue, so we’re purple! It’s actually more complicated than that… some are deep red, some deep blue, and every shade in between. So we’re more like brown – or grey!

But it is tough no matter what these days to have a deep, meaningful conversation around political issues. And when you mix faith in there, it can make for some dangerous waters. It always has.

In Jesus’ day, it was widely believed that when the Messiah came, he would be a political figure.  Messiah literally means king. And while he never aspired to a real political position, he represented an alternative kingdom – the kingdom of God – which was very contrary to Rome. And there is no doubt that his life, ministry, and teaching were intended to have an impact on the culture around him.

All of this raises the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day? 

Over the next several days, I’m going to offer a few thoughts. For today, I leave you with this prayer…

Let us pray: Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.