{"id":2294618,"date":"2024-07-14T11:58:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-14T15:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-pandemonium-of-politics-should-christians-really-engage-in-it\/"},"modified":"2024-07-14T12:00:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-14T16:00:40","slug":"the-pandemonium-of-politics-should-christians-really-engage-in-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-pandemonium-of-politics-should-christians-really-engage-in-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pandemonium of Politics: Should Christians Really Engage in It?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-pandemonium-of-politics-should-christians-really-engage-in-it%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2294618&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses \u2063the importance of Christians\u2062 engaging in politics and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ag-barr-destroys-his-name-for-all-eternity-his-actions-today-confirm-he-is-just-another-card-carrying-swamp-rat\/\" title=\"AG Barr Destroys His Name for All Eternity - His Actions Today Confirm He Is Just Another Card-Carrying Swamp Rat\">public square<\/a>. The author argues\u200b that just as evangelism can be challenging and offensive,\u200c so too can political engagement. \u2064She emphasizes that Christians are called to be lights in the world and defend \u200dwhat is right \u2064according to\u200b God&#8217;s standards. The author \u2062also highlights\u2063 the dangers \u200cof removing truth from \u2064the public square, as\u2063 something \u2062else will inevitably fill that void. Ultimately, the article encourages\u2063 Christians to\u200d be\u200b active \u2062in \u2064politics \u2062out \u2064of love for their neighbors and\u2063 as a way \u200dto fulfill their role in society as stewards of God&#8217;s creation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"> <?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/commentary\/\">  Commentary <\/a>   <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/washingtonstand\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/washingtonstand\/%20\"><span>Sarah Holliday, The Washington Stand<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   July 14, 2024 at 6:30am <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>\u201cI think what you\u2019re doing is good,\u201d she said to me, a Christian journalist. \u201cBut I guess my question is, why should Christians engage in politics in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a reasonable inquiry, what she asked. And in no way did I feel it was ill-willed. Rather, it was straight to the point and, indeed, a common reaction to believers who take their faith to the public square. After all, why can\u2019t we just stick with plain and simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/evangelism-sharing-gospel-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evangelism<\/a>? Why must we get into the chaotic realm of politics?<\/p>\n<p>If asked several years ago these same questions, I would\u2019ve argued that Christians\u00a0should\u00a0stay out of politics. It can be a confusing topic to navigate, especially when considering a verse like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A2&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 Timothy 2:2<\/a>, where Paul encourages us to \u201clead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, arguably, this verse isn\u2019t meant to deter us from political engagement. Rather, it\u2019s a roadmap to how we are to behave. Be it in the public square or in our private lives, we are constantly bearing witness to God\u2019s truth, and we are called to do so in love.<\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s the catch: Plain and simple, evangelism isn\u2019t necessarily a walk in the park either.<\/p>\n<p>To share the gospel message with someone, emphasizing their sin and their need of saving, is inherently offensive. We like to pretend it only gets dicey when we start talking about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-chinese-have-us-over-a-barrel-of-wet-bats-greg-gutfeld-says-us-might-not-sue-china-if-american-money-funded-research\/\" title=\"\u2018The Chinese Have Us Over A Barrel Of Wet Bats\u2019: Greg Gutfeld Says US Might Not Sue China If American Money Funded Research\">pro-life matters<\/a> or LGBT ideology because they\u2019re \u201ctoo political.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But really, these topics aren\u2019t political. They\u2019re biblical. Not to mention, they\u2019re destined to come up in conversation with those who want to live in obedience of Scripture, as we\u2019re called to do. The Bible says, \u201cWhether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A31&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 Corinthians 10:31<\/a>). To glorify God, we abide in His Word. And His Word is still sovereign in the political public square.<\/p>\n<p>As guest host and former Congressman Jody Hice said on last Wednesday\u2019s episode of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SSBXfWatmac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington Watch<\/a>,\u201d we live in a society of people who \u201cdon\u2019t want the Bible in any shape, form, or fashion.\u201d The term \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/christian-nationalism-truth-left-doesnt-want-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christian nationalism<\/a>\u201d is heavily weaponized by the Left in order to scare believers into avoiding political engagement. There are countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to pushing Christianity out of the public square.<\/p>\n<p>But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+12%3A43-45&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 12:43-45<\/a> talks about the return of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-the-bible-really-says-about-demons-and-demon-possession\/\" title=\"What The Bible Really Says About Demons And Demon Possession\">unclean spirit<\/a>, which makes clear, \u201cWhen the unclean spirit has gone out of a person,\u201d it comes back to a house found \u201cswept\u201d and \u201cempty\u201d with \u201cseven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.\u201d Such is true of our political climate.<\/p>\n<p>Like many believers, David Closson, who serves as Family Research Council\u2019s director of the Center for Biblical Worldview, is a proponent of the separation of church and state. As it was originally intended, this separation keeps the government from meddling with the church \u2014 not the other way around. Because as Closson told Hice, \u201cthe separation of morality and government\u201d is simply not possible. The parable of the unclean spirit proves something will fill a space left vacant. As such, if truth is pulled from the public square, what else is there to fill it other than lies?<\/p>\n<p>Closson said, \u201c[T]here is no such thing as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/understanding-jordan-petersons-connections-to-prophetic-christian-truth\/\" title=\"Understanding Jordan Peterson\u2019s Connections To Prophetic Christian Truth\">naked public square<\/a>.\u201d Ultimately, \u201cAll legislation is imposing someone\u2019s morality.\u201d Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+13%3A1&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 13:1b<\/a> states, \u201cFor there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.\u201d Certainly, in the final analysis, God is sovereign over all things. And yet, we have a role to play, and that role involves not allowing the political house to be void of truth.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=James+1%3A22&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James 1:22<\/a> says to be \u201chearers only\u201d of the Word is to deceive ourselves. It\u2019s an incomplete picture. We aren\u2019t called to be mere \u201chearers,\u201d but we are to be \u201cdoers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As James went on to say, \u201cThe one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=James+1%3A25&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James 1:25<\/a>) Did you catch that? \u201cA doer who acts.\u201d We are called to act, and the political arena, as messy as it may be, is no exception. It, too, is in desperate need of the truth \u2014 the truth we possess in (and only in) Christ!<\/p>\n<p>As church historian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ligonier\/p\/C7ZTCYoMC5T\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robert Godfrey<\/a> once said, \u201cLove is always truthful, and truth is always loving.\u201d Which is exactly why Closson posed the question: \u201cCan you really say you love your neighbor in a comprehensive way if you\u2019re not engaged in the public square, where so many decisions are made that directly impact the welfare of your neighbor?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re called to be stewards of our time, resources, and our vote. Not to mention, Closson added, \u201cThere are all sorts of examples throughout the Bible where people are \u2026 engaging in government,\u201d such as Jeremiah, Joseph, and Daniel. \u201cGovernment is not something that\u2019s inherently dirty.\u201d Really, the very fact that politics seem so dirty and grim is reason enough for Christians to stand boldly in the midst of it, for we are called to be lights.<\/p>\n<p>As lights, we strive to make an impact and defend what\u2019s right according to God\u2019s standard. We use our voices in the public square, because while \u201cwe do evangelism first and foremost,\u201d Closson said, \u201cwe also engage this political process because we love our neighbors, and we love our friends.\u201d We engage, Hice added, \u201cbecause God instituted politics and government. \u2026 God created the family, He created the church, and He created government. And for us to say we\u2019re [only] going to engage two out of three \u2026 is missing the mark that God has laid out for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/bible-discovery-researchers-find-small-relic-previously-unknown-depiction-jesus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bible<\/a> may not directly address everything, but it certainly lays out a roadmap of principals for practically everything. We find in the Bible instances where it says \u201cthus sayeth the Lord,\u201d Closson noted, and we use that as our foundation for all that we do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c[U]nless Jesus Christ is on the ballot, we\u2019re always choosing between the lesser of two evils whether we\u2019re voting for president or county dogcatcher,\u201d Closson said. But we aren\u2019t trying to transform an imperfect government into a perfect one. No, in this imperfect system, we are pointing to a perfect and mighty Savior; a gracious and sovereign Lord.<\/p>\n<p>As believers, Closson concluded, we need to navigate \u201cthese issues together and try to think as faithfully and biblically as possible.\u201d Because if we don\u2019t fight for the sanctity of life as laid out by biology and Scripture, then we only strengthen the side that wants abortion available even after birth.<\/p>\n<p>If we don\u2019t uphold the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/african-church-elder-stands-firm-denominations-rewrite-marriage-holds-bible-high-declares-word-god\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sanctity of marriage<\/a>, then we\u2019re only paving the way for the destruction of the family unit. If we don\u2019t uphold that we\u2019re all made in the image of God and born exactly the way we were intended to be born, then we are sitting idle as people destroy their lives through body mutilation.<\/p>\n<p>These are all critical battles that Christians have countless biblical reasons to engage in. But perhaps most importantly, if Christians, who represent God\u2019s own kingdom, aren\u2019t willing to proclaim that Christ is King and His truth prevails in the political field, who will?<\/p>\n<p><em>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sen-loeffler-fires-back-after-ossoff-accuses-her-of-campaigning-with-kkk-member\/\" title=\"Sen. Loeffler Fires Back After Ossoff Accuses Her of Campaigning with KKK Member\">article appeared originally<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstand.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Washington Stand<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a recent article by Sarah Holliday for The Washington Stand, the question of why Christians should engage in politics is explored. The author reflects on the common reaction to believers who bring their faith into the public sphere and discusses the importance of being a witness to God&#8217;s truth in all aspects of life, including politics. The article emphasizes that political engagement is not separate from evangelism, as both involve sharing God&#8217;s truth and love. The author argues that Christians should not shy away from political involvement, as it is necessary to uphold biblical values and defend the truth in a world that often opposes them. Ultimately, the article encourages believers to actively participate in the political process as a way to demonstrate love for their neighbors and uphold God&#8217;s standards in society<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2294619,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Senior-woman-holding-up-I-voted-sticker.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[5695,3896,11694,5250,5894],"class_list":["post-2294618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-christianity","tag-debate","tag-engagement","tag-faith","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Senior-woman-holding-up-I-voted-sticker.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2294618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2294618"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2294618\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2294619"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2294618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2294618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2294618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}