I’ve decided to launch a new category on this blog called “A Christian Perspective”. I will continue to write mostly devotional content, but I think it is necessary to start talking about some of the things a lot of Christians are either too wary of talking about, or mistakenly believe is “un-christian” to talk about in the first place.

You may have been told that politics do not belong in the pulpit. You might have been subtly shamed by other Christians for bringing up uncomfortable controversial topics. You might have been the one doing the shaming. I know for a long time I thought that politics did not belong in the pulpit, and that Christians should be so busy with spreading the Kingdom of Heaven that we should not worry or spend any time with the concerns of this world.

There is some truth to that. If by talking about politics or policy you have the effect of closing more doors than opening them, then you should probably look more at how you talked about it and less of what you talked about. That said though, our Christianity should be so pervasive that it gives a unique and godly (and world changing) perspective in everything that you talk about, on every topic. In fact, engaging in political discussions should enable you to be a light in that discussion (see Matthew 5:13-16). It should end with the person asking why you believe what you believe, and where you get all these ideas on what is right and what is wrong. It should be an easy segway into the gospel.

The Bible has a lot to say about governments, and how they should be run. The Bible has a lot to say about policy, and what we should base it on. The Bible has a lot to say about ethics and morals, upon which governments and civilizations codify law. It is inescapable not to talk about politics and policy as as Christian and at the same time work out your salvation with fear and trembling (or live out, see Phil. 2:12).

In case you are still not sure about this whole “Christian Perspective” on politics and policy thing let me remind you that a major part of where modern civilization gets its concept of law comes directly from the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20). God Himself has a law, and gave this law to His people, a nation who was to be salt and light to the world around them through their obedience to His law. In obeying this just law, it was to demonstrate a just God.

[1Ki 8:41-43 NKJV] 41 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who [is] not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 “(for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 “hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as [do] Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.

Some of my favorite books in the Bible touch on topics that are extremely controversial. National security (Nehemiah sent to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem). War and peace (God Himself is a warrior, and yet there is a time for war and a time for peace). Types of governments (Theocracy v. Monarchy, concepts of democracy in the proverbs, etc.). Law as applied in a nation that follows God, and what to do when laws go against God’s law (the 10 Commandments, Leviticus, Israel in Exile, etc.). These are just a few of the topics that the Christian, who reads the Bible, has a lot to say and a lot to add when the topic is brought up.

It is true that you are a citizen of the heavenly city if you have given your heart to Christ.

[Heb 11:16 NKJV] 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly [country]. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Your allegiance should always be to God first, and your desire and hope is that the Lord would return and bring with him justice to the wicked and salvation to the righteous.

But, in the mean time, like the prophets of old, you have to live in this earthly vessel and “do business until I [He] come[s]” (Luke 19:13). Your business should be done in such a way that you win others to Christ, and your business includes every facet of your life. It includes everything the Bible talks about, and the Bible talks just about everything.

You can win others to Christ by talking about politics and policy. You can bless others when you inform them of biblical perspectives.

[Psa 33:12 NKJV] 12 Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

You can even help make your nation into a Christian nation, whose God is the LORD, and who will be blessed by that.

You can talk politics, and you can do it for the Lord.

[1Co 10:31 NKJV] 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Just make sure that the way that you do it is in love.

[1Co 16:14 NKJV] 14 Let all [that] you [do] be done with love.

If you think that talking about politics will close a door to the gospel, then close your mouth. But, more often than not, Christians are closing their mouths more out of a desire to be accepted rather than out of godly motivations to share the gospel instead. If you, as a Christian, start to talk Christian ethics and Christian morals and how those biblically relate to government your view will more than likely be an unpopular one. But that is not a reason to keep your mouth shut. Its all the more to proclaim, like Moses from the Mount, the biblical principles of truth which will stand long after the foundations of the world have faded away.