Faith & Politics
How should a Christian be political? Is it any different than how a church should be political?
How should a Christian be political? Is it any different than how a church should be political?
Every pastor desires to see his congregation formed theologically. Part of this theological formation involves thinking through a number of questions that relate to church and state.
When I refer to the ethics of voting, I mean I’m interested in what makes a vote sinful or permissible. I’m not asking what makes a vote good or wise.
We feel the political heat for different reasons, but we all feel it. How do we endure? Here are thirteen principles for pastoring through political turmoil.
For any pastor troubled by how members of his church may vote in November, instead of using your pulpit to publicly endorse a candidate, perhaps it would be better to patiently disciple your congregation toward Christ-like maturity.
Where do we first beat swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks? Where should love of enemy first dissolve a nation’s tribalism? Where should Lincoln’s "just and lasting peace" first take root and grow?
Our gospel, the gospel of justification by faith alone, is profoundly political. It creates a new body politic, one where there’s no boasting. And it sends us as ambassadors with a message of peace for all who would look to King Jesus and live.
The government’s job description: To administer the justice requisite for protecting human life, secure the conditions necessary for fulfilling the dominion mandate, and provide a platform for God’s people to declare God’s perfect judgment and salvation.
Don’t put too much hope in government. But don’t give up on it either. Churches need good governments.
Christians’ political thinking and conduct should always reflect the fact that our governments are in covenant with God through the Noahic covenant.
Be wary of anyone who casts their political strategy and positions on less clear matters with a “thus saith the Lord” level of certainty.
How do we as Christians know when we’re putting too much hope in politics?
The prophetic nature of the church is to live and speak as a people unembarrassed by the power of the gospel.
Civil religion, when it remains unevaluated and unchecked by the Word of God, can easily run amok. It can present the nation as God, as the savior of the world, as the last best hope on earth.
To what extent should the government use its coercive power to enforce Christian ethics?
Jonathan Leeman chats about what the Noahic covenant teaches us about biblical justice.
Jonathan Leeman explains how good government helps people to hear the gospel.
How should Americans in general and Christians in particular understand what the “separation of church and state” means? Jonathan Leeman explains.
Christians ought to put their political hope not in their favorite candidate, but in their local church. Jonathan Leeman explains how the gospel shapes the Christian’s political involvement.
How does what we worship shape our desired political outcomes? In this clip, Jonathan Leeman tries to answer that difficult question.
