The issue isn’t going away. Christians can and should be engaged in civil government. There are always some who say that Christians should just stay out of it. But the whole world belongs to our God, and it is right for us to be engaged.
During the Reformation, there were separatists within Christianity who argued that it was sinful for Christians to be involved in government in any way. These people were called “Anabaptists,” and they are the spiritual ancestors of separatist groups like the Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites. They didn’t want to be involved in secular government, but wanted to be left alone to govern their own Christian communities. The Lutheran reformers argued back, on the basis of Scripture, that civil government in instituted by God (Rom. 13:1-7). Government isn’t a dirty business; it is God’s business. He instituted it, and it is right for Christians to be involved. So the reformers confessed,
“It is right for Christians to hold political office, to serve as judges, to judge matters by imperial laws and other existing laws, to impose just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to take oaths when required by the magistrates, for a man to marry a wife, or a woman to be given in marriage” (Augsburg Confession, Article XVI, 2).
In our current day, there are still some Anabaptists around, but we hear it more from those outside the Church. Someone who works for biblical justice in civil government will likely be called a “Christian nationalist,” although no one is quite clear on what, exactly, that means. In our age of identity politics, someone who comes with a different worldview is said to be offering their “lived experience.” Do Christians also have a civil right to use our consciences in civil government? Of course, we do, especially since our consciences are informed by the Word of God.
We should be careful, though. There is a temptation to use civil government to do things it’s not supposed to do. And this is where there is some kind of Christian nationalism that we should reject. Civil government should not be used to perform functions that belong to the Church. Martin Luther identified a distinction between God’s two kingdoms. In one kingdom, the Church, God works to forgive sins and transform hearts. The Church is where he makes and strengthens Christians. His other kingdom is the state. This is where he institutes rulers who punish wrongdoers, ensure peace, and protect justice. Both kingdoms belong to God, but he does different things through them. It was with this understanding that the reformers affirmed that Christians can and should be engaged in civil government.
In our nation, there are many opportunities to be engaged in civil government. We have the opportunity to vote. You might serve in law enforcement or the military. You might work in some other form of public employment. You might even run for office. As you participate in these civil institutions, remember that you do so as a Christian. There is no part of our lives that God’s Word does not speak to. And even if his Name isn’t printed on the door, it all belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. So we should be faithful in all we do there, and we should be confident that our Lord Jesus is truly in control.
The peace of Christ be with you all,
Pastor Dan Antal