“In the New Testament, civic obligation is emphatically commanded alongside—indeed, as part of—the obligation to serve God,” J.I. Packer said in his article “The Bible’s Guide for Christian Activism.”
Originally published in 1985, the article—as relevant today as when Packer first wrote it—appeared in a recent issue of Christianity Today as a tribute to the theologian, who went to be with the Lord on July 17.
If you subscribe to Christianity Today, you can read it in its entirety on ChristianityToday.com. If not, we hope you will find the highlights below helpful in your quest to glorify God in today’s political environment.
“Scripture forbids [Christians] to be indifferent to the benefits that flow from good government,” Packer said. “Nor, therefore, should they hesitate to play their part in maximizing these benefits for others, as well as for themselves. The upholding of stable government by a law-abiding life, and helping it to fulfill its role by personal participation where this is possible, is as fitting for us today as it was for Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and Daniel (to look no further).”
Packer summarized several “misguided” approaches many Christians take when it comes to political duty:
- Turning the Christian faith into “a sociopolitical scheme for this present world.” While we are called to alleviate suffering and oppose social evils, we must beware of seeking social improvement without the perspective that this world is merely a training ground for Christ’s eternal kingdom.
- Withdrawing from the political process altogether. Many Christians do so as a reaction against the liberal “social gospel,” others because of eschatology (it doesn’t matter who’s in power since the world will inevitably worsen until Christ returns). Some see politics as the epitome of the worldliness and corruption we are called to avoid, and others simply feel that “civil government is unimportant since it cannot save souls.” To these people, Packer says that even if the world is destined to get worse, we should still try to make it better—and that means playing the political game, albeit without sacrificing principles.
- Viewing politics as “the modern equivalent of holy war in the Old Testament.” Packer said this mindset has no role in the Christian church; democracy requires consensus.
Packer asserted that representative democracy is the fittest and wisest form of government and the one that best reflects the dignity of humans as God’s image bearers. He believed some Christians should seek political influence and/or office, and that all Christians are obligated to:
- Be informed.
- Pray for those in power.
- Vote, keeping in mind “total community welfare” rather than single issues or the candidates’ personalities.
In summary, Packer quoted Sir Frederick Catherwood, a Christian member of the European Parliament:
“To try to improve society is not worldliness but love. To wash your hands of society is not love but worldliness.”