The following is adapted from How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman.
1. Join A Church.
The most powerful political action a Christian can take is to be an active member of a local church. The church is an embassy of Christ's kingdom, demonstrating an alternative politics to the world. When we gather weekly, we declare that our ultimate allegiance is to King Jesus, not any earthly ruler or party. The church models reconciliation across racial, economic, and political lines that the world cannot achieve on its own.
2. Fear God And Get Wisdom.
True Christian leadership requires a profound fear of God, not man. Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We need wisdom to navigate complex political situations, to know when to speak and when to remain silent, to discern which battles are worth fighting and which are distractions. This wisdom comes from Scripture, prayer, and the counsel of godly brothers and sisters.
3. Obey And Honor The Government.
The Bible mandates respect for governing authorities, exemplified by figures like Joseph, Daniel, and Paul. Romans 13 commands us to submit to governing authorities because they are established by God. This doesn't mean blind obedience when authorities command us to sin, but it does mean a general posture of respect and submission. We pay taxes, obey laws, and honor those in authority—even when we disagree with their policies.
4. Make Use Of Whatever Political Stewardship You Have.
Christians have a dual responsibility to obey and participate in government. If you live in a democracy, you have a stewardship that Christians in other times and places did not have. Voting, running for office, lobbying, writing letters, attending town halls—these are all ways we can pursue justice and promote the common good. To neglect these opportunities is to bury our talents.
5. Know Your Political Culture's Supreme Values (Or Idols) And Look For Common Ground.
American culture prioritizes freedom above all else. Understanding this helps us communicate effectively. We can find common ground with non-Christians on many issues: caring for the poor, protecting religious liberty, promoting justice. But we must also recognize when cultural values become idols that compete with allegiance to Christ.
6. Be A Principled Pragmatist In Your Public-Square Arguments.
Christians should approach political engagement with a principled pragmatism. We hold to absolute moral principles from Scripture, but we apply them with wisdom in a pluralistic society. Sometimes we must settle for incremental progress rather than total victory. We work within imperfect systems while maintaining our integrity and witness.
7. Be Willing To Invoke God In Your Arguments.
Christians should not shy away from openly expressing their faith in the public square. Our convictions are rooted in our beliefs about God, humanity, and morality. While we should make arguments that non-Christians can understand, we need not hide our motivations. We can say, "I believe this because I follow Jesus, who taught..."
8. Practice Convictional Kindness.
Effective public engagement requires a balance of conviction and kindness. We must hold firmly to truth while treating opponents with gentleness and respect. This means listening well, avoiding personal attacks, assuming the best about others' motivations, and being willing to admit when we're wrong. Our tone should match our message of grace.
9. Do Not Attribute Your Interpretation Of Historical Events To Providence.
Christians should exercise caution when attributing specific events to God's direct intervention. We know God is sovereign over all history, but we should be humble about claiming to know His specific purposes in particular events. "God caused this hurricane to punish that city" is presumptuous. We can trust God's sovereignty without claiming to fully understand His ways.
10. Know Your Own Party's Strengths, Weaknesses, And Idolatrous Trajectories.
Christians should approach political parties with discernment. No party perfectly aligns with biblical values. Each has strengths to celebrate, weaknesses to critique, and idolatrous tendencies to resist. We should be willing to criticize our own party and agree with opponents when they're right. Our primary identity is in Christ, not a political party.
11. Be Prepared On Occasion To Disobey The State.
Christians may face situations where obedience to government conflicts with obedience to God. The apostles declared, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). History is full of examples: hiding Jews in Nazi Germany, worshiping despite persecution, refusing to participate in abortion. We must be prepared to suffer consequences for righteous disobedience.
12. Pray For Government.
The power of prayer in shaping world events cannot be underestimated. Paul commands us to pray "for kings and all who are in high positions" (1 Tim 2:1-2). We pray for wisdom for our leaders, for justice in our courts, for peace in our land. We pray for our enemies in government and for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
