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Jesus’ Political Views

October 4th, 2014

What were Jesus’ political views? If we knew them it would hopefully guide our voting principles. First of all, Jesus was not, as some suggest, indifferent to politics. As the theologian and statesman Abraham Kuyper once observed, “In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, ‘That is mine!’ ”Nevertheless, he did not endorse any political platform because he knew that politics are merely a superficial manifestation of the inner man. Hence, it was his practice to address matters of the heart – justice, mercy, love, mans need for his atoning work – and the eternal consequences that accompany our attitudes toward each. The result was that he condemned elements of every group for their sinfulness and refusal to obey God, while affirming others for their obedience.
Secondly, we learn that Jesus was not seeking political transformation of society, but spiritual transformation. There is a difference. We evangelicals can tend to believe that societal reform is a top-down process: Remove President Barack Obama and frustrate initiatives of the Democratic Party and you’re well on your way. By contrast, Jesus did not consider Pilate or Tiberius the root of the problem. They were representative of a systemic cultural rot. Wicked people make wicked laws. Change the people, and you change the laws they make.
Finally, Jesus understood that while party affiliation may be an expression of one’s deeply held convictions it does nothing to put you in right standing with God. To lose sight of this is to confuse conversion to a political platform with conversion to being a saved disciple of Jesus. To be clear, Christians should exercise their political rights, but we should never place our hopes in the political process. Hope is found neither in politicians nor in the laws they enact but in Jesus Christ alone.
Adapted from an article written by Larry Alex Taunton, the founder and executive director of Fixed Point Foundation.

  • Byron Earnheart I think it difficult to put Jesus into today’s political spectrum…and I say that as a red stater, capitalist, southern, white male. If we hold to caring for “the least of these” then we are not too far from the basics of Obamacare. If we are capitalists then we hold to the Parable of the Talents. If we hold only to “render to Caeser” then we are libertarian but hold the door wide open to social issues that fly in the face of God. So there’s problems. My point is that bringing a first century Jew in Roman occupied Palestine into 21st century Western politics (without consideration of what Scripture says per issue) we will run aground very quickly. Yes we should be politically active and make our stands wholeheartedly unwaveringly based on Scripture but we, as Americans are quick to pigeonhole Jesus to our own sinful political views. I say “sinful” because I see so much on the right and left’s political viewpoints that are pridefully based. The issue is truly our hearts before Holy God. There will be folks in Heaven that supported Obamacare (shocking!) and there will be folks in Heaven that think bankers aren’t evil incarnate (speaking as a banker of course ). But you said it best…our hope is not in the political system! Our hope is in Christ alone!
    October 2 at 10:41pm · Like · 2
  • Wendyl Leslie The truth is that our government cannot save us.And, sadly, there’s a lot folks who think it can. These poor, misguided folks talk more about how their party or their “man” will make all ills go away, bring happiness and prosperity, etc., than they do about the gospel of Christ.

    Paul tells us what our attitude toward our government should be in Romans 13:1-7. The most important takeaway is this: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).
    October 3 at 5:28am · Like · 1
  • Byron Earnheart Still though I think there’s room for civil discourse and disobedience. Taking Romans 13 solely can lead to being more passive than I believe is warranted. If ALL “rebellion” is sinful than the apostles sinned numerous times in the book of Acts. That said, it is a thin red line we must walk and I fear the Church, especially in America, has been quick to try and force Jesus to be on “their” side of the aisle.
    October 4 at 12:13am · Like · 1
  • Robert Pristoop Just looking at some historical revolts, Jesus was on the side of the revolt. Israel would tolerate different empires as controllers as long as they could worship God properly. Israel did not revolt against Rome until it stopped the sacrifice and put a statue in the Holy of Holies. Mattathias refused to worship Greek Gods and sacrifice unclean animals on the altar. Jesus stated to render to Cesar what was Cesar’s as long as the people could worship God properly. But since Jesus was seeking spiritual transformation and changed the entire sacrificial system-he has to be included with the revolt.
    October 4 at 2:16pm · Like
  • Jed Kramer I was intrigued by this post when I originally saw it, but didn’t have time to respond until now. I have struggled with a duty to vote and no candidates for whom I would like to vote. In the past few years I’ve thought a lot about government, the Bible on government, and a Christian’s responsibility to government. I like what each of you have said. However, my first thought was to go back to the time of judges when God discouraged the Israelites from having a king. This is much like what Wendyl Leslie mentioned in regard to viewing a particular politician as our champion instead of God himself. As Steve Ray Webbsaid, Jesus changes people who change government; government doesn’t change people. It may seem un-American, but I don’t think God has a preferred form of government … monarchy, democracy, whatever. I do believe that population density and complexity of society requires a government with greater sophistication than earlier forms. Given the form our forefathers chose, and its development up to the present time, I don’t believe that Jesus would belong to any particular party. While I think he would vote based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, I can’t be sure of that via scripture. Even so, we should vote as one manner of serving our fellow citizens. While needs are met apart from government, many needs are met by government. Our vote partially directs government to administer God’s grace in various ways. (a 1Peter 4:10 application)
    12 hrs · Like · 1
  • Byron Earnheart He also said those that live by the sword shall die by it in Matthew…He also led a “revolt” during this “proper worship” of God while in the Temple. So was He a political revolutionary? Herein lies the problem. He was, at the same time, a pacifist and, to some extent MORE revolutionary than those politically active Jews! There was no image of Caesar in the Temple when he over turned the money changers. His concern was the Kingdom of Heaven as He told Pilate. We can fast run aground of putting earthly political labels on the ministry of Jesus (and that’s really my point).

    What we do have to do is admit that our very well reasoned political beliefs may in fact be wrong…or, more likely, be categorized as non-essentials. Before people blast me…yes there are some political issues that are more essential than others in that they fly in the face of Holy God. When man declares sin to be good…we have a problem. That is beyond question. However, to apply WWJD to complicated political issues that face 21st century America (the only era that I can relate too) is a slippery slope and, I fear, we as the Church do more harm than good when we try and politicize Jesus on some topics.

    I think we have to consider our main mission here…spread the Gospel! If my views on Obamacare and how deeply I hold them are an obstacle to someone’s salvation, then I am deeply wrong no matter what facts I bring up to support my claim. The bigger issue is that I have to answer for being a stumbling block in the eyes of Holy God on an issue that, in light of eternity, matters very little.
    12 hrs · Like · 1
  • Jed Kramer Great final point Byron Earnheart! (the stumbling block point … not the seconding of me. haha)

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