Navigating Faith and Politics: Why Demanding Doctrinal Level Purity in Politics is Problematic

By Dr. Tim Orr

In today’s world, politics has become a battlefield of not just ideologies but identities. For many Christians, the tension is palpable—how do we navigate a political landscape that seems increasingly at odds with our faith? The temptation is strong to find a political party or candidate who perfectly aligns with our beliefs and to demand doctrinal purity to measure our faithfulness. But is this approach the path Christ calls us to? As we dive into this question, we will explore compelling stories and illustrations that reveal the risks of insisting on doctrinal purity in our politics. This journey will challenge us to engage in a more nuanced, grace-filled way, reflecting the complexity of living out our faith in a fractured world.

The Imperfection of Politics: Augustine and the City of Man

The early Church, Father Augustine, provides an insightful illustration of the imperfection of politics. In his monumental work The City of God, Augustine contrasts the City of God with the City of Man. The love of God characterizes the City of God, while the love of self drives the City of Man. Augustine argues that while Christians live in the City of Man, their ultimate citizenship is in the City of God. He warns against placing ultimate hope in earthly political systems, as they are inherently flawed and driven by human desires rather than divine will. This distinction is crucial because it reminds us that while politics can address societal issues, it cannot fully embody or represent the divine values of the kingdom of God.

This idea is as relevant today as it was in Augustine’s time. Politics is an imperfect human endeavor, and to expect it to encapsulate Christian doctrine fully is to misunderstand its nature. History has shown that even the most well-intentioned political movements can fall short. For example, consider the rise and fall of Christendom, where the merging of church and state led to periods of corruption, persecution, and moral compromise. While the goal was to establish a society based on Christian values, the reality was far from the kingdom of God. Blending religious and political power often resulted in actions that contradicted the gospel it sought to promote.

The Risk of Idolatry: The Modern Golden Calf

Idolatry isn’t just about worshiping physical idols; it’s about placing ultimate trust and hope in something other than God. In today's context, politics can become a form of a modern golden calf. Take the example of a Christian community that becomes so politically entrenched that its identity is more closely tied to its political party than to its faith. They may start to see political victory as synonymous with spiritual success, believing that their party's rise to power is the key to advancing the kingdom of God. This conflation of faith and politics risks distorting the gospel message, making political allegiance a measure of one's spirituality.

This mirrors the story of the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 32). When Moses delayed coming down from Mount Sinai, the people demanded a tangible representation of their faith—a golden calf—to lead them to the promised land. In their impatience and fear, they replaced their trust in God with a visible but powerless idol. In the same way, when we demand doctrinal purity in politics and place our trust in political figures or systems to bring about God’s kingdom, we risk making politics an idol. This distorts our faith and can lead us away from the true source of hope and redemption. Idolatry in any form shifts our focus from God to human solutions, which are always limited and fallible.

The Danger of Division: The Church that Split Over Politics

In a medium-sized church in the heartland of America, politics became a wedge issue that split the congregation. During the 2016 election cycle, members who had worshipped together for years suddenly found themselves at odds. One group believed that voting for a particular candidate was a moral imperative, equating it with being a faithful Christian. Another group felt that the same candidate's policies contradicted core biblical values like justice and compassion. Despite efforts by the leadership to foster unity, the rift deepened, leading to several families leaving the church. This scenario shows how quickly political differences can escalate into divisions that harm the fellowship and mission of the Church.

This real-life story illustrates how insisting on doctrinal purity in politics can tear at the very fabric of the Christian community. The Church is called a place of unity and love, where diverse perspectives can coexist under the banner of Christ. When political allegiances become a test of faith, we forget that our primary identity is in Christ, not in our political affiliations. This doesn’t mean we abandon our convictions, but it does mean recognizing that faithful Christians can come to different conclusions about political matters. Such division can distract from the Church's mission to love God and our neighbors and to make disciples of all nations.

Engaging with Grace and Wisdom: A Pastor’s Journey

Consider the story of a pastor in a small town who struggled to navigate the political divisions within his congregation. During a contentious election season, he decided to preach a series on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), focusing on Jesus’ call to peacemaking, mercy, and humility. Rather than taking a political stance from the pulpit, he encouraged his congregation to embody these values in their political engagement. He challenged them to listen to one another, to seek common ground, and to act justly while loving mercy. By doing so, he shifted the focus from partisanship to character and witness, emphasizing how Christians should engage the world around them.

This pastor’s journey is a powerful example of how to engage in politics with grace and wisdom. He didn’t demand that his congregation adopt a specific political ideology. Instead, he reminded them of their higher calling to be salt and light in the world. By focusing on character and virtue rather than political purity, he helped his congregation navigate a divisive season with a spirit of unity and humility. The pastor's approach demonstrates that engaging deeply with political issues without allowing them to become divisive or the center of our faith is possible.

The Role of Conscience: The Dilemma of the Pro-Life Advocate

Let’s delve deeper into the personal journey of a Christian who is passionately pro-life and deeply concerned about social justice issues like racial equality and immigration. In a recent election, she found herself torn between two candidates. One was staunchly pro-life but had policies she felt were unjust toward immigrants and minorities. The other candidate advocated for social justice issues but supported abortion rights. This situation exemplifies the difficult choices Christians often face when engaging with the political process, as no candidate perfectly embodies the full spectrum of biblical values.

After much prayer, study, and counsel, she voted for the latter candidate. It was not an easy decision, and she knew it would be misunderstood by some in her church. However, her conscience led her to prioritize the broader social implications she felt would ultimately save more lives and address systemic injustices. This illustrates the complex nature of political engagement for Christians. Faithful believers may come to different conclusions on political matters, and demanding uniformity disregards the diversity of convictions within the body of Christ. This diversity of conscience is an essential aspect of the Christian community, allowing various ways to pursue justice and righteousness.

Witness to a Watching World: The Small Group’s Ripple Effect

In another example, a small group decided to tackle the issue of politics head-on. This diverse group included members across the political spectrum, from conservatives to progressives. Rather than debating who was right, they focused on understanding the biblical principles that should guide their political engagement. They studied passages like Micah 6:8 and Romans 13, seeking to apply them to contemporary issues. This approach helped them to prioritize their common identity in Christ over their political differences, showing that unity does not require uniformity in opinion.

Their discussions were difficult, and they had to navigate deep disagreements. However, through the process, they grew in their love for one another and understanding of what it means to be the body of Christ. They agreed to disagree on some issues while remaining united in their commitment to love and serve others. This small group’s experience had a ripple effect in their church and community, demonstrating that it is possible to engage in politics thoughtfully and respectfully without demanding doctrinal purity. By doing so, they provided a powerful witness to the world of what it means to live out the gospel in a divided culture.

Conclusion: A Call to Humility, Wisdom, and Unity

Demanding doctrinal purity in politics is impractical and can lead to idolatry, division, and a weakened witness. The stories and illustrations we’ve explored remind us that our engagement with politics should be marked by humility, grace, and a commitment to the common good. Our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom, transcending any political ideology or party. Keeping this perspective allows us to navigate political engagement without losing sight of our primary mission as followers of Jesus.

As we navigate the complexities of political engagement, let’s remember that the Church's mission is not to establish a theocratic rule but to be a signpost of God's coming kingdom. This means loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and walking humbly with God. By focusing on these core values, we can offer a compelling witness to a world in desperate need of the hope and love found in Christ alone. In doing so, we keep our eyes fixed on the eternal, ensuring that our political engagement points others to the true King and His coming kingdom. This approach encourages Christians to be active in their communities, influencing society positively while remaining grounded in their faith.