There are some things that just go together: Peanut butter and chocolate. Summer and Michigan. TSA and angry people. But how do the words “Christian” and “Politics” fit? Are they friends or enemies? Should Christians keep their views to themselves, or should they be running for office? How do we make and shape policy? The question that comes up most often is, which political party and candidate should a Christian support?
Hot button issues like Roe vs Wade, gun control and immigration are highly personal but also largely theological. And also the lens in which our are the lens beliefs get fleshed out. Sadly it seems that a Christian worldview is often silent on issues that matter to the health of society.
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal indicated that 46 million Americans moved because of the political party represented by their state. Like players in a game of Candyland, people hop from red states to blue states and the other way around. I met a woman who was leaving California for Tennessee. She was emotional, it was hard for her to uproot her family, but she was convinced that this was best.
The church will be forced to face a tidal wave of geographic upheaval as ideology moves in and replaces an all too quiet Christian worldview. I wonder if we will remain a “United States” or a “Divided States” in a few short years. And how will this shape the next generation of faith seekers and the church that is trying to reach them?
It’s important to remember that before we serve our politics, we must serve the Maker of all powers and principalities. Polarization is inevitable if we let it sway the values and beliefs we claim to hold. As Christians, we must be light in the very dark places of our world. And we must dig deep into what it means to follow Jesus into all areas of public service. So, let’s make a commitment each day to let Jesus’ hope and light shine before others (Matthew 5:16).
Ron Aulbach 
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