Why I care about politics and culture

There’s a frequent debate in Christian circles about how much we should be interested in politics and ultimately be involved in it — whatever that means. Is reading an article on religious liberty being “involved” or “entangled?” Even the notion of paying attention to politics is sometimes met with distaste as if that were beneath even the lowest in society. I get it. But I’d like to make a case for why politics should matter to Christians: Because it does.

Before you accuse me of making a circular argument here, let me explain. The fact that something is true is different than the question of whether it should be true or whether you want it to be true. Politics does impact our lives as Christians, whether we like that fact or not.

If we really believe what we say we do — that our dystopian culture needs to hear about God — then we should care about our ability to speak openly about Jesus without fear of oppression. And frankly, non-believers should care about this right, too, lest an overreaching government decide that their pet belief is no longer authorized by bureaucrats in Washington. Last I checked, the right to speak freely on faith and politics alike is guaranteed in our country by the First Amendment:

First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This brings to mind a quote from Pericles in the 5th century B.C. Greece:

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

Do you find politics interesting when the government wants to keep you from going to church or the grocery store? How about when they want to force your child to get a vaccine you don’t trust or want? Whatever you believe about the Covid vaccines, shouldn’t you have the right to choose what chemicals you put in your body, or your child’s body?

Or maybe you’ll care more about politics when they start sexualizing your kids, messing with their impressionable heads with anti-science propaganda about male vs. female biology? Will you care then?

What will it take to get you to care?

Stanton has always countered that the world of politics is merely a distraction — that voting or advocating for public policy change of any sort is getting “entangled” in the affairs of this world. Yes, political conversations can be all-consuming, but so can any subject. That is more about having a balance.

And also, 2 Timothy 2:4 means no such thing. Ironically, Paul is actually hinting to Timothy that he should join Paul in suffering for the gospel full-time, and in so many words, authorizes him to take support from the flock for that full-time suffering. That doesn’t fit the Stanton narrative, does it? Read it yourself:

2 Timothy 2:2-7 – “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

But Stanton dodges that context and goes on to tell us that it’s God who sets up kings and brings them down, not us:

Daniel 2:21 – “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

But they fail to acknowledge that we don’t live under a monarchy in America. We elect our leaders (or pretend to, but that’s a different conversation) and have been given — by God, I would argue — a voice in choosing our laws and legislators. Isn’t it a sin if we know to do good and don’t do it? I could make a compelling case that it’s a sin not to vote to improve human liberty, but I won’t go there — we already have too many rules of men to live by.

Nevertheless, if we consider freedom in America to be a blessing from God — with the freedom to worship, pray, and speak publicly about our faith or anything else — we should realize that this blessing is secured by another one: The right of self-government.

God gave America the blessing of self-government. Aren’t we despising that blessing like Esau did when we don’t appreciate it and use it for good? Shouldn’t we want to positively influence the culture our kids and grandkids will grow up in?

If this kind of conversation isn’t your cup of tea, that’s OK. I won’t use this space for a lot of political ideology, but it is something I care about, and I hope you do too. And if you don’t, I hope to inspire you to care on Truth Delta, my new Substack.

I hope you’ll check it out — please subscribe and read it for free, and support it only if you wish. Several have already, and I appreciate every reader. And if you like what I write, please help me out by sharing my Truth Delta project with a friend by finding an article you like and sharing it with them.

Here’s a recent post you can check out:

👉 The false virtue of indifference

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