Politics and the kingdom of Christ

The following thoughts concerning the presidential election of 2016 were provoked as the result of an exchange between myself and a dear brother in Christ whom I have always counted as a close friend, even though our ministry took us separate directions many years ago.

Politics and the kingdom of the Christ

John 18:36

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

As Christians living in America we have a right that was unheard of in the days of Jesus. We have a say in who governs over us. Scripture neither commands nor forbids our participation in the political realm. However, that participation must be balanced with the fact our true citizenship is in the kingdom of Christ. For that reason what we choose to do, and the degree we choose to do it, is a matter of faith for each believer, and that faith must be respected by all other believers.

This election year the passions are particularly inflamed with Christians of all different political leanings alarmed at how they perceive things to be going. I personally believe we truly are in a cultural battle the likes of which we haven’t experienced since the war between the states. The form of that battle is not with flesh and blood and weapons, but it is nevertheless a very real battle. That battle will not end with this election.

For that reason I am equally passionate about reminding you of these things...

First – We are Americans second, and Christians first.

     Of all the citizens of the US, those who are unashamed of the gospel have the most difficult choice in elections. You see, we don’t have the luxury of weighing strictly on political or economic issues. We are compelled to also think spiritually – to weigh good and evil, right and wrong. We cannot simply vote for someone. We have to be true to our own heart. We wrestle with the choices at hand and our own convictions and principles. We cannot leave our faith outside the voting booth because it is our faith that informs and governs our lives.

    As a result, different Christians, with equal love of God, may come to opposing conclusions on who to vote for, or whether to even vote at all. While we may vehemently disagree with one another as to the fitness of any given candidate, every vote we cast is for this life only. Unless Jesus returns first, every vote we cast and every argument we have will become absolutely irrelevant when we take our last breath. If Jesus tarries long enough this country will go the same way as every other human government that has ever existed along with all the debates.

    Politics are temporary, but the kingdom of Christ is eternal. For this reason every single one of us must be extra diligent in maintaining the unity of the spirit in the midst of our political disagreements. Satan loves nothing more than to use that which is human and temporary to tear down that which is spiritual and eternal.

Second – Christ’s kingdom is not of this world.

    King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream – A great statue, gold at the top and mixed iron with clay at the bottom. The statue represented the great kingdoms of the earth beginning with his until the Roman empire. A great rock cut without human hands was cast on to the statue breaking it to pieces. The rock itself became a great mountain that filled the entire earth (Daniel 2). The great mountain is the kingdom of Christ.

     Even though there have been many kingdoms since that of Rome, the kingdom of Christ has continued to spread throughout the whole earth, calling people from every nation and language and culture through the gospel of Jesus, forever binding us all together with the gift of God’s own spirit. Whether we came to Christ in freedom, or we came to Christ while under tyranny, we have all been given a new name, a new spirit, a new life, a new hope. That will continue to be true regardless who is in power. Human governments will rise and fall, but the kingdom of God will endure forever.

    Because Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, its citizens likewise are not of this world. Yet we live in this world, and it is here that our physical and spiritual parts clash.

The world is of darkness, but we are of light.

The world is of deception, but we are of truth.

The world is of corruption, but we are of purity and holiness.

The world is of fear, but we are of courage.

The world is of death, but we are of life.

The world, and all its inhabitants, is passing away, but we endure forever.

Greatest of all, the world is of hate, but we are of love.

     This political season do not allow the mindset of the world to infect the spirit of God which dwells within you. It was the blood of Jesus that redeemed us from the world. Do not allow your political convictions to undo what Christ has done.

   For the next few weeks continue the discussion and debates. Contend earnestly for what you believe is good and right. When you cast your vote, do it in faith and understanding, and do not allow anyone to judge you for your convictions.  And then, regardless of the outcome, and I mean  REGARDLESS, remember this – Our citizenship is in heaven and it is not of this world. We are Americans second and brothers and sisters in Christ first and foremost.

Thinking and belief in God

I recently came across an article in the Independent (UK) titled "What belief in God does to your brain."( http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/what-believing-in-god-does-to-your-brain-a6950956.html ).  The article was based upon studies over the last decade and reflects only one of the possible interpretations of the findings.  Given the mentality of this world I have no doubt the interpretation provided in the article will become the defacto position of those who have a vested interest in painting the gospel of Jesus in the worst possible light.

Here is the opening paragraph.

"Humans suppress areas of the brain used for analytical thinking and engage the parts responsible for empathy in order to believe in god, research suggests. They do the opposite when thinking about the physical world, according to the study.

"When there's a question of faith, from the analytic point of view, it may seem absurd," said Professor Tony Jack, who led the research.

"But, from what we understand about the brain, the leap of faith to belief in the supernatural amounts to pushing aside the critical/analytical way of thinking to help us achieve greater social and emotional insight.""

As I considered the claims I recognized there is some truth in them, for I have often observed to others that there seems to be no correlation between one's intelligence and what one chooses to believe religiously.   However, has science actually provided proof that to believe in God one must suspend analytical thinking? Has science provided proof that faith is inherently irrational?

I would argue "No, science has done nothing of the kind."  Lest I be accused of suspending analytical thinking to make such a statement, and thereby prove the scientific research as valid, allow me to explain.


I know of nothing more reasonable, or more rational, than belief in God. The studies referenced in the article assume no distinction between belief in God or belief in any other supernatural being or religion. In other words, all are assumed to be equal. Yet I would make the case that all religion and belief is not equal.  This case is based upon a careful analysis of religious belief, and hence is at its heart analytical.

Scripture: Reasonable, or Irrational?

The case begins with a reasoned, rational look a the Bible itself. It has to begin here, for anything we might say about God is found here.  Without going into  excessive detail,  the Bible as we know it is simply the compilation of writings penned over a period of 1,500 years by men of various languages, education, vocation, and social status.  These men recorded what they and others saw and heard with their own eyes and ears.  The testimony of scripture is that everything God did, He did in the open and in the public eye. 


Therefore, it is the claim of the writers that they are recording actual historical events even if their narrative doesn't correspond to the modern definition of historical writing.  The modern approach of rejecting these claims simply because we do not believe them is not analytical, rational, nor reasonable.  


One of the great purposes of scripture was to record for future generations the fact of a living God engaged in the affairs of mankind.  This fact was presented against the backdrop of hundreds and thousands of so called gods who were nothing more than the figments of human imagination.  When it comes to a scientific study of the brain and belief in God, the researchers have to take into consideration the possibility that one's belief in God is based upon one's careful consideration of things that are presented as historical facts. A person who chooses not to believe those facts cannot make the assumption those who do believe do so on some basis other than reasoned, analytical consideration.

God: Reasonable or Irrational?

The case continues with a reasoned consideration of God Himself. Belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not equal to a belief in Zeus, Ishtar, Baal, or a thousand other gods.  It is quite evident to the rational mind that a god that is carved from stone or wood by human hands, and whose attributes are ascribed by human imagination, is no god at all.  For such a god, one has no choice but to believe without reasonable, rational reason to do so, for there is no reasonable, rational evidence of their existence.  For such a god, one believes because one chooses to believe, and not because it makes sense. 

Leaving the ancient past and considering the modern era, those who believe in various spiritualities do so because those beliefs satisfy a desire in their heart.  They may think their belief is based upon evidence, but when that evidence is analyzed it is found to be highly subjective at best. Where is the evidence that the Wiccan truly controls magical forces? Where is the evidence that crystals truly channel healing energies. Where is the evidence that people are genuinely reincarnated? Where is the evidence that the star and planets determine days and destinies?  Where is the evidence that the ancient gods and goddesses who are again being worshiped have any life or power or existence?

For all these I agree with the science.  For such things, people must set aside reasoned, analytical thinking, and base their choice upon something far more subjective.

But what if in all this, there is a God who has actually revealed Himself? What if, among the thousands of man made gods and religions and spiritual beliefs, there is one that was not created in the hearts of humans?  The only way one will come to that determination is through a reasoned, rational analysis of the claims of those who were witnesses. 

Those who were involved in the penning of scripture made constant reference to the actions of God in the plain sight of all. Unlike the gods of all the nations, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was not limited to just His people. He was God over all, whether He was dealing with the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, or even the Romans. 

Those who were appointed to be the apostles of Jesus made certain everyone understood that everything they preached they preached as eye witnesses. They were with Jesus. They heard him. They touched him. They took part in his ministry. They saw him condemned to death. They saw him buried. They saw him alive 3 days later. And it wasn't just them. Hundreds and thousands of people were all eye witnesses of Jesus.  Even in their day, the claims made about Jesus were perceived as incredible and unbelievable. Yet those who did believe did so because they could not ignore the strength of the testimony.

The point in this is those who then heard for the first time about God and Jesus believed, not because they turned off analytical thinking, but because they were presented facts testified by eye witnesses. Those who previously worshiped man made gods ceased their irrational belief and embraced rational, reasoned belief.

Faith: Reasonable or Irrational?

The case also needs to consider the nature of faith.  It seems to be the general assumption that faith requires a suspension of rational thinking.  Unfortunately the example of many Christians seems to support that view. However, christian malpractice of faith is not the nature of faith.


The word for faith in the new testament writings is the Greek word pistis which means to believe, to trust, to have faith in. It was a common every day word to describe a common, every day reality.  The only difference between the apostle Paul's use of pistis and the common every day use of the people, was Paul's pointing to God as being worthy of our trust and belief as opposed to all the man made gods that were being worshiped. The Faith was that which stood upon a living, revealed God.


Faith is a very simple concept. It simply describes our willingness to trust. While it is true there are those who trust for no good reason, or who continually place their trust in the wrong things, the defect is with them, not trust.  Those who are well balanced and mature in their thinking understand that trust is earned. Trust is always based on evidence.  We trust the word of a close friend over that of a stranger. We trust the word of one who is vetted over one who is not.

In the same way we trust God  in that we have the long recorded history of His dealing with us.  He is faithful in keeping all His promises. We trust God for precisely the same reason we trust our very closest friend.

It wasn't until much later in the history of Christianity that faith was turned from simple trust in a proven God to something mystical, supernatural, and almost magical.  Medieval Christianity focused faith upon the priesthood and Church rather than upon Jesus and God.  Later preachers implied that power was found in faith, as though faith in faith was the key. Others tried to make faith a spiritual gift that God had to give to us before we could even believe.  Still others turned faith into a defensive wall to hide behind when faced with difficult questions.

So here is finally my whole point summarized. If belief in God is equal in every respect to belief in any other god, religion, or spirituality, then the researchers are absolutely right. Belief must set aside analytical thought and be based upon something purely subjective.  But if God is not like any other god and belief in Him is not like any other belief, then the researchers need to at least consider that analytical thinking and emotional thinking are to complement one another, not compete.