What Kind of Difference Do You Want to Make?

In stark contrast, Russian officials are reporting this morning that the leader of a recent coup against Vladimir Putin was in fact on a plane that crashed yesterday. Many assume that Mr. Putin arranged for his rival’s demise.

Donald Trump chose not to debate, taping an interview instead with Tucker Carlson that was released on X (formerly known as Twitter) as the debate began. Later today, the former president is scheduled to surrender at Atlanta’s Fulton County jail in the fourth criminal case against him. Mr. Trump and eighteen co-defendants are accused of trying to steal the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

In light of today’s news, I thought it might be helpful for us to discuss some biblical principles relating to politics. Let’s focus on three relevant questions.

What biblical principles guide our political engagement?

One: God uses human governments to carry out his will in the civil sphere (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-16).

Two: God calls some of us to be engaged personally in public service. Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea are examples. Erastus was the city treasurer in Corinth who supported Paul’s ministry (cf. Romans 16:23).

Three: We are to seek and administer justice (cf. Genesis 9:5-6), pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), honor their position (1 Peter 2:17), pay taxes (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7), and “seek the welfare” of our city (Jeremiah 29:7). In a democracy, this means that we vote, obey the laws, and support our leaders wherever we can.

Four: We are always to obey our highest authority. The apostles set the example by declaring to the Sanhedrin: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).