The Myth 

Churches should refrain from engaging in the political process.  Being politically involved not only interferes with the church’s primary mission of preaching the good news of salvation, but also churches are prohibited by law from political activity. 


The Truth  

It is true there are some restrictions on what churches and pastors can do legally regarding politics, yet there are many things churches and pastors CAN and SHOULD do.  (See http://www.trusttruth.com/churchesandpolitics_links.cfm for specific information.)  

Politics has been defined as “the authoritative allocation of public values.”  Therefore, since through politics, someone’s values are going to be authoritatively allocated, should not Christians at least compete in the arena to see if those values can be ours?  

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, the scripture says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  Doesn't this seem to instruct Christians to attempt to “take captive” public policy and “make it obedient to Christ”?

Moreover, in Proverbs, we are reminded that:

~“Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.” (Proverbs 11:11)

~“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

~“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)

So, as Christians, shouldn't we actively work in the political arena to try to insure that the wicked do not rule?  

For Christians, the answer to each of these questions is clearly "yes".