American Christians need a renewed paradigm
of political discipleship:
KINGDOM
over
COUNTRY
over
PARTY.
Principle 1:
-
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus is King. He is conquering evil, crushing the enemy of death, and welcoming us as citizens of his kingdom. This kingdom is not just an inner reality of the soul, but a public tangible reign present now on earth. When we reclaim the political nature of the gospel, political idols become unnecessary and unappetizing.
Principle 2:
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The Church — not the nation-state — is where God's reign is most clearly enacted. Christians are called to represent the Kingdom of God first and foremost by participating in the political assembly of God's people, the Church. This is the most foundational form of political engagement for the Church.
Principle 3:
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Though ordained by God, the government’s role is limited to supporting well-being by establishing the Common Good. It was never intended to achieve the fulfillment of God's purposes. We should respect the government, but not expect perfection or mistake it for the true source of hope.
Principle 4:
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Politics is not ultimately about winning: for Christians, it's a means of loving our neighbor. This love requires understanding what other people in society — not just us — need to truly thrive. This thriving requires understanding biblical principles related to the Common Good, as well as learning from those quite different from us.
Principle 5:
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No party has a truly comprehensive agenda in line with Kingdom values. In fact, our two-party political system limits our ability to achieve the common good by dividing the principles necessary for flourishing, including human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity in unhelpful ways. We can embrace a form of "political homelessness" that prioritizes creative integration of these principles over partisan loyalty.
Principle 6:
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Voting is important, but it's not a litmus test for Christian faithfulness. Understanding this lowers the temperature and allows for productive conversations across partisan lines. The Church, in fact, can be an excellent place to have respectful dialogues about these tough topics.
Our formation and witness require a deeper political discipleship.
Join us as we step into this work of renewal.
