I felt uneasy when I found out that a well known attorney and elder at my church was running for public office. I had met William* a few times and had pleasant conversations with him, but something about a church leader holding public office made me uncomfortable. Will was a believer, a family man, a successful attorney, but still humble and approachable. He gave to the church and he and his wife were ready volunteers for church events and ministries. Confusingly, when I read his website I largely agreed with his views and opinions on the major issues, which made my discomfort hard to pinpoint. By all metrics, this is the type of person I would want to run for office. Where was my reluctance coming from?
Separation of Church and state
The concept of separating church and state was new for America’s founding fathers. The European governments they came from sourced their authority from the divine. Kings were crowned by bishops and popes to symbolize the true initiator of power. In many kingdoms, the regent was head of church and state. Colonists who fled to the new world searching for freedom to practice their faith realized the danger that this structure created.
In response to the persecution and fear they faced in Europe, church leaders and colonial governments agreed on the necessity of separation. Rhode Island founder Roger Williams used the term “Wall of Separation” to describe the idea when he claimed that state involvement in the church would corrupt the institution. Decades later, a government independent of the church was an essential concept for men like Jefferson and Madison. This idea is codified in the first amendment when it states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” The bold statement that there will be no national religion was important enough to the first sentence of the first amendment.
As a side note, many of the religious identifiers we notice like those on currency or in the pledge of allegiance did not appear until recently. The phrase “In God We Trust” was absent from paper money and the pledge of allegiance was missing “under God” until the 1950’s.
So what does this mean for the Christian? Should believers not hold public office? Should politicians not vote in line with the guiding morals of their faith? Should churches be exempt from taxes? Should religious leaders hold public office? The discussions surrounding these questions are full of nuance, and a consensus hardly exists on the topic. However, we can look at the Bible and what the authors of our constitution intended as a way to illuminate some of the bigger questions.
Considering the authors of the constitution and other founding fathers were men of faith (evidenced by their own testimonies), we can infer that they did not intend separation to mean Christians could not hold office. Nor would they claim that politicians should not vote in line with their religious convictions. The declaration of independence itself states that the rights of the people are “endowed by their creator”. The convictions that led to the birth of the U.S. were, at least in part, religious. Furthermore, I see no implied or explicit prohibition of religious leaders holding public office. Although, I expect the crafters of the constitution would be dubious of church leaders seeking positions of governmental power. I expect this is where some of my uneasiness comes from. Like the founders of our nation, part of me fears that participation in public office could corrupt the leadership of the church.
Two Masters
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Fear for corruption of the church or the state by their interaction is supported by Jesus’ words in the book of Matthew. The service of two masters is stated as God and money here, but the word money could just as easily be replaced by any other idol. You cannot serve God and career success. You cannot serve God and bodily pleasure. You cannot serve God and your political party. This last distinction has become harder to realize as political parties each claim a “Christian” moral framework. But they remain an idol in as much as they replace God in our hearts and actions.
In most roles we serve under the leadership of someone: a boss, a president, a chairperson. When we consider the masters we serve, we must look beyond the person above us and to the thing or idea that we are working towards. Those who work in government, serve the country. Politician’s professional responsibility is to the preservation and prosperity of their nation. Every action they take in their office should directly or indirectly serve the interest of the state as a whole.
As a leader in the Church the primary task is in guiding people to Christ. This task includes guiding the Christian (discipleship) and the non-Christian (evangelism). Hebrews 13:17 tells us that leaders “are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”
Ezekiel 34:2-4 is a rebuke of leaders acting in their own interest. “...Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.”
1 Peter 5:2-3 reminds leaders to “...shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
Titus 1:5-9 gives instructions to “...appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
Each of these passages gives a picture of the end goal or idea that a church leader should serve. Yes, they serve the people in their church, but this is all in anticipation of the Kingdom of God. The service of the church leader (as the service of the Christian generally) is heaven focused. This goal is in contrast with the earthly focus of serving the government or nation.
In short, ‘senator’ and ‘pastor’ are positions with conflicting motivations. A person can not serve both well. Either they act in the interest of God’s kingdom neglecting the duty to lead their nation or state, or they neglect the gospel in favor of their earthly kingdom.
As a member of a church congregation, this neglect is what I fear about a pastor politician. I desire my pastor to point me towards our eternal kingdom through love and humility. Working to enact justice and truth though legislation is a noble profession, but it is entirely separate from the work of a caring pastor.
Give the Caesar
Some might claim that following this logic to its conclusion would imply that Christians should not have any place or participation in government because that would be serving an earthly kingdom. There is no such prohibition in scripture, and I wouldn't advise it here. But Christians should be wary of HOW we participate in government. Christians can work as employees of the government without making it an idol. Yes, we should vote for candidates and laws that reflect justice, truth, and goodness, but we should stop short of doing so with the expectation of creating a perfect, or worse, Christian, nation.
Matthew 22:19-22 ““Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.”
Jesus’ plan for redemption does not rely upon reforming government. What is earthly is earthly. It will disappear, dust to dust. What is heavenly is permanent. This is why Jesus is so quick to dismiss the Pharisees' question about taxes. We should care less about this temporary wealth. The work done to build up God’s kingdom will last forever.
My Elder, Will was not the first church leader to seek public office. The first speaker of the House, Frederick Muhlenberg, and later Jesse Jackson and Raphael Warnock were ministers before they served their country. In fact, there are 7 ordained ministers in congress today. I don’t doubt any of their faith, just as I don’t doubt the faith of my brother Will. I believe that they see their pastoral calling as congruent with their public office. But I worry that in doing so, they communicate, either implicitly or explicitly, that serving their earthly kingdom is the same as serving their heavenly kingdom. Furthermore, when the time eventually comes to choose between their country and their congregation, I worry what they might pick.
The characteristics for elders mentioned in 1 Peter 5 outline a different type of leader than we are used to. They are called to act “not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock”. These are not the traits that lead to political success, which is why when a pastor or elder runs for office I feel uneasy. The very fact that they desire to hold political power shines their church position in a new light. Was their true motivation to shepherd or were they merely seeking authority?
I didn't have to decide if I was going to vote for Will. I coincidentally moved out of the district before the election. But I did check to see the results a few months later. He lost, but I’m only a little relieved.
https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx
https://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm
*not his real name
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