Political Advocacy

In a world increasingly shaped by secular ideologies, Christians can participate in the public square, acting as agents of salt and light. Political advocacy must first be rooted in the Great Commission, which transforms hearts and, through them, nations and laws. While changing systems and structures is important, the process begins with preaching the Gospel, as transformed hearts lead to transformed societies.

By engaging in the public square Christians can uphold biblical truth and advance the cause of Christ. When political advocacy is rooted in a biblical worldview, it can act as an agent to preserve the free exercise of religion, protect the vulnerable, and ensure the gospel’s proclamation in society. This essay explores the importance of political advocacy from a traditional Christian perspective, arguing that Christians must move beyond apathy or misguided empathy to active engagement shaped by a biblical worldview, using their civic responsibilities to elevate Christ’s standard of justice in a fallen world.

The Great Commission: The Heart of Christian Advocacy

The Great Commission, Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV), is the foundation for Christian political advocacy. Changing nations and laws begins with changing hearts through the gospel, as only regenerated individuals can fully embrace God’s standards for justice and righteousness.

God places believers in specific times and nations for a purpose: “He determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God” (Acts 17:26-27). For American Christians in a constitutional republic, this divine placement can include public engagement to advance the gospel. While the Christian's first citizenship is in heaven and our guiding allegiance to the Kingdom of God, Christians can participate in public debates and advocate for just laws and policies based on the Word of God. Political advocacy, when anchored in a biblical worldview, elevates the cause of Christ, helping His truth to permeate society. By preaching the gospel and advocating for policies that reflect God’s truth, Christians transform hearts, which in turn influence laws and systems.

Advocacy vs. Protest

A critical distinction exists between advocacy and protesting or rioting. Advocacy is a disciplined, biblically-informed effort to influence public policy and culture. Unlike rioting, which often violates biblical principles such as the Eighth Commandment against theft (Exodus 20:15), advocacy seeks to uphold justice and righteousness in the public square. For example, the 1967 Loving v. Virginia case, which struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage, aligned legal policy with the biblical truth that all people bear God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Over time, this change shifted societal attitudes, demonstrating advocacy’s power to align laws with divine justice.

However, political advocacy must never be separated from the Great Commission. The ultimate goal is not merely policy change but creating an environment where the gospel can be freely proclaimed and disciples made. Christians must avoid two extremes: abandoning civic engagement altogether or becoming so consumed by it that the gospel is sidelined. Both are errors that undermine a biblically-based approach. Advocacy protects freedoms like the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion. By advocating for robust religious liberty, Christians can live out their faith publicly, advocacy keeps the door open for the gospel to transform hearts and, ultimately, nations.

William Wilberforce: A Model of Responsible Advocacy

William Wilberforce, an 18th- and 19th-century British parliamentarian, exemplifies responsible Christian political advocacy. Driven by his evangelical faith, Wilberforce dedicated decades to abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire. His advocacy was rooted in the gospel’s transformative power, believing that preaching Christ changes hearts, which then changes laws. Wilberforce worked tirelessly to persuade legislators and the public, combining passionate evangelism with strategic political efforts. His leadership in passing the Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 demonstrates how gospel-driven advocacy can dismantle unjust systems. Wilberforce’s approach—grounded in prayer, Scripture, and a commitment to human dignity as image-bearers of God—shows that Christian advocacy is most effective when it flows from a heart transformed by the gospel, seeking to transform others through both word and deed.

Key Issues for Christian Advocacy

Several contemporary issues demand Christian advocacy, rooted in biblical principles. The sanctity of life, particularly opposing abortion, is paramount. Before Roe v. Wade in 1973, abortion was widely rejected in America. Its legalization reshaped public perception, with many now viewing it as a civil right—an affront to the biblical truth that life begins at conception (Luke 1:41, 18:15). A society that permits the slaughter of the unborn cannot be considered compassionate or civil, as it undermines the imago Dei, the foundation of human dignity. Advocacy, fueled by gospel proclamation, seeks to protect the vulnerable and restore a culture of life, transforming hearts to value all human life.

Another critical issue is the normalization of same-sex marriage and transgender ideology, particularly following the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This ruling has influenced not only secular society but also some churches, prompting reinterpretations of theology to accommodate cultural norms. Such ideologies challenge the biblical account of creation, where God made humanity “male and female” (Genesis 1:27). By advocating for policies that reflect God’s design for marriage and gender, Christians uphold the authority of Scripture and protect the gospel’s foundation, which rests on the reality of sin and the need for salvation through Christ (Genesis 3). Advocacy ensures that biblical truth remains a viable voice in the public square, countering narratives that seek to redefine God’s created order.

The Consequences of Apathy

Christian apathy in the face of cultural shifts has profound consequences. When Christians fail to be salt and light, “wicked laws” create obstacles to the Great Commission. In public schools, where most American children are educated, ideologies like same-sex marriage and transgenderism are taught as civil rights, often without parental knowledge, fostering rebellion and confusion. This undermines the biblical mandate for parents to disciple their children (Deuteronomy 6:7). If Christians do not advocate for policies protecting parental rights and biblical values, secular ideologies will shape hearts, making evangelism harder.

People may question the gospel’s relevance, asking, “If this is legal, how can it be wrong?” Apathy risks rendering Christians “salt that has lost its savor” (Matthew 5:13), allowing deceptive ideologies to prevail.

Advocacy as Discipleship

Political advocacy is not about imposing a theocracy but about articulating policies that promote human flourishing based on God’s standards, starting with gospel-transformed hearts. All laws reflect a moral framework; the question is whose morality will prevail. Christians advocate for biblical norms because they align with God’s design for society, as seen in the historical consensus that marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). This is not merely a religious notion but a foundational truth recognized across cultures and faiths for millennia. Advocacy ensures that such truths remain part of the public discourse, countering agendas that seek to normalize sin.

 Christian advocacy ensures these truths remain in public discourse. Boycotts, for example, can raise awareness about unbiblical policies, prompting reflection and discussion. Such actions, rooted in the Great Commission, teach believers to prioritize God’s standards, modeling a countercultural faith as a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV).

Conclusion

Political advocacy, rooted in the Great Commission, is a Christian imperative. By preaching the gospel, Christians transform hearts, which then reshape laws and systems. William Wilberforce’s abolitionist work shows how gospel-driven advocacy can dismantle injustice while advancing Christ’s kingdom. Issues like abortion and the redefinition of marriage demand active engagement, as apathy allows secular ideologies to hinder evangelism and discipleship. By advocating for biblical truth, Christians protect religious freedom, uphold human dignity, and keep the gospel’s door open. As believers live out the Great Commission, they become salt and light, ensuring that Christ’s transformative power shines brightly in a darkening world.

Further the Discussion