Within Christian culture, many individuals have subconscious or overt beliefs about the believer’s role in politics and the study thereof. Many deem the study of politics a waste of time for the Christian, assuming that the political world is too far gone. These opinions appear all across the internet. For example, an article from Believer’s Magazine states plainly, “Engagement in the political process in any form is contrary to the spirit of Scripture. It is inconsistent with the Christian’s position and spiritual priorities.” An article from Becoming Christians draws a similar conclusion, reasoning with claims such as “the Believer’s citizenship is in Heaven,” “Politics isn’t the best way to show your love to others,” and “Christ wasn’t involved in politics.” Such statements draw a clear line in the sand: Christians belong on one side of the line, and the unholy world of politics on the other.

As a political science major, I beg to differ. Though they are not inherently incorrect, I find conclusions of this caliber uncredible. In response to those who say politics are “too far gone,” that the field is “too risky” for the Christian to enter, or that politics are simply an anti-Christian clamoring for power, I point to my faithful political science department at Gordon and the principles of Reformed Political Theory. They point to the beauty found in the study of and involvement in politics, and how it is truly glorifying to God.

To deem a career field “too unholy” for the Christian is a lofty assumption. The world is indeed tainted by sin, and the Christian’s citizenship in Heaven is infinitely more valuable than any earthly identity. However, to neglect the importance of stewarding our time on earth is to neglect the beautifully crafted world that our Father in Heaven declared “good” (Genesis 1:31 NIV). Caring for creation and other human beings in this world requires a system of justice–a stable governing body.

As one who generally falls under the Reformed branch of Christianity, I believe James Skillen from the Center for Public Justice offers fit commentary. He expresses that a just state clearly defines right and wrong, and that a “just political order is one that seeks to fulfill its specific limited responsibility before God.” In Christian doctrine, there is a strong emphasis on “right and wrong,” and morality which stems from God. Therefore, to enforce a standard of right and wrong inherently honors God. With the understanding of the government’s role to “do justice,” one cannot say that the Christian has no place in this effort, advocating for such a system.

Considering we serve a just God, the Christian has a similar responsibility to do justice, which then reopens the theoretical pathway for a Christian to be involved in politics (Micah 6:8).

Will justice be enacted perfectly? Certainly not, as sin has infiltrated this world. However, when government and politics have a defined role, there is room for a more generous understanding when it comes to how the Christian can be involved. Considering Scripture exhorts that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” there is an inherent duty for man to care for creation, both human and nonhuman. Professor of political science at Gordon College Timothy Sherratt would agree with this. “Stewardly tasks’ is making space via policy for the non-governmental institutions of society,” he said, “from individual people to various sorts of groups and associations to do their tasks of stewardship well.”

Connecting further to stewardship, Sherratt also acknowledges the multiple roles humans often play in their lives. As an illustration, he gave an example of an individual who has both a career and a family. “Government facilitates those two dimensions of stewardly activity with policies that allow parents to take sick children to doctor’s appointments without suffering negative consequences at work,” he said.

Advocating for policy that enforces right and wrong supports procedures that help those in society steward their time on earth well. Therefore, there is ample room for the Christian to be involved in this practice. Striving towards a just state adheres to Scripture’s call that we care for our fellow humans and the world we inhabit, which glorifies God.

Politics and the study thereof may not always be considered “worship” in itself. However, there is still space for worship to be involved. When studying or working towards the effective stewardship of one’s time on earth through politics and policy, the Christian honors the intention God has for our time in this world. As Sheratt said, “We are a little bit more inclined to say that work is, after all, part of what it means to be human in our Christian understanding, converts work not into drudgery, but into meaningful cooperation with God.”

Dr. Melkonian-Hoover, also a professor of political science at Gordon College, expressed something similar in her interview. “I also think the study of such helps us not only understand the world, but it helps us care for the world better,” she said, “and it calls us and increases our recognition of the need to do justice for all, but also for those who are often voiceless.”

There is no institutional sphere that the Christian is told to avoid, as there is no sphere God’s jurisdiction does not reach. As Melkonian-Hoover explained, “I go back to [Abraham] Kuyper again on this…‘every square inch is God’s and under his sovereignty,’ and so I don’t know what Christians are not supposed to enter.” Within this mindset, as citizens of this world, it makes sense that we involve ourselves in all institutions—not only politics, but also business, education, etc.

This is not to say that theocracy, a government ruled by the Church in the name of God, is the solution. Simply put, through studying and being involved in politics, the Christian advocates for a just state. This stewards creation well and therefore, glorifies God.

In the Reformed perspective, participation in politics is the gradual restoration of the created order as designed in Genesis—not by man’s effort, but by God working through man. This includes political action and advocacy. In his article, Skillen expresses,

“…[M]y argument for public justice is grounded in the biblical conviction that standards of justice are part of God’s creation order and that Christ is reconciling creation to God. This reconciling process calls us forward to our tasks as family members, working people, church people, citizens, and countless other responsibilities.”

With this in mind, the notion that a Christian should not study or enter the realm does not consider the value that politics and government hold. This well-meaning zeal for the kingdom misses the importance of caring for the world as we know it. There is value in this study, and merit in such actions.