Good News v Politics

“Don’t mix politics and faith” is a statement many faith leaders and their congregations believe.

When political tensions are high, or when the news feels like an endless cycle of division and power struggles, many of us instinctively seek refuge in our faith, looking for comfort and distance from the world’s challenges.

When people think of the Bible, many focus only on its spiritual guidance, forgetting that the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians call the Old Testament) speak directly to issues like justice, power, and community. Prophets like Isaiah and Amos didn’t just encourage private faith; they called out leaders and systems that oppressed the vulnerable, offering a radical vision of a society that reflects God’s justice.

Those who push back against ideas like socialism often overlook the fact that Jesus tended to people’s physical and everyday needs—healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and uplifting the marginalised.

Jesus wasn’t neutral; he used language that was both spiritual and, in his time, deeply political.

Don’t believe me? Let’s look at how these texts engage the politics of their time—and challenge ours today:

1. Justice for the Vulnerable

The Hebrew prophets were relentless in calling out oppression. Figures like Amos and Isaiah denounced leaders who neglected the poor and marginalised. These prophets weren’t just critiquing individuals; they were challenging the very systems that allowed injustice to flourish.

2. Caution Against Corrupt Power

The Hebrew Scriptures are deeply sceptical of unchecked human power. When Israel asks for a king “like other nations” in 1 Samuel, God warns them: a king will draft their sons, tax their crops, and exploit them. Even when kings are appointed, they’re judged by how they use their power for justice and service, not self-interest.

3. Laws That Promote Equity

The laws of the Torah include radical provisions like the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), where debts are forgiven, and land is returned to original families. These laws were designed to prevent extreme inequality and protect people from generational poverty.

4. Prophets as Advocates for Social Justice

Prophets like Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Micah continually called out leaders who misused power, priests who distorted worship, and wealthy individuals who oppressed the poor. They spoke on behalf of God to hold Israel accountable to a vision of justice and equity.

5. Identity and Resistance in Exile

Stories like those of Daniel and Esther show the Jewish people navigating their faith under oppressive foreign powers. Their courage in resisting cultural pressure and advocating for their community speaks to the importance of faith-driven resistance in the face of unjust rule.

6. A Radical Covenant

Israel’s covenant with God is a unique political structure,  meant to show the world what it looked like for a people to live under God’s justice and mercy, not oppression.

7. A Vision of Peace and Shalom

Prophecies of the future kingdom—like those in Isaiah—envision a world where nations live in peace, where “swords are beaten into plowshares.” This vision critiques current power structures and calls for a society founded on justice, compassion, and harmony.

Jesus Was Involved in Politics

Jesus didn’t shy away from political issues. He challenged power structures, spoke against systemic injustices, and advocated for the marginalised. When he entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18), he wasn’t just talking about spiritual freedom. He was proclaiming freedom for the oppressed and a reordering of social priorities. These words were politically charged, calling for a world where the powerful are held accountable.

Why Kingdom of God?

It’s no accident that Jesus used the term “kingdom of God.” He didn’t say “the family of God” or “the community of God,” though those might be easier on our ears. Jesus chose “kingdom”—a term that carried strong political weight. For the Jewish people, a kingdom meant rulers, values, and governing systems. By proclaiming the “kingdom of God,” Jesus was drawing a clear contrast between God’s ways and those of the Roman Empire, between God’s justice and the oppression they experienced daily.

The very idea of the “kingdom of God” challenged existing power structures. It still does. When we proclaim that we’re part of God’s kingdom, we’re aligning ourselves with a different kind of power—a power that values love, justice, and mercy over domination or wealth.

Why Does This Matter for Us Today?

It might seem easier to think that faith is purely personal, or that our main job as Christians is to prepare for an afterlife. But the Bible challenges us to care about the here and now. Faith in Jesus isn’t an escape from worldly issues—it’s a call to engage with them. To follow Jesus is to engage actively in the work of justice, peace, and equity.

We also need to be mindful of the toll this work can take. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the anger, division, and hurt we see around us. But Jesus didn’t call us to a journey of powerlessness. He called us to bring change—through love, persistence, and a faith that seeks justice. This might mean advocating for policies that reflect Christ’s compassion, helping those marginalised in our communities, or encouraging others to speak up.

This  work feels exhausting, at times pointless even. That’s why we’re called to care for each other along the way. We need to support one another, remembering that we’re part of a community journeying together toward God’s vision of justice and peace.

Wrap it Up

Being faithful in today’s world means engaging with the political systems that shape our lives. Jesus did this not by seizing power but by living out God’s love in a deeply divided world. We’re called to do the same. Following Christ means paying attention to the actions of our leaders and asking, “Does this look like the kingdom of God?” And when it doesn’t, we’re called to speak up, to act, to bring about the change that reflects God’s love for all.