Politics & Government

Politics & Government gathers Christian Standard articles that explore the Christian’s relationship to civic life through a biblical lens. Here you’ll find thoughtful engagement with topics like authority and obedience, religious liberty, public policy, elections, justice, and how believers should speak and act in the public square. These articles aim to help Christians pursue faithful citizenship with conviction and humility—seeking the common good while keeping ultimate allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom.

July 4, 2010

Christian Standard

For God and Country

By James B. North The tension between serving God and serving one”s country has been a source of dispute in Christian circles for a long time””going at least as far back as the conversion of Constantine, Roman Emperor in the fourth century. Even within the fellowship of the Restoration Movement, or the Christian churches/churches of Christ, this tension has been evident. David Lipscomb, longtime editor of the Gospel Advocate in Nashville, was not only a pacifist; he was opposed to Christians serving in the government, and even for Christian citizens to vote in political elections. Yet his has certainly been the

July 4, 2010

Christian Standard

A Religious Man for President

By Jerry Rushford On November 2, 1880, 10 million Americans went to the polls and elected James A. Garfield the 20th president of the United States. Garfield was deluged with congratulatory letters in the week after his election, but none more significant than the one penned by Burke Hinsdale who wrote: “I have been astonished . . . at the hold that your candidacy took of the religious mind of the country. “˜Now we are going to have a religious man for president” is a thought that has swelled in the hearts of thousands of religious men.” James Abram Garfield was born on

November 22, 2009

Christian Standard

Christians, Politics, & Ethical Speech

  by Thomas Scott Caulley When we were kids, my brothers and I argued a lot. Inevitably this degenerated into name-calling: “You dirt wad!” someone would yell. “Shut up, idiot,” was the likely response.  Our mother was tireless in her efforts to train such language out of our vocabulary. She quoted Scriptures to us. “Do unto others” and “Each counting others better than himself” were just the beginning of her repertoire, and were among the many Bible verses we boys memorized under Mom”s watchful tutelage. To this day, many Bible passages come to mind in outdated English, even though I

October 18, 2009

Christian Standard

Reflections of a Public Servant

  by Rod Roberts On July 21 I held a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol where I announced the creation of an exploratory committee to run for the office of governor. Since then I have made my candidacy official. The decision to run for governor came as the result of months of travel, meetings, conversations, and thoughtful deliberation. My family and many close friends were key in helping me make this decision. Many prayers were offered in the months leading up to my decision. I have been an extremely fortunate and blessed public servant for many years. My

May 10, 2009

Christian Standard

A Christian Civics Lesson

  By Rod Roberts On January 9, 2007, the newly elected speaker of the Iowa House gaveled the 82nd General Assembly into session. True to the traditions of the Iowa House, the speaker invited a special guest pastor to bring the invocation that morning. To the surprise of many, the guest invited to pray for the General Assembly was a Des Moines-area Muslim imam. The gesture was, in part, recognition of the election of Iowa”s first Muslim state legislator, who was from Des Moines. In fact, the state Capitol in Des Moines is located in this legislator”s district. The imam

March 8, 2009

Christian Standard

A Capitol Idea of Serving Others

By Rod Roberts I was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives on November 7, 2000. Since that first election victory I have had the good fortune to run opposed in four subsequent re-election campaigns. At the conclusion of this current term I will have served 10 years in the Iowa House. There are 100 members who comprise the Iowa House of Representatives. A five-term member like myself is a legislator who has seniority among his peers. In addition to seniority, I am a leader within the House Republican caucus. In any state Legislature, seniority and position matter a

April 6, 2008

Christian Standard

They”ll Know We Are Christians by Our Vote

By Mandy Smith When church historians look back on the 1990s, they”ll undoubtedly refer to the “worship war” years. But what will they call our current age? My guess is that when discussing the first decades of the 21st century, historians will talk about “The God Gap.” The worship war looked like a discussion about instruments and songs, but it really swung on, “How much can we allow culture to affect our church experience and the expression of our faith?” Today, the collision of faith and culture continues in new arenas. And as if faith isn”t a hot enough topic

July 1, 2007

Christian Standard

The Problems with Christian Nationalism: A European Viewpoint

By Patrick Nullens I”ll never forget my first trip to America. After landing in Chicago, I thought, It”s like the movies. I took a cab to a huge hotel. As most tired travelers do, I switched on the cheap television set. That was when I experienced my first cultural shock. A well-dressed woman with giant artificial pink nails was resting her hands on a stack of postcards and praying for sick people. After reading each card, she prayed for each request, one by one. As she prayed eloquently and piously, a number for financial contributions flashed across the bottom of

July 1, 2007

Christian Standard

The Problems with Christian Nationalism: An American Viewpoint

By Ethan Magness A visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is an unsettling experience. From the outside everything seems so normal. If not for the small line of tourists waiting to get in, it would be indistinguishable from other houses in the beautiful old neighborhood. Cobblestones and a quiet canal belie the dramatic story of good and evil that took place inside the silent building. The house tour leads from the printing shop through the secret door and into the apartment. The furniture is simple and functional. Even the “hiding place” seems comfortable and would have been quite

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