Political Involvement

Political Involvement

Citizens in democratic societies have opportunities to participate in government and civic life. This involvement includes voting, campaigning, and other forms of public service.

Basic Responsibilities

The most fundamental duty of citizens is informed voting. As Wayne Grudem explains, "I believe that every Christian citizen who lives in a democracy has at the very least a minimal obligation to be well-informed and to vote for candidates and policies that are most consistent with biblical principles."1

Ways to Get Involved

Beyond voting, citizens can serve their communities in several ways:

  • Giving money to support candidates and causes
  • Volunteering for campaigns
  • Writing letters about issues
  • Sharing information with others
  • Running for office
  • Serving in the military

Grudem notes, "If so many have given their very lives to protect and preserve our nation, then do the rest of us who receive such great benefits from these sacrifices not have an obligation to do something more than merely voting?"2

Being Informed

Good citizenship requires understanding key issues and choices. This means:

  • Learning about important policies
  • Understanding what candidates believe
  • Studying how different choices affect people
  • Making careful voting decisions

References

  1. Wayne Grudem, Politics - According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 74.

  2. Grudem, Politics - According to the Bible, 75.