Another election year is upon us, and campaign ads pervade the airwaves like toxic fumes. I dread the stage of the political cycle when propaganda reaches peak levels of slander. I can’t even enjoy a football game in peace without being inundated with ads. No one looks forward to post-election tranquility more than I do. I can only hope peace prevails when the dust settles.

I want to point out a significant truth that I have come to over the years as a once politically disengaged Christian. My disdain for politics is longstanding and fervent. It is ugly, riddled with lies, half-truths, deception, power, and pride. I find it overwhelming to sift through all the double talk. I refused to sully myself in its muck and mire. But that position has turned out to be wrongheaded and harmful. When Christians collectively abdicate their civil duty to help determine the direction of community, state, and national discourse they, by default, are allowing other parties, influenced by humanistic philosophies and ideologies, to choose the way forward.

To put things bluntly, a nation built on Christian foundations and populated mostly by professing Christians cannot allow a pagan worldview to dominate our politics. A Christian worldview should shape our ethics, laws, and all civil affairs.

A worldview is a comprehensive understanding of the world and how it functions, derived from a particular standpoint. A person’s worldview is fundamentally grounded in their religious beliefs. Consequently, political affiliation usually reflects a person’s worldview, which is influenced by their faith convictions. In this sense, politics has an inherently religious dimension. For example, if you are a Christian, it follows that you should have a Christian worldview. If you have a Christian worldview then you should gravitate toward political positions that reflect your worldview. Given the current political climate, many argue that a Christian cannot genuinely align with the Democratic Party. So, why do so many individuals who identify as Christians vote this way? The answer can be summarized in one word: syncretism. Syncretism refers to the blending of Christian beliefs with non-Christian ideas, while still presenting them as Christian. Many progressive Christians fall into this category. They take concepts that are clearly not supported by Scripture and attempt to incorporate them into a biblical framework, thus revealing their true religious convictions. This approach is called eisegesis, which is interpreting a text by reading into it their personal religious view. This is opposed to exegesis, which seeks to understand the text in its original context. Political views on issues like abortion, transgender rights, and open borders can overshadow traditional Christian teachings. Those who support these views often dress them up in a veneer of love and sentimentality, defending them passionately. In doing so, they reveal the true beliefs they hold. It is essential for Christians to cultivate a solid Christian worldview. This challenge may stem from a failure to effectively develop disciples rather than merely focusing on making converts. Christian doctrine and ethics should be applied to every sphere of life, demonstrating the superior wisdom and universal kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.