Christians in the United States
celebrated when one of a transgender activist’s complaints against Christian
baker Jack Phillips was thrown out. Of
course, those with sincerely held Christian convictions have a right to rejoice
at this small win for religious freedom. Nonetheless, a risk that is run when
Christianity becomes involved in such politically charged events is that
Christians can feel as though they must win every political battle to advance
the Kingdom of Heaven.
Evangelical Christians care a lot about politics. This is hardly surprising given that politics have a direct and material effect on the lives of every person under the authority of a government. While Christians should certainly advocate for their faith, we must keep in mind that God will fulfill His will no matter what petty dictators on earth decide.
Even if some in power abuse their position, governments are ordained by God for good, not for evil. The main purpose of government Paul outlines in Romans 13:4 is that government is there to protect the citizenry from the everyday problems of crime and invasion: “For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
Though governments can become oppressive of religion, Christians should not despair. They should defend their faith as best they can, but they do not need to control the government to evangelize.
Christian apologists like Peter Kreeft have spent years writing and speaking on the dire crisis of faith demonstrated in the “culture war” within the United States. While Kreeft’s analysis of the dangers posed to Christians through this culture war is poignant, the fear of this dystopian outcome should not overcome our hope as Christians.
Even if Christianity is successfully driven out of the United States’ mainstream culture, God will see to it that His ends are achieved. Even amid his sufferings, Job was able to cry out to God and declare to Him in Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Similarly, Christians who are persecuted should recognize that God’s will can overcome any governmental barrier.
Even in Communist China, where Christians are physically threatened and abused on a daily basis, Christianity is still the fastest-growing religion in the nation.
Although Christians have every right to fight for and defend their freedom of expression and religion, they ought to remember that God is still in control, no matter what happens. The Lord will use whatever comes to accomplish His purposes.
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