Most people who listen to my fortnightly radio commentary on Vision Christian radio with Neil Johnson will know that I am an avid proponent of Christians voicing their faith in the day to day running of government.
In this sense, cultural engagement as Christians in the world around us is not optional. Christ commands us to be both salt and light (Matt. 5:15)–meaning we are to live out our faith within our broader culture. We should avoid adopting beliefs and behaviour that go against our Christian beliefs.
The relationship between Christianity and politics is a historically complex subject and a frequent source of disagreement throughout the history of Christianity, as well as in modern politics between the Christian right and Christian left.
To many people Christianity directly supports a particular political ideology or philosophy whilst others believe that Christians should have little interest or participation in politics or government, or none at all.
Let me make the point clearly here that a biblically conceived doctrine of the separation of church and state is about jurisdictional authority. It recognizes that God has given one kind of authority to governments (the sword) and another kind to churches (the keys), and neither should usurp the other. Both church and state are inextricably linked.
So, as we approach the federal elections, what role should Christians have in influencing policy, supporting candidates, or indeed voicing their concerns in then public arena?
The past three years has shown that the Albanese Labor government has not only ignored the ‘Christian vote’ but in fact has encouraged its decline through various anti-Christian legislation, rhetoric and non-engagement. We still do not have a Religious Discrimination Bill which was promised by Albanese.
As such, be prepared to see both the Albanese government and its left-wing and woke supporters engage in demagoguing Christians in is election year.
I know it is always wrong to generalise from the particular to the collective, as in using anecdotes to make sweeping generalisations, or in seizing upon extreme cases to indict an entire demographic group. To take a recent example, anti-Christian and Jewish demagogues are trying to rally the public to watch their backs in this election year because Christians and Jews are allegedly out to get them.
Atheist Revolution warns that “if you value your life or the lives of other non-Christians,” then you must confront these Christians and Jews before it is too late. “It is about our survival.”
The secular media love to lump all Christians under the ‘Extremist’ label without any proof that Christian extremists are a threat to the safety of non-Christians? And what qualifies as a Christian “extremist”?
Do you know who else is a “Christian extremist”? Atheist Revolution says there are Christian extremists who want to legally mandate all to say “Merry Christmas” at Christmastime. It cites not one such person—it’s all in their head.
The year 2025 is just beginning and already the Christian and Jewish bashers are in high gear. As we get closer to the election, expect more from this crowd.
It also needs to be said that secular media, the pro-Palestinians, are aided and abetted by a cadre of intellectuals who continue to hawk the fallacious notion that “Christian nationalists” and the Jewish nation are out to take over Australia. While they are more sophisticated than the average activist, they are clearly feeding the anti-Christian bigotry that is raging in secular quarters.
My election message: vote according to your Christian conscience and indeed from a biblical worldview.