It can get real discouraging as we seek to make a difference:
It is pretty difficult to obey the command of Jesus to be salt and light (and yes it WAS a command – to all of us) when we really do not care what is happening in our world. If you are a Christian in the West today yet have absolutely no interest in the various political, social, ethical, cultural and intellectual battles being waged all around you, then your ability to be salt and light is basically nil.
So the very first step to being obedient to what is found in Matthew 5:13-16 is to start giving a rip. It is to start caring about the things that God cares about. And God cares deeply not just about the church and the people in it, but the world and the people in it.
We need to repent of our apathy and indifference and seek the heart of God on all that is happening around us. Of course to get that proper, biblical attitude does not mean everything is smooth sailing from thereon. This is only the beginning. Then the really hard part starts as in discerning what we can do, how we can get involved, who we might align with, what battles we might get active about, and so on.
That is what this article will focus on. And it originates with a social media friend messaging me, asking what I think of some of the big battles we are involved in, including the really rocky political road Australia has been on over the past few days. I gave this response to her:
Just a few quick general thoughts:
-We must do what God calls us to do
-We must choose our battles carefully
-Staying humble before God as he directs us is paramount
As to the hate bill, it is terrible and it was a shocking sellout by the Libs, but not unexpected. So similar thoughts again for those who are in the Liberal Party or wondering how to proceed:
-Do I stay and fight and try to transform it and pray for it?
-Do I leave it and join another party?
-Do I begin to see just how limited political options are for what really ails us?
Etc.
I have been involved in these wars for 35 years now in Australia. It gets disappointing so often, but at the end of the day we must do what we feel God wants us to do. Making sure we are involved in what he wants us to be involved in is crucial.
Hang in there and blessings.
Of course much more can be said about all these points. So let me discuss just some of them a bit further. And bear in mind that already millions of words have already been shared by others on the recent hate bill, the implosion of the Federal Coalition, and related matters. So I again will stick to more general and biblical observations.
What can I do?
That there is work for all Christians to do here in Australia on so many levels is of course obvious. But it is also obvious that you and I cannot do everything. We can only do so much, and we should only do what God is calling us to do.
Therefore, not everyone will get directly involved in politics, be it running for office, joining a party, doing political lobbying work and so on. Not everyone will set up a blog site, or get involved in the culture wars, or write books and articles about how to make a difference.
But we can all do something. Just because we cannot do everything does not mean we should do nothing. We all have a role to play. Prayerfully and carefully seek God’s will as to what it is he wants you to do. If you are willing to serve in this way, he will readily lead you along the way.
How far can politics go?
The Christian knows (or should know) that politics can only take us so far. That is because at the end of the day our real problems are spiritual, and they are in need of a spiritual solution. Politics like everything else would be fine if there was no sin in the world – if there were no sinners. But sin and sinners exist, so that problem is the one most in need of being addressed.
But having said that, it is not a case of either/or for the believer: ‘Either we deal with spiritual matters or we deal with political matters.’ It is a both/and situation: We share the gospel and the love of Christ, and we also get involved in the political and social realms, as God so leads each of us.
As long as evil exists, it must be addressed and resisted. And it must be dealt with on every level: political, cultural, spiritual, theological, ideological, and so on. The Lordship of Christ covers every sphere of life, so our involvement should also include every part of life.
No politician or party will ever fully satisfy
After the past few days, there are plenty of Australian conservatives who are really bummed out. Many have now said that the Libs are toast and they want nothing to do with this Party. Others are looking at other options, such as joining One Nation, or yet again forming another new party.
That both the Federal Liberals and most state Liberal parties are now almost a waste of space seems evident – at least to real deal conservatives and concerned Christians. But whether any remaining true conservatives will join with Barnaby Joyce and others in leaving the Libs and Nats remains to be seen. And will it do much good?
We can hope and pray (and work) toward finding genuine opposition parties to Labor, the Greens and the Teals. But we must also realise that no party will come close to being and doing all that we might want of them. Neither will any one politician or leader.
By now we know that so many of them will often say all the right things, but when it comes to crunch time, they will bitterly disappoint you by the way they vote on an issue, or don’t even bother to vote. In decades of being involved in this, I have known too many of the conservative and Christian politicians who let us down massively when they instead should have stood strong.
So the sad truth is no politician will ever fully be all that we want him to be. Only Jesus Christ has been and forever will be all that he claims to be. Only he will never disappoint us, betray us, or let us down. So he alone should get our ultimate trust and commitment.
Resist the discouragement and keep on keeping on
But nonetheless, in spite of all the discouraging things we see happening all around us, not just by our politicians, but by all other leaders, including too often Christian ones, we still have a calling to make a difference in a sinful world. We still have a job to do. We still must seek to be salt and light as God directs us.
Giving up in despair is not an option. Throwing our hands up and saying we quit is not something the believer should countenance. Yes, we will get bummed out often, betrayed often, and discouraged often, but our Lord kept on going till the bitter end, and we must do so as well.
And who knows? God might surprise us along the way. Nothing lasts forever. God is quite able to raise up various folks to be the ones we need for political, cultural and social reform and renewal. God has always had his people being raised up at the right time. Even pagan rulers like Darius were raised up and used for his purpose.
So hang in there. Politics sucks – no question about it. But in a fallen world it is one of the many areas we must have some sort of involvement in. We are to occupy till he comes. That will take many different forms and involve many different things. But we all have a role to play. So putting up the white flag of surrender in not the way to proceed.
Above all else, we must trust God more, pray more, work more, and seek him more. And by God’s grace, we can make some small but real differences along the way.
A closing quote from American Archbishop Charles J. Chaput fully applies to the Australian situation:
Changing the course of American culture seems like such a huge task; so far beyond the reach of this gathering today. But St. Paul felt exactly the same way. Redeeming and converting a civilization has already been done once. It can be done again. But we need to understand that God is calling you and me to do it. He chose us. He calls us. He’s waiting, and now we need to answer him.
20 Replies to “The Christian in a Political and Cultural Wasteland”
Thank you, Bill, for your call to arms.
May we recall the words of Jesus: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49).
Amen John.
Agree with you Bill, no political party will truly satisfy. I think the Libs have lost their way and will be in the wilderness for a long time.
For my part, as a longtime financial Lib supporter, I’ve had enough and now support One Nation whose values for the most part are inline with what the Libs once stood for.
Thanks Fred. Yes, you would not be alone in this.
An inspired and very balanced article Bill. I would say also that no church will completely satisfy us either. If the basic teaching in a church is biblically sound, then we can live with minor issues which are not salvation issues.
Yes correct Graham.
At our local cafe today three of us wore our “Good People Break Bad Laws” shirts.
Two of us did the 6.5k river walk
There was no other shirt more suitable for the first Friday after the hate speech laws debacle.
Quite so Bruce.
I have been thinking that Christian education is key. The Church has left, or been pushed out of, its role in education.
Yes John that is a vital area indeed. See my 260 articles on this here:
There is nothing in the New Testament that requires Christians to be politically conservative, let alone a culture warrior.
Sorry Frank: fail – go to the back of the class. There is everything in the New Testament that requires Christians to affirm God’s institutions of heterosexual marriage and family; the sanctity of life (including for the unborn); the reality of only two sexes; and the fundamental truth that God, and not Big Brother Statism, is our final authority, to name but a few conservative values and culture war issues.
I believe that history clearly supports what you are saying here. The preaching of the gospel is if course of primary importance, but with a view to our also being salt and light in society. The dangers of a misplaced pietism ( let the world get on with it – it is not my concern – are great ). In Britain the powerful gospel preaching of the 18th century led on to all the great social reforms of the 19th century.
Thanks Peter.
Hi Bill. It seems to me that there is one area of divide between conservatives and … not sure what to call this — I’ll just say “those on the other side of this divide.” The area I refer to is economics. There doesn’t seem to be any clear, one-sided view in the NT about economic policy and practice, either for society or for individuals. Is capitalism, with all its individualist and acquistionist (not really a word, but you get my meaning) focus, what God desires? Or is something else, a focus on giving, sharing, helping, showing forebearance, etc not more in line with Jesus’ teachings? Here is something I’ve argued with other Christians about: should I give to beggars on the street? Many say no; but I always do if I have money with me, because Jesus said “Give to everyone who begs from you.” But I concede the other side can also make a case for their position. Then when you extend this to society and its economic policies, again, I’d say there is no definitive answer in the NT. I lean towards a having a strong system of welfare and making the elimination of povety a key social goal. This can often seem to sit ill at ease with my conservative stance on theology and on many other policies (such as abortion, euthanasia, etc).
Thanks Marla. The only trouble with a short comment like yours is that it requires an article-length comment in reply to do the important issues raised here proper justice! Which I guess is why I have over 7100 articles here, to go into great depth and detail about controversial and complex issues. Indeed, given that I have 242 articles on economics on this site, if you were interested in a really detailed response from me, checking out some of those pieces might be one way to proceed!
But a few quick(ish) things can be said in response:
-Actually, the Bible (both Testaments) has quite a lot to say about economics and the like. Simply look at two of the Ten Commandments which insist upon private property, a hall mark of the free enterprise system. That would be but one of many core principles that can be appealed to in any discussion about economics, politics, and so on.
-Your take on the two ‘sides’ of economics is unfortunately somewhat simplistic and unhelpful. For example, I happen to think that the free market is the best thing yet devised to raise the masses out of poverty and to help create wealth for everyone. Yet because I support the free market, you might think this somehow makes me – or those like me – an ‘individualist and acquistionist’! Do you think all conservatives are greedy and evil, while all leftists are beyond all that? Greed, selfishness and other sins lie in ALL human hearts, and greedy, acquisitive leftists and socialists are just as prevalent as anyone else. See more on this here:
-Saying that you want to see poverty eliminated is great. But so do I, and so do most economic conservatives. The issue is NOT that leftists want no more poverty, while conservatives want poverty, but this: What is the best way to eliminate poverty? That is the important issue here, not how one feels. Feeling compassionate for others is not the same as actually helping them and lifting them out of poverty. The fact is this: the free market, for all its faults, has done more to lift millions of people out of poverty than any other economic system. So if we want to see poverty lessened (it will never be fully eradicated, as even Jesus said), then we should support economic systems that actually work, and not systems that just sound nice but have not worked. See here eg:
But the welfare state tends to create dependency and a sense of entitlement, wherein everyone suffers. If people expect the state (actually the hardworking taxpayer) to always bail them out, why bother with getting a job? You simply have created an entire class of people who are dependent on the state. No society can long last like that. Again, a safety net for those who CANNOT work is one thing – offering it to those who do not want to work is quite another. See here:
-As to giving to beggars, it is more of the same: creating for many a culture of dependency, especially for those who prefer not to work, or just want your money to further support their drug or alcohol habits that will send them to an early grave. There is nothing much Christian or virtuous about that I would have thought! But see more on this here:
What actually works to help the poor is ALWAYS to be preferred to our feelings that are often not supported by the empirical facts and evidence. In other words, we need much more than just good intentions here:
There is much more to be said on all this. I recommend that you take a look at some of the pieces I link to here. After that, you can then come back here if you like to discuss things further. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Thanks for your reply, Bill. I will certainly look at some of the articles you’ve written on this subject. My underlying point was just that, as devoted Christians, we may not (we need not) agree on the details of every point of Biblical interpretation and its implications for public policy.
Thank you, Bill, for your call to arms.
May we recall the words of Jesus: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49).
Amen John.
Agree with you Bill, no political party will truly satisfy. I think the Libs have lost their way and will be in the wilderness for a long time.
For my part, as a longtime financial Lib supporter, I’ve had enough and now support One Nation whose values for the most part are inline with what the Libs once stood for.
Thanks Fred. Yes, you would not be alone in this.
An inspired and very balanced article Bill. I would say also that no church will completely satisfy us either. If the basic teaching in a church is biblically sound, then we can live with minor issues which are not salvation issues.
Yes correct Graham.
At our local cafe today three of us wore our “Good People Break Bad Laws” shirts.
Two of us did the 6.5k river walk
There was no other shirt more suitable for the first Friday after the hate speech laws debacle.
Quite so Bruce.
I have been thinking that Christian education is key. The Church has left, or been pushed out of, its role in education.
Yes John that is a vital area indeed. See my 260 articles on this here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/category/education/
London really seems to have turned into a political and cultural wasteland indeed:
https://www.christiantoday.com/news/police-ban-walk-with-jesus-march-through-muslim-area-over-fears-of-violence-and-serious-disorder
Thanks Mark.
There is nothing in the New Testament that requires Christians to be politically conservative, let alone a culture warrior.
Sorry Frank: fail – go to the back of the class. There is everything in the New Testament that requires Christians to affirm God’s institutions of heterosexual marriage and family; the sanctity of life (including for the unborn); the reality of only two sexes; and the fundamental truth that God, and not Big Brother Statism, is our final authority, to name but a few conservative values and culture war issues.
I believe that history clearly supports what you are saying here. The preaching of the gospel is if course of primary importance, but with a view to our also being salt and light in society. The dangers of a misplaced pietism ( let the world get on with it – it is not my concern – are great ). In Britain the powerful gospel preaching of the 18th century led on to all the great social reforms of the 19th century.
Thanks Peter.
Hi Bill. It seems to me that there is one area of divide between conservatives and … not sure what to call this — I’ll just say “those on the other side of this divide.” The area I refer to is economics. There doesn’t seem to be any clear, one-sided view in the NT about economic policy and practice, either for society or for individuals. Is capitalism, with all its individualist and acquistionist (not really a word, but you get my meaning) focus, what God desires? Or is something else, a focus on giving, sharing, helping, showing forebearance, etc not more in line with Jesus’ teachings? Here is something I’ve argued with other Christians about: should I give to beggars on the street? Many say no; but I always do if I have money with me, because Jesus said “Give to everyone who begs from you.” But I concede the other side can also make a case for their position. Then when you extend this to society and its economic policies, again, I’d say there is no definitive answer in the NT. I lean towards a having a strong system of welfare and making the elimination of povety a key social goal. This can often seem to sit ill at ease with my conservative stance on theology and on many other policies (such as abortion, euthanasia, etc).
Thanks Marla. The only trouble with a short comment like yours is that it requires an article-length comment in reply to do the important issues raised here proper justice! Which I guess is why I have over 7100 articles here, to go into great depth and detail about controversial and complex issues. Indeed, given that I have 242 articles on economics on this site, if you were interested in a really detailed response from me, checking out some of those pieces might be one way to proceed!
But a few quick(ish) things can be said in response:
-Actually, the Bible (both Testaments) has quite a lot to say about economics and the like. Simply look at two of the Ten Commandments which insist upon private property, a hall mark of the free enterprise system. That would be but one of many core principles that can be appealed to in any discussion about economics, politics, and so on.
-Your take on the two ‘sides’ of economics is unfortunately somewhat simplistic and unhelpful. For example, I happen to think that the free market is the best thing yet devised to raise the masses out of poverty and to help create wealth for everyone. Yet because I support the free market, you might think this somehow makes me – or those like me – an ‘individualist and acquistionist’! Do you think all conservatives are greedy and evil, while all leftists are beyond all that? Greed, selfishness and other sins lie in ALL human hearts, and greedy, acquisitive leftists and socialists are just as prevalent as anyone else. See more on this here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2015/04/06/markets-and-morality/
And here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2013/01/09/christian-social-responsibility-welfare-and-the-state-part-two/
-Saying that you want to see poverty eliminated is great. But so do I, and so do most economic conservatives. The issue is NOT that leftists want no more poverty, while conservatives want poverty, but this: What is the best way to eliminate poverty? That is the important issue here, not how one feels. Feeling compassionate for others is not the same as actually helping them and lifting them out of poverty. The fact is this: the free market, for all its faults, has done more to lift millions of people out of poverty than any other economic system. So if we want to see poverty lessened (it will never be fully eradicated, as even Jesus said), then we should support economic systems that actually work, and not systems that just sound nice but have not worked. See here eg:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2006/11/16/christianity-and-poverty/
-No economic conservative denies there is a place for some welfare assistance for the deserving poor – and yes the Bible clearly distinguishes between the deserving and the undeserving poor – see here eg: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2013/01/09/christian-social-responsibility-welfare-and-the-state-part-one/
But the welfare state tends to create dependency and a sense of entitlement, wherein everyone suffers. If people expect the state (actually the hardworking taxpayer) to always bail them out, why bother with getting a job? You simply have created an entire class of people who are dependent on the state. No society can long last like that. Again, a safety net for those who CANNOT work is one thing – offering it to those who do not want to work is quite another. See here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2023/06/10/on-the-welfare-state/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2025/10/05/genuine-christian-concern-and-charity/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/11/08/the-entitlement-mentality-and-national-suicide-or-why-we-are-a-nation-of-pigs/
And family breakdown (which is one of the biggest predicators of poverty) is usually compounded by the welfare state:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2023/09/13/social-decline-family-breakdown-and-the-welfare-state/
-As to giving to beggars, it is more of the same: creating for many a culture of dependency, especially for those who prefer not to work, or just want your money to further support their drug or alcohol habits that will send them to an early grave. There is nothing much Christian or virtuous about that I would have thought! But see more on this here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/02/14/difficult-bible-passages-matthew-542/
-As to Jesus and economics, I have many pieces on that as well, eg: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2023/05/30/a-review-of-the-economics-of-the-parables-by-robert-sirico/
And here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2017/11/12/socialism-social-justice-church/
What actually works to help the poor is ALWAYS to be preferred to our feelings that are often not supported by the empirical facts and evidence. In other words, we need much more than just good intentions here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2011/08/30/on-good-intentions/
There is much more to be said on all this. I recommend that you take a look at some of the pieces I link to here. After that, you can then come back here if you like to discuss things further. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Thanks for your reply, Bill. I will certainly look at some of the articles you’ve written on this subject. My underlying point was just that, as devoted Christians, we may not (we need not) agree on the details of every point of Biblical interpretation and its implications for public policy.
Thanks Marla.