4. Some Christians need to stay completely away from the political arena.
As I noted above, not all Christians are called to get directly involved in politics and government. Those who are not should be very careful to remain faithful to the specific responsibilities entrusted to them by God and not get tempted into political activity. They should certainly pray for their leaders, vote, help others register to vote, and encourage others to get to the polls on Election Day. These are basic civic responsibilities, after all, and pastors and others in ministry should set a good example in this area for those they oversee. But while some pastors and ministry leaders should publicly endorse a candidate or be actively engaged in political campaigns when the Lord directs them, those who haven’t been called should avoid such activities at all costs, even though the law permits a wider degree of political involvement for clergy members than most people realize. Rather, they should stay focused on preaching and teaching the Bible, sharing the gospel, making disciples, shepherding their flock, and counseling those in need. A shepherd, after all, needs to be able to care for Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the unaffiliated. A partisan reputation could severely hinder some believers from effectively exercising their spiritual gifts and divine callings.
The apostle Paul could have organized political opposition to the Roman government in addition to preaching the gospel and planting churches. But that’s not what God told him to do. Likewise, consider this passage, John 6:15: “So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.” Jesus Christ certainly came to earth to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords, but not by some human political process. That was not the Father’s will for his life, so he avoided it at all costs.
Remember, ultimately we are called to serve the Kingdom of God, not to help build kingdoms on earth. The key is prayer and fasting and seeking the specific will of God. What is he calling you to do? This is no time for indecision or cowardice. The fate of the country hangs in the balance. Are you supposed to be like Nehemiah, a strong follower of the Lord who was called to serve as governor of Judah, the political leader of the people? Nehemiah oversaw the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, organized the people to defend themselves from multiple enemies, and administered numerous civil reforms. Or are you supposed to be like Ezra, another strong follower of the Lord, who was called to serve as a priest and the spiritual leader of the people? Ezra taught the Word of God, leading the people in prayer and repentance, and administered the religious reforms of his day. Each of us must come to a deep conviction of our role and then be “all in.” We must know the Lord’s will and then obey him with more passion and determination than ever before in our lives.
5. Christians must not become addicted to partisanship.
I have met too many Christians over the years who have become completely obsessed with winning political battles at all costs. They have allowed their utter devotion to a political party to trump their essential commitment to Christ. It’s not pretty.
Even if we’re called into political activity, we must maintain balance and perspective. Now is no time to become angry with people who disagree with you politically or to treat political opponents unkindly. Yes, the stakes are high. Yes, the fate of our country hangs in the balance. But Jesus told us to love our neighbor and love our enemies. He commanded us to show kindness and gentleness to everyone we encounter. So fight hard—and clean—for your beliefs, your values, and your team. But don’t get addicted to partisanship. Don’t become nasty and petty, even if others do. It’s not worth it. It’s not Christlike. And it won’t work.
Also, remember that one political party may represent your values better than another, but it cannot save you. Politics isn’t the ultimate answer. Don’t imagine for one moment that just by winning an election, the enormous problems facing our nation will suddenly be solved overnight. It’s not going to happen that way. The battles are going to intensify. The opposition will increase. If Washington can be turned around at all, it will only happen amid enormous political combat, day by day, week by week, year by year. It’s not for the faint of heart. It is warfare by nonlethal means. That’s precisely what our founders intended. And if history is any guide, the opposition doesn’t always fight fair.
If you’re hoping for your political party to take over Washington and make everything all better just because they control all the levers of power, forget it. It’s a pipe dream. Lynn and I have seen it all in this town. We’ve seen Democrats control everything—the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. We’ve seen the Republicans control everything. We’ve seen the government split between Democrat and Republican control. We’ve seen the budget balanced for a few years, then spin wildly out of control all over again. We must pray and work hard with the hope that God will have mercy and allow our elected national leaders to make things better. But never forget this basic truth: politicians are going to let you down, so brace yourself for disappointment.
Take our democracy seriously, but don’t put all your emotional eggs in the political basket. Don’t become obsessed with the political process. Don’t become fixated on political change as though your hope is in the Republican Party or the Democratic Party or some other party, rather than Jesus Christ, our soon-coming King.
There was a point in my life when I was becoming a bit too enthralled with partisan politics. I knew that God was directing me to be engaged in the political arena for a season, but I didn’t always maintain a proper balance and perspective. Often I had to make course corrections. For example, at one point while I was working as the deputy campaign manager for a Republican presidential contender, Lynn was discipling a young woman who was a relatively new Christian and an outspoken Democrat. She became agitated anytime I talked about my candidate or his issues, and Lynn suggested that I cool it by not talking about politics when the young woman was around. She was right. Helping that young woman grow in her faith in Christ was far more important than trying to persuade her to change her party or her vote.
People say, “Never talk about religion or politics.” My career has actually been about doing both. But my experience with that young woman helped me rethink how to navigate these tricky waters. I resolved not to talk much about politics with the young men I have discipled over the years. If they bring up political topics, I am happy to answer some of their questions, but even then I’ve tried to be circumspect. Most of these young men were hungry to know God, not hungry to become Republicans. Good for them. I can’t say I always found the right balance. But with God’s help and Lynn’s encouragement, I’ve tried.
Today, I like to say that I’ve gone through “political detox”—I’m out; I’m clean! People usually laugh when I say it, but I’m serious. What I mean is that I have asked God to help me not be addicted to political partisanship. I no longer work professionally for political campaigns. I no longer work as an activist for a particular political party or movement. And I try hard to limit my partisan comments. I still have deeply held views on policies and politics, of course, and I believe God has given me the freedom both to speak out on issues and to provide private advice and counsel to national and international leaders who seek it. But I went through “political detox” for a very specific reason. I don’t want to do or say anything that could distract people here at home or abroad from the message God has given me to communicate concerning the importance of preaching the gospel and making disciples in fulfillment of the great commission, the urgent need for a Third Great Awakening, the importance of Bible prophecy, God’s heart for Israel and her neighbors, and the increasingly close return of Jesus Christ.
God gave me a season in politics. Now he has given me a different calling, and it is one that I seek to take very seriously. How about you?
Bottom Line
As John Winthrop finished his message to the pilgrims on the Arbella on that dramatic voyage, he not only spoke of creatin
g a shining “city upon a hill” but also warned them in no uncertain terms what could happen if they did not stay close to Christ in the New World.
If our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other gods, our pleasure and profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it. Therefore let us choose life, that we and our seed may live, by obeying his voice and cleaving to him, for he is our life and our prosperity.[454]
How we need to hear and heed Governor Winthrop’s message today. For our nation is in grave danger. That’s why God is shaking us—to wake us up and get us to change course before it’s too late.
Can America once again be a shining city on a hill? I don’t know for certain, but I hope so. As a person who deeply loves America, it is my earnest prayer that this nation can once more be good and thus once more be great. And as a person who much more deeply loves Jesus Christ, I believe with all my heart that if we are to avoid implosion as a nation, we must repent of our sins and turn to Christ—personally and nationally.
Will you join me in that endeavor? Will you pray with me for our nation, for the church, and for a Third Great Awakening? Will you examine your own heart and seek your own personal revival? Will you work to engage your church and your culture with the truths of Scripture? Will you ask God to show you whether he wants you to be involved in political change, and if so, how? Our founders devoted their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to creating a nation that would protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What are you and I willing to devote to saving this country?
We must not kid ourselves. The evidence suggests we may very well be aboard the Titanic, heading for icebergs and inexplicably increasing our speed toward disaster. So many on board are unaware of the dangers fast approaching and not concerned in the slightest. We haven’t hit the icebergs yet, but if we don’t make a sharp turn fast, we soon will, and we will sink. Who will serve as our captain and crew going forward? Will they understand the gravity of the threat and have the wisdom, courage, and speed to take appropriate action before it is too late? What is our role as passengers? Are we to succumb to decadence, indulging ourselves in amusements and entertainment and alcohol with no regard for our own safety or the safety of others aboard? Or will we rise up, sound the alarm, and take action while we still can?
As you make your decision and I make mine, let us also remember the dangers that lie ahead even if we are successful. Remember, the First and Second Great Awakenings didn’t ultimately spare the American people from the fast-approaching Revolutionary War of the eighteenth century or the Civil War of the nineteenth century. Devastating, life-altering conflicts were coming. But God knew they were coming and wanted Americans to be spiritually and morally ready for great pain, hardship, and sacrifice. Would a Third Great Awakening spare us from wars and other traumas, whether from Middle Eastern Radicals, Asian tyrants, terrorist forces, or other forces, natural or supernatural? No, I don’t believe it would. But we need such an awakening and sweeping government reforms anyway. For only then will we as the American people be prepared for anything and everything that lies ahead.
Now is the time for brave hearts and bold actions. Now is the time to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12, NIV).
To be candid, I don’t believe we can be certain of earthly success if we follow a course such as I’ve laid out in this book, but we can certainly be assured of utter disaster if we do not. If you and I will put everything on the line, then I pray America may still have time to change direction and receive God’s grace.
As John Winthrop urged his fellow passengers, I urge all of us: let us choose life by obeying God’s voice and clinging to him, for he is our life, our prosperity, and our ultimate hope.
Now is the time. Let us choose wisely.
RECOMMENDED READING
Mark A. Noll, The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys (IVP Academic, 2003)
Mark A. Noll, A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada (Eerdmans, 1992)
Arnold A. Dallimore, George Whitefield: God’s Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century (Crossway, 1990)
Richard L. Bushman, ed., The Great Awakening: Documents on the Revival of Religion, 1740-1745 (University of North Carolina Press, 1989)
Thomas S. Kidd, The Great Awakening: A Brief History with Documents (Yale University Press, 2007)
John Wigger, American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists (Oxford University Press, USA, 2009)
Charles G. Finney, The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney (Bethany House, 1977)
William G. McLoughlin, Jr., Modern Revivalism: Charles Grandison Finney to Billy Graham (Wipf and Stock, 2005)
Collin Hansen and John Woodbridge, A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch and Stir (Zondervan, 2010)
George Barna, Futurecast: What Today’s Trends Mean for Tomorrow’s World (Tyndale House, 2011)
David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity . . . and Why It Matters (Baker Books, 2007)
David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (Multnomah, 2010)
Anne Graham Lotz, Expecting to See Jesus: A Wake-Up Call for God’s People (Zondervan, 2011)
Gregg Matte, I AM Changes Who i Am: Who Jesus Is Changes Who I Am; What Jesus Does Changes What I Am to Do (Regal, 2012)
Bill Bright, The Coming Revival: America’s Call to Fast, Pray, and “Seek God’s Face” (Thomas Nelson, 1995)
Billy Graham, Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham (HarperCollins, 1997)
Charles Swindoll, The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal (FaithWords, 2010)
Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (David C. Cook, 2008)
Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (Zondervan, 1998)
Chuck Smith and Tal Brooke, Harvest (Word for Today, 2005)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to work with such a great publisher. The folks at Tyndale House are the best in the business. They have become dear friends, and I am very grateful for our partnership. Very special thanks to Mark Taylor, Jeff Johnson, Ron Beers, Karen Watson, Jeremy Taylor, Jan Stob, Cheryl Kerwin, Dean Renninger (for his always-amazing covers), and the rest of the phenomenal Tyndale team. It’s a joy to work together.
Thanks to Scott Miller, my amazing agent and good friend at Trident Media Group.
Thanks to my loving family—my mom and dad, Len and Mary Jo Rosenberg; June “Bubbe” Meyers; the entire Meyers family; the Rebeizes; the Scomas; and the Urbanskis.
Thanks to my dear friends Edward and Kailea Hunt, Tim and Carolyn Lugbill, Steve and Barb Klemke, Fred and Sue Schwien, Tom and Sue Yancy, John and Cheryl Moser, Jeremy and Angie Grafman, Nancy Pierce, Jeff and Naomi Cuozzo, Lance and Angie Emma, Lucas and Erin Edwards, Chung and Farah Woo, Dr. T. E. Koshy and family, and all our teammates and allies who work with or for the Joshua Fund and November Communications, Inc.
Most of all, thanks to my best friend and awesome wife, Lynn—you are more than I could have ever hoped for, dreamed of, or imagined—and thanks to our four wonderful sons and prayer warriors: Caleb, Jacob, Jonah, and Noah. I love doing life with all of you, and I will love you guys forever!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JOEL C. ROSENBERG is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 2.5 million copies in print. His books include The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, Dead Heat, Epicenter, Inside the Revolution, The Twelfth Imam, and The Tehran Initiative. He is the cofounder and president of the Joshua Fund, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize Christians “to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3,” whose methods include providing humanitarian relief to the poor and needy in the Mid
dle East. As a communications strategist, he has worked with some of the world’s most influential leaders in business, politics, and media. He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV programs, including ABC’s Nightline, CNN, FOX News Channel, History, and MSNBC. He has been profiled by the New York Times, the Washington Times, World magazine, and the Jerusalem Post. He has addressed audiences all over the world, including Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Philippines, France, Germany, and Belgium, and has spoken at the White House, the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, and the European Union Parliament.
The first page of his first novel—The Last Jihad—puts readers inside the cockpit of a hijacked jet, coming on a kamikaze attack into an American city, which leads to a war with Saddam Hussein over weapons of mass destruction. Yet it was written months before 9/11 and published before the actual war with Iraq. The Last Jihad spent eleven weeks on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, reaching as high as #7. It raced up the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, hit #4 on the Wall Street Journal list, and hit #1 on Amazon.com.
His second thriller—The Last Days—opens with the death of Yasser Arafat and a U.S. diplomatic convoy ambushed in Gaza. Two weeks before The Last Days was published in hardcover, a U.S. diplomatic convoy was ambushed in Gaza. Thirteen months later, Yasser Arafat was dead. The Last Days spent four weeks on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, hit #5 on the Denver Post list, and hit #8 on the Dallas Morning News list. Both books were optioned by a Hollywood producer.
The Ezekiel Option centers on a dictator rising in Russia who forms a military alliance with the leaders of Iran as they feverishly pursue nuclear weapons and threaten to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. On the very day it was published in June 2005, Iran elected a new leader who vowed to accelerate the country’s nuclear program and later threatened to “wipe Israel off the map.” Six months after it was published, Moscow signed a $1 billion arms deal with Tehran. The Ezekiel Option spent four weeks on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list and five months on the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list, reaching as high as #4. It won the 2006 Gold Medallion award from the CBA as the year’s best novel.