Pastor Roles In Civil Government Summary

Summary of Major Ideas

In the article, The Role of Pastors and Christians in Civil Government, David Barton persuasively advocates the need for Christians to be involved in politics. As Americans, voting is a civic responsibility. For Christians, it is a God-given command for voting stewardship. Christians who have not voted often give the excuse that they do not approve of any of the candidates that are running for the different offices. God established this country’s governing system and He choose its citizens. Christians who abstain from voting are allowing unbelievers to choose the direction and values of the country for future generations. If Christians desire to follow God’s commands and shape the country for their descendants, they need to vote.
Critical Evaluation of Work

Barton accurately declares that voting is a Christian’s God-given, civic responsibility.

“It is time for Christians to become salt and light in every area of society-including the civil arena” (144-145). This civic responsibility was established in Amendment 15 of the Constitution, “The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied…”. Christians should be prompted to exercise this right during elections. Americans, unlike Christians in other countries, can vote and have a say in their government. The Bible also confirms the need to vote “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's….” Matthew 22:21. According to Mathew Henry, Christians are not to give just taxes to the government, but the time and effort required to vote. History and Scripture both back Barton’s belief that voting is a Christian’s civic

duty.
Although Barton acknowledges that voting is a Christian’s civic responsibility, he fails to mention that Christians are commanded in Scripture to pray for our civil leaders. Christians should vote, but ultimately voting is not the only element that affects an election. Christians need to practice prayer stewardship. Henry’s Commentary stated that Paul outlined four types of prayers then specifically charged us to pray for all in authority in 1 Timothy 2:1-2,“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…”. Not all Christians in America can vote, however, all can pray, regardless of age, health, and citizenship status. Barton should have acknowledged that elections only happen once every few years, but prayer is a daily activity.
Despite this oversight, Barton correctly points out our nation’s apathy to voting. “Many Christians argue that the next generation is not our concern…Christ will return before this.” (144). Our colonial fathers disagreed with that sentiment. In 1835, Charles Finney said, “The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them”. Refraining from voting relinquishes one of our founding rights and neglects our Christian duty to future generations. Barton’s article pointedly corrects Christians for their lack of stewardship in the public arena.

Application of Major Ideas

Christians can apply Barton’s article by taking the initiative to vote for our leaders. When Christians become active in civic government, we will begin to see improvement in our governments’ leaders. We have a duty to God and future generations to vote and pray; both influence our nation’s direction.