Chris Segun Onayinka

Christian Faith and Politics Chris Segun Onayinka

The concept of the christian and the politician is such that it has been met with many debates. It always has opinions from one school of thought or the other. Some literally are asking why and whether a christian should be involved in politics, that is, in the process that leads to the different events of governance in society. Others have said that without political offices at all, the church has a role to influence the society by influencing the government. With this comes the oftentimes misplaced emphasis on the monarchy in scripture, or let's say the political systems found in the scriptures of the prophets. Today in the 21st Century, we are faced with the challenge of being able to interpret those events of scripture vis-a-vis things that are happening right before us today. I for one, having had my own experience in politics, and definitely not aspiring for a political office but involved both in the process of voting and also helping others to be voted for, belonging to political parties, having to subscribe with ideologies which sometimes might not be wholesale in agreement with yours. How should a Christian therefore handle this aspect of human existence?Should a Christian totally avoid politics or should a Christian get involved and to what extent? What should be the role of a believer if at all he finds a leeway or a door to be involved in the politics or political governance of the society. These are the issues that we choose to look at in this material. The scriptures definitely have enough light and understanding on virtually every aspect of human endeavour and sociology, socialisation and politics is one of such. If the scriptures give us instructions on marriage, how to treat kings, how to treat royals and nobles, then definitely the scriptures are not quiet on what politics should be to us and how we should relate and be involved in such issues. This material will seek to look at the kingdom of God, the kingdoms of men and how government is to be seen from the perspective of the gospel. We trust that this book will help believers; particularly those who have political aspirations to know the roles that politics and secular governance are given to in scripture and how a believer should comport himself, if at all he is permitted by scriptures, his conscience or by his belief systems to be involved in the field of politics. We trust that this will be an answer to the questions in the hearts of many as they seek whether to see believers in politics as true christians or whether they themselves should aspire to political offices. We trust that our eyes will open to God's word at the instance of this book and our minds will be enlightened. Once again, sit back with all your study materials as we journey together through the scriptures as we look at the christian faith and politics.