Christ or Caesar?
Reclaiming a Kingdom Vision in an Age of Political Idolatry
Why does the church seem more interested in politics than in people?
Introduction
In an increasingly polarized society, the American church has become—fairly or unfairly—synonymous with political allegiance. For many, this conflation of faith and partisanship is a stumbling block to belief and a reason for disengagement. “Why,” they ask, “does the church seem more interested in politics than in people?” The concern is not without precedent. Church attendance declines have often correlated with cultural moments in which Christian identity became deeply fused with party platforms or ideological battles. Yet the New Testament vision of the church is far more radical than any modern political movement. It is a countercultural kingdom with a crucified King. To recover this vision, the church must disentangle itself from partisan captivity and recommit to its first love: Jesus Christ and His mission of reconciliation.
The Political Nature of Jesus—and Its Radical Redefinition
It must first be acknowledged that Christianity is unavoidably political—but not in the sense often assumed. Jesus consistently used political language: He proclaimed the arrival of a “kingdom” (Mark 1:15), referred to Himself as “Lord” (Luke 6:46), and was called “King of the Jews” (John 19:19) in a context where such claims were treasonous under Roman rule. These titles subverted imperial authority and announced a new order. However, Jesus redefined political power itself. He did not seize the throne of Caesar; He took up the cross. His triumph came not through conquest but through crucifixion. As Miroslav Volf explains, “Jesus did not come to claim the throne but to bear the cross, and in doing so, He radically reconfigured the logic of power.” Thus, while the gospel has political implications—especially in matters of justice, human dignity, and moral formation—it transcends partisan categories and rejects coercive strategies for cultural influence.
When Faith Is Fused with Partisan Identity
Throughout church history, the gospel has often been co-opted by political movements to serve nationalistic or ideological ends. In recent decades, American evangelicalism has frequently been associated with right-wing politics, while progressive streams of Christianity have aligned with leftist causes. This phenomenon—what some scholars refer to as “civil religion”—occurs when the church trades its prophetic voice for political access. The danger is not merely imbalance but idolatry. When loyalty to a party or platform eclipses loyalty to Christ, the gospel is distorted into a tool for cultural domination rather than spiritual transformation. As Tim Keller observes, “When the church is more concerned with winning the culture war than washing feet, it has lost its way.” Jesus refused such compromises. He called His followers to render to Caesar what was Caesar’s—and to God what was God’s (Matt. 22:21), drawing a clear boundary between temporal power and ultimate allegiance.
The Church’s Primary Calling: People Over Power
At the heart of Jesus’ ministry was a consistent prioritization of people over systems, compassion over control. He healed the sick, welcomed sinners, and dignified the marginalized. In James 1:27, pure religion is defined not in terms of ideology but in acts of mercy: “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” When the church seeks political influence at the expense of pastoral presence, it reverses Jesus’ priorities. The early church grew not because it wielded state power, but because it embodied sacrificial love, even under persecution. Tertullian famously remarked, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Today, if the church is to regain credibility, it must return to its mission: to disciple people into the image of Christ, not into the rhetoric of cable news.
The Gospel and the Public Square
To reject political idolatry is not to retreat into apathy. Christianity has always spoken into public life. From the abolitionist movement to the civil rights era, Christians have drawn upon Scripture to confront injustice and advocate for the vulnerable. But these efforts were rooted in the cross, not in conquest. They flowed from theological conviction, not political calculation. Faithful engagement requires moral clarity without partisan captivity. As Jeremiah 29:7 instructs, God’s people are to “seek the welfare of the city”—but never forget that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The challenge, then, is to be politically engaged without being spiritually compromised—to speak truth with humility, to pursue justice with grace, and to remember that our hope lies not in legislation but in resurrection.
Conclusion
The church must decide: will it be the voice of Christ or an echo of the culture? Will it chase worldly power or embody kingdom love? In a time when the line between faith and ideology is increasingly blurred, the call of Jesus remains clear: “Follow Me.” He does not run for office. He reigns on a cross. And He invites His followers to build not barricades, but bridges; not empires, but beloved communities. If the church is to be a faithful witness in a fragmented world, it must resist the temptation to confuse the gospel with a political agenda. Only then can it be what it was meant to be: a light in the darkness, a city on a hill, and a people who love God—and their neighbor—as their highest calling.