Godly Politics: An Oxymoron? A Biblical Examination of Political Leadership

Introduction

Liar. Felon. Corrupt. These were some of the most popular keywords circulated in media headlines and

public discourse during the controversial 2024 Presidential Election cycle. Once again, America found itself a

house divided as a chaotic electoral season unfolded. American voters had two options: a presidential

candidate who secured her nomination without a democratic vote or another on trial for a string of serious

crimes. One question troubled many Americans: How did we get here?

Presidential elections were designed to select the most qualified individuals to steward America’s political,

economic, and social well-being. Ideally, the president would represent America’s “best of the best” and serve

as the moral figurehead of the nation. The 2024 election epitomized the breakdown of this hope for moral

leadership, with many citizens grappling with voting between policy and personality. In particular, many

Christians faced a dilemma about deciding who would utter “So help me God” at the end of their presidential

oath on January 20th. For Christians, the decision not only determined the future administration's policies but

also the espoused moral values for the next four years.

The following case studies of Biblical leaders demonstrate how as believers, Christians can exemplify a type of

political leadership that could remedy our current generation’s disillusion. God uses ordinary, flawed

individuals to fulfill his good purposes for his people, and these Biblical figures’ lives indicate that perhaps

Christians were never meant to self-isolate themselves from political affairs. Perhaps, we are meant to lead.

1. Moses: (God’s) Power, Purpose, and Preparation

Moses stands as one of the Bible’s foundational political leaders. Beyond leading Israel’s exodus from

Egyptian slavery, Moses rose above Israel because he recognized God’s power would suffice where his

human capabilities fell short. Moses initially struggled with feeling incompetent due to his past efforts at

punitive justice for the Hebrew people through murder. When appointed as the emancipator of Israel, Moses

became afraid. He protested, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent,” and, “Oh my Lord, please send someone

else.”1 Yet, once more, God asserted His intention to work through Moses, promising, “I… will teach you.”2

Despite continuing to struggle with doubt, Moses finally chose to comply and successfully freed Israel from

the most powerful nation in the world. Moses further exemplified leadership by training Joshua and imparting

his spirit of wisdom, ensuring the enactment of God’s purpose would continue. Moses recognized that God’s

plan to bring Israel to the Promised Land would not come to total fruition within his lifetime, so in an act of

faith, he prepared the next generation for the fulfillment of God’s promise.

When political leaders turn their eyes away from their human limitations and toward the omnipotence of

God, they accomplish far more good than humanly possible. A good political leader acknowledges theirlimitations

and avoids seeking power to glorify themselves while not letting their limitations hinder God’s

purpose. Moses’ life displays how embracing positions of leadership requires spiritual preparation, regular

recommitment to God’s purpose, and resilience in the face of potential failure.

2. Esther: Strong, Smart, and Servant-Hearted

Being an orphan, a member of an ethnic minority, and a woman in the Persian Empire would ordinarily

condemn an individual to a life of oppression and servitude. Such an individual would never dream of

becoming the queen of the world’s most powerful empire and saving her entire race from genocide.

However, by winning favor through her God-given extraordinary beauty and charm, Esther found herself the

Queen of Persia and encountered a plot to massacre the Jewish people.

Esther was faced with a difficult choice. She could hide her identity as a Jew, evading almost certain death.

Or, she could rise to the occasion and put her people’s lives above her own. Her cousin Mordecai pushed her

to put aside her fears and utilize her position to save their lives, stating, “For if you keep silent at this time,

relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”3

With this reminder, Esther demonstrated three of her greatest strengths as a political leader: resolve in the

face of adversity, the ability to strategize for success, and self-servitude for her people in their time of need.

Her willingness to self-sacrifice and strategize led to the Jews’ salvation and the execution of their political

enemies. Esther’s rise to fulfill the call of her times teaches us that when political leaders are placed in high-

stakes situations, they should respond with strength, strategy, and a servant’s heart.

3. Daniel: Immaculate Integrity

Integrity is the last word Americans think of when describing our current politicians. Yet it defines the life of

one of the Bible’s most prolific political leaders: Daniel. Even after witnessing the destruction of his nation,

being exiled to Babylon, and being stripped of his identity by his captors, Daniel demonstrated incredible

strength of character. When training for the king’s service, “Daniel resolved that he would not defile

himself…Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.”4 Daniel refused to

compromise the right way of living to the jarringly extravagant culture of sin he was thrown into.

Nevertheless, he managed to preserve his integrity tactfully by humbly negotiating his requests with his

masters. He is repeatedly characterized as prudent, discrete, and wise when discussing sensitive cultural topics

with important figures. As a result, “God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the eunuchs.”5

Daniel’s integrity distinguished him from his surroundings. When a group of jealous politicians tried to accuse

Daniel, “they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault

was found in him.”6 They could only persecute him for his faith, but Daniel still “got down on his knees three

times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”7 Daniel’s life of

conviction and devotion enabled him to remember his true Lord and engage fearlessly in civil disobedience

when confronted with unjust laws. Daniel provides Christian leaders with an ideal for leading in counter-

cultural environments. Living humbly with impeccable integrity before an audience of One inevitably incurs

God’s blessing, and absolute commitment to God over men results in true success not contingent upon

popular opinion.

Through the lives of Moses, Esther, and Daniel, among many others, we can identify non-negotiable qualities

for leadership. While many current politicians fail to exemplify such traits, we as citizens can fulfill our duties

independently of their choices and character. Firstly, we need to pray for our leaders, especially those withwhom

we disagree. Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving

be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all

godliness and holiness.”8 We should also refuse to compromise the principles of justice and righteousness in

our politics that underlay God’s purpose for establishing human governments. While followers of Jesus

should not be of this world, we should still engage with its broken politics, defend the weak, and uphold

justice for all people in our society.

Finally, some of us will be called to become the political leaders that we want to see in America. Like Moses,

we should answer the call to fulfill God’s purposes despite our insecurities. Like Esther, we must rise to the

occasion and remember that we are called to serve others selflessly. Like Daniel, we must live with integrity.

In the near future, I hope we will see a revival of faith and political leadership rooted in Christian principles

where every Christian lives as a leader should. I pray that when a new generation of leaders who truly love

and serve our country emerges, citizens will reflect back upon our current times and ask once again, this time

in wonder, “How did we get here?” God has provided us with the tools we need to overhaul our broken

politics. With His guidance, we can get it right this time.



Endnotes

1. Exodus 4:10-13, ESV.

2. Exodus 4:15, ESV.

3. Esther 4:14, ESV.

4. Daniel 1:8, ESV.

5. Daniel 1:9, ESV.

6. Daniel 6:4, ESV.

7. Daniel 6:10, ESV.

8. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV.