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 their limitations 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 ethnic group 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 with whom 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.
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.