Should Christians get involved in Politics?

So here’s a question that comes up quite a bit in more conservative Christian circles: Should a Christian be involved in politics? And so I just want to touch on a few things. This was stuff I just posted on a discussion forum:

As Christians, I don’t necessarily think we ought to be so concerned about whether our presidential candidates are “born-again” Christians or not – whether they are baptized, or not. What we’re looking for is a “Commander and Chief,” not a minister, a pastor, or even a moral leader. Thus he or she must be able to fulfill the “job of President” with wisdom and competency. But we shouldn’t add requirements that wouldn’t be proper in other secular offices (CEO, Police Chief etc.).

As for Christians participating in government or the civil sphere, I think this is quite good. Why should they not? I understand some Christians may believe that this is wrongly getting involved in the affairs of this world.

However, when we live and breathe and eat and work and play and buy and sell -- we are participating in the things of this world. God has made all things, and even civil government is an institution He has vested with authority (to bear the sward) for the common good of mankind (punishing the evil doer). Becoming Christian (obtaining another citizenship in heaven) didn’t change the fact that we are still to be on this earth. Only now we have dual citizenship, both in the Kingdom of heaven, and in wherever God has placed us on earth. Thus render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.

So, if it’s in our power to further love our neighbor (and if that’s through government) we should (as individual Christians) do it. And whether it’s through becoming a fireman and protecting one’s neighbors from fires, or becoming a policeman and protecting them from criminals, or becoming the president of the United States and protecting them from foreign enemies, I believe any of these jobs are quite good and honorable for a Christian.