Christians and Politics

CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS
Let’s just start off with the real big question; should Christians be involved in politics?

To arrive at a more truthful, convincing and revealing answer, why don’t we examine the true essence and grass root of politics. The word politics was derived from the original Greek word “POLITIKA”, translates as, the affairs of the cities. In fact, the entire system of democracy and politics as practiced globally today could be said to have originated from ancient Greece, in the city state of Athens. However, in the democracy and politics of ancient Greece, for one to qualify and join the decision making senate, one must be muscular, very fit (healthy) and have an experience in warfare on behalf of the state. Hence, women and children were excluded from ancient democracy and politics.

The issue of Christians engaging in politics is one that comes with diverse views from many people.  For example, in some few Christian sects and other religions, they believe that Christians must not be engaged in politics especially as Jesus Christ was not a political figure and also due to the crude measures used by most politicians today. However, some other Christian sects (obviously the dominant ones) believe that they have been mandated by God to take dominion over controlling systems and manifest the will of God by acting and living right. Support of their divine claim is found many times in the holy Bible. (Read from Matthew 5:13-16, Genesis 1:26 and many more). The truth is everyone longs for peace, love, comfort, progress, development, unity, and all that will ensure a peaceful world for all humans. This is the more reason why politics, the affairs of the cities, becomes a necessity. Leaders will have to be chosen who will take effective and transformational decisions aimed at improving the welfare of the people as well as ensuring a harmonious environment for growth and development.

That notwithstanding, it is key to note that even before politics became the order of the day, leadership has always been the norm. For no society can ever live without leaders. In the so called “a cephalous societies”, there were still leaders who were heads of clans and families. Politics and democracy is just one medium that has been globally accepted for obtaining leaders and sustaining the human environment for peaceful co-existence instead of the ancient kingship system. In my opinion, I firmly and strongly say that Christians must be involved in real leadership by taking over political offices and sanctifying such portfolios by acting right and taking humanitarian decisions. A key example of Christian leadership can be seen in the actions and decisions of Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States of America. Another notable exemplary one is seen in the case of the 5th president of the 4th republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo.
God bless Ghana and may he raise unconventional leaders who will live their lives every day thinking about how to make a positive impact and transform the lives of their followers for the best other than amassing wealth just for their individual families.

By: Godwin Yao Delali Degbey
        (The Builder)
President of The Student Leadership Club – Ghana.
        UCC chapter
     (0267235540)