When the Church engages in questions of governance, it does so through two distinct roles: prophetically and politically. Distinguishing between these is essential to understand the role of the Church in society. Conversely, failing to distinguish between the two can lead to dogmatic, self-righteous political engagement or corrupted, capitulating, spiritual engagement—both of which undermine the Church’s pursuit of the Great Commission.
In the prophetic role, the Church communicates God’s truth to society with boldness and clarity. The Old Testament prophets condemned and encouraged ancient Isreal’s society and leaders. Similarly, in the New Testament, Peter, John, and Stephen all challenged Israel’s leaders.
The prophetic role is inherently theological. The prophets did not communicate their own “truths” but God’s truth. Those who falsely claimed to speak for God were to be put to death. Paul likewise did not preach a Gospel received from men, but one received from God.
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