Does Conservatism Equal Christianity?

A political opinion is like a belly-button: everybody has one. And like belly-buttons, political opinions can look different from person to person. As such, I imagine the title of this post probably causes some knee-jerk reactions, so let's get this out of the way right up front: this post is not intended to be supportive or critical of any of the subjects, opinions, groups, or people mentioned within. The purpose of this post is to be discerning. I'm not saying this at the outset to guard myself against accusations, but because I want to promote clarity. With that in mind, let's get started!

The Conservative Revolution

The election of Donald Trump has - as expected - made waves not only in the United States, but also around the world. Trump's selections for key roles in the US government, including but not limited to JD Vance as the VP, Elon Musk spearheading the DOGE, and Kash Patel leading both the FBI and the ATF appears to be the start of a conservative revolution. Depending on your political "belly-button," you may or may not be celebrating these changes. But regardless of where our individual political views may be, Scripture provides Bible-believers with clear instruction:

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 118:8-9

Americans - as well as some others around the world - have the privilege of casting their vote for those who hold political power, and we should thank God for it! But we cannot afford to "rest easy" and put our trust in any political leader on any side of the political spectrum. Our trust must be in the Lord, and remain there.

Never Forget The Biblical Course of This World

The reality is that the world is in checkmate, and always has been. Yes, things may be better or worse for us as individuals, as citizens, and/or as Christians depending on political leaders at any given moment, but ultimately we know the ebb and flow of politics doesn't matter. Scripture plainly tells us where this is all headed - a one world government led by the man of sin, the Antichrist. Under his wicked reign, the world will become the most godless, hellish nightmare ever conceived. According to God this is going to happen, and it will come to pass regardless of any conservatives, liberals, kings, presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, or dictators holding power.

The Conservative Christian Conundrum

While many Christians acknowledge this Scriptural truth, Christianity in general also celebrates the current conservative changes in the world. This is not wholly unmerited: there are many aspects of conservatism that align with some biblical principles, or at least are not openly antagonistic toward them.

But many sincere, professing Christians celebrate conservatism for doctrinal reasons. Some fail to distinguish between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God, and thereby are working to establish a "Christian" world through conservative politics in service to God (for more on the two kingdoms, check out the post at this link). Others take this notion a step further and claim that Christ will not return at all until we have succeeded in establishing a kingdom for Him (a doctrine referred to as "postmillenialism"), and thereby add extra emphasis to conservative politics. As a result, for at least thirty years there has been a generally accepted belief that "conservative" is "Christian," and the association has become so strong that the two are practically treated as equals today.

Conservative Does NOT Equal Christian, and Christian Does NOT Equal Biblical

Here's the thing: the Bible is neither conservative nor liberal. It is neither Republican, nor Democrat, nor Libertarian. It is neither capitalist nor communist. It stands wholly apart from the governments and systems and values created by mankind.

It is also noteworthy that the Bible is not "Christian" in the sense that the word carries today. There is much today that is labeled "Christian" that is an affront to the Bible. This is a complex and nuanced point I'm trying to make, so please don't misunderstand me: I am not saying that all things, people, and practices labeled "Christian" are bad, nor am I saying that conservative politics and values are "bad." Here is what I am saying, and I'm putting it in big bold letters:

I am saying that the terms conservative, Christian, and biblical are NOT automatically synonymous.

Can someone be conservative, Christian, and biblical? Yes.
Can someone be conservative, Christian, and unbiblical? Yes.
Can someone be conservative, un-Christian, and unbiblical? Yes again.
Can someone be biblical and un-conservative? Again, yes.

There are more combinations of those elements that could be listed, but hopefully you see the point. And if you're struggling with those statements, you're in good company. So let's look at it another way:

"Conservative" refers to a set of man's political opinions.
"Christian" refers to a set of man's religious (or moral) beliefs.
"Biblical" refers to God's truth as revealed in Scripture.

When we look at it from that angle, it becomes clearer why we are so prone to equate these things. Politics and religion have long attempted to hold hands in the minds of men. Likewise, we are inclined to treat our opinions as moral standards, and our moral standards as absolute truth. And once again, this is not wholly unmerited: our politics, our opinions, our religious practices, and our moral beliefs should be based on absolute truth!

But too often - and sometimes very subtly - we reverse the equation. Rather than allowing truth to the starting point, we start with opinions. If we equate conservatism (or any political system) with Christianity, then we are essentially making the claim that a political opinion is not just an opinion, but also a right and moral thing. In that case we are forced to ask ourselves: what is it that makes something right and moral - your opinion, or God's absolute truth?

The same can be said of being Christian and being biblical. Consider everything that is generally placed under the umbrella of "Christian" in the world: Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, Charismatic, Non-Denominational, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon...the list could go on. Even cursory research into that list would lead to an inevitable conclusion: there are major and significant differences among those things, despite them all sharing the name of Jesus Christ and the umbrella term of "Christian." Likewise, they all claim to use the "Bible" despite there being some major and significant differences in the actual texts themselves. They might share some terminology and some moral and religious ideas, but they are NOT all following the same book, and they do NOT all hold the same doctrines. Just because something is "Christian" does not mean it is biblical! Once again we would be forced to ask ourselves: what is it that makes something true - your religion and morality, or God's absolute truth?

Who Do You Believe?

Absolute truth is the core issue in this world, because it is a matter of final authority (for more on that subject, see the post at this link). Governments have risen and fallen on the issue. Religions have come and gone making claims to it. And men have muddied the waters by making politics and religion the arbiter of absolute truth rather than absolute truth as the arbiter of politics and religion! Let's illustrate it practically as related to the issue of lust.

There are hardly any of us that have not at some point grappled with lust. The world around us promotes it everywhere we go - advertisements, entertainment, clothing styles...being presented with this particular temptation is virtually unavoidable. So what would conservatism say on this topic?

Conservatism (one of man's political opinions) might tell us to keep it private and avoid some of the most deviant extremes, but overall a man lusting after a woman (or vice-versa) is acceptable. You didn't actually do anything to or with the other person. You didn't hurt anyone. Chances are no one even knows you did it - it was all in your head. And besides, there are "scientific" studies to support the idea that it's healthy and natural. Plus, there are bigger issues to address. Not to mention that "sex sells" and capitalism is one of the conservative values here in the United States. There's no need to make a big deal out of lust.

There might be some common sense notions in there that tickle our ears, but what would mainstream Christianity say?

Well...this is uncomfortable, isn't it? Mainstream Christianity (one of man's religious or moral beliefs) would say it's wrong, of course, and we shouldn't do it. But let's not talk about it, okay? Keep it to yourself. We've all done it - if you've done it using the internet then you should be ashamed of that, but it's also part of the way God designed us, and it's not like we're going to start dressing like a prudes, or stop going to the beach. We will be better able to show people the love of God if they see that we're just like them, right? We're all sinners, after all - none of us are perfect - and we live in 2025 where its pretty much impossible to not lust. Jesus will forgive us, so let's just change the subject. Besides, sin is a really unloving topic, and conviction isn't very "seeker friendly."

There are some fragments of truth mixed in there. But what does the Bible say on the subject? The Bible (God's truth) says:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:27-28

See the difference? I know that I'm speaking in sweeping generalities about how conservatism or mainstream Christianity might respond to the issue, but the point is to illustrate that "conservative" is not necessarily Christian, and "Christian" is not necessarily biblical.

Agree with God!

People have bickered and disagreed about politics, religion, and morality since the beginning, and it isn't going to stop anytime soon. Even during the Millennium when Christ establishes a literal, physical kingdom on earth and sits as King of Kings there will be people foolish enough to oppose Him (Revelation 20:7-9).

Whatever labels you and I use for our political, moral, and religious beliefs may hold some significance in the short term, but ultimately it is of little consequence. The only labels that truly matter are "biblical" or "unbiblical." If you strive to be biblical (and I hope you do), it will influence your opinions on politics, morality, and religion, but you will find yourself never fully aligned with any of man's systems in these areas. As disappointing as it may be, conservatism is not fully aligned with God, nor is mainstream Christianity.

Does that mean being biblical implies sinless perfection? No! Part of being biblical is recognizing all the ways that we are unbiblical! Being biblical means being careful and diligent to find out what the Lord says in His word, and to agree with Him no matter what. Does God call something sin that seems "not that bad" to you? Then agree with Him that it is sin, and take measures to stand against it!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Be a good citizen (Romans 13 and I Peter 2). Take advantage of your privileged to vote. Support that which aligns with the Bible, and stand fast against that which does not. We cannot become complacent and assume that a political "win" is a biblical win, but we can eagerly anticipate the coming day when there will a biblical political win that we can celebrate:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:15

The Sum of the Matter

It's an awfully sticky subject we've dealt with today, and what I've written here is certainly not comprehensive. As I said, my intention was not to be political or offensive, but rather to encourage discernment. The point was to rally for biblical thinking based on the absolute truth of Scripture, which eventually (sooner or later) puts the Bible believer at odds with any and every system created by man. Not surprisingly, what I've tried to express in hundreds of words God said far more concisely:

...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar...

Romans 3:4

A Separate (But Related) Final Thought

On the note of politics, you may have seen, heard, or read the seemingly endless barrage of comments - from Americans and others around the world - criticizing the United States. But have you noticed that loudest objectors seem to be focused on three things? They cry foul that:

There is movement toward returning to a biological definition of gender.
There is movement toward the enforcement of law and order.
There is a movement toward cutting waste and financial irresponsibility.

The purpose of Vanguard is not to be a venue for political opinions of any sort, but please allow me to use the three items above to make a biblical point: the items above are biblical. There are several verses to support each, but here's a few just to prove the point:

Genesis 1:27 sets the precedent for a biological definition of gender
Romans 13:1-7 sets the precedent for enforcement of law and order
Luke 14:28 sets the precedent for financial irresponsibility

With that in mind, consider this: if people are riled up about the current conservative revolution in those three directions, then imagine how they will react when JESUS CHRIST returns and establishes His kingdom! If they have a problem with assertive action from conservative leaders, how will they respond to unyielding righteousness from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? No wonder at the end of the Millennium the old serpent will have no trouble rallying people to his cause!