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It’s time to rethink “exile theology”. Christians shouldn’t withdraw from culture and politics, but instead live as ambassadors of Christ — boldly proclaiming His Lordship in every area of life.

In the wake of Labor’s decisive victory over the weekend, it’s tempting for Christians to retreat into “exile theology” — a mindset that makes sense of our apparent cultural defeat and the rising tide of secularism.

Persecution is inevitable, we might reason. Who are we kidding to think Christianity still has a place in Australian politics?

Historically, exile theology has served as a Christian coping mechanism for navigating hostile cultural terrain.

Pointing to Israel’s captivity in Babylon, exile theology advocates urge Christians to accept their lot as strangers in a land that doesn’t share their values. The “way of the exile”, they say, involves working subtly to change society from within, adapting to the culture where possible, and maintaining a faithful presence marked by integrity and hope.

One phrase that sums up this posture is “We lose down here”, first uttered by Pastor John MacArthur (whom I otherwise deeply respect). “We lose on this battlefield, but we win on the big one, the eternal one,” he said in a 2021 sermon.

This all sounds nice, but how is it working out for us? Yes, of course we win in eternity, but Christians surrendering the culture has proved disastrous. Arguably, this has been the default posture of Western believers for decades — yet secularism hasn’t slowed. It’s only gained speed.

In practice, exile theology fosters passivity, cultural withdrawal and a defeatist mindset.

But exile theology doesn’t just fail in practice. It also fails in theory.

Does the Bible Really Teach Exile Theology?

The concept of exile in the Old Testament had a very specific meaning. Exile was not a noble calling, but a judgment. When the people of Israel broke God’s covenant, He scattered them from their land as a punishment for their disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28). Being exiled meant living under divine discipline.

But that is not the state of play for God’s people living on this side of the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection changed everything.

If we apply the biblical motif of exile correctly, we see that Christ’s finished work at Calvary brought an end to the exile of God’s people. Jesus bore the judgment we deserved and restored us to right standing with God (Romans 3:25; 5:8).

The New Testament does not describe Christians as exiles in the Old Testament sense. Rather, it calls us “strangers,” “sojourners,” and “pilgrims” — people who live on earth but long for their heavenly home (1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 3:20).

As recently highlighted by Pastor Michael Clary on X, these terms are not synonymous with punishment or judgment. They reflect our identity as redeemed people, awaiting full restoration in Christ’s kingdom.

Many Christians argue we shouldn’t be involved in politics because we’re called to be “exiles” on earth.

This produces a “loser” attitude of passivity & retreat from the public square. They say, “our citizenship is in heaven,” so we should bow out of politics.

Not so fast. 1/8

— Michael Clary (@dmichaelclary) May 6, 2025

“We are not ‘exiles’ like in the OT,” he explains, “but ‘strangers’ and ‘pilgrims’ sojourning on earth, away from our heavenly home.”

The English Standard Version is responsible for some of the confusion, Ps Clary explains. While most Bible translations use the terms “pilgrims”, “strangers” or “sojourners” to describe New Testament believers, the ESV opts for the word “exile” — but it’s misleading.

“We must be theologically precise,” he argues. “The word ‘exile’ carries doctrinal baggage that doesn’t apply today.”

Christians today simply do not live under the same covenantal conditions as the exiles in Babylon. To suggest that we do “ignores Christ’s work,” Ps Clary warns. “We’re not under judgment as they were.”

Exile Theology Results in Loser Theology

Getting our wires crossed on this most crucial issue results in what Ps Clary calls “loser theology” — a form of political quietism that treats the church as powerless and “perpetually under the thumb of tyrants”. Loser theology implies that Christians should meekly submit to ungodly rulers in all but extreme cases that call for martyrdom.

If loser theology had held sway over the Western church in recent centuries, it is hard to imagine Christianity producing such brave and brilliant figures as Hannah More, William Wilberforce, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie ten Boom or Martin Luther King Jr.

Each of these men and women — and there are countless more like them — knew the truth that Jesus is King now. They understood that Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension marked the beginning of His reign over all creation (Matthew 28:18).

Christians are not just waiting for heaven — we are Christ’s ambassadors on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our calling is not retreat but representation. We are here to proclaim and embody His lordship in every sphere of life, including politics.

As the Dutch theologian and politician Abraham Kuyper put it, “In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which Christ, Who alone is sovereign, does not declare, ‘That is Mine!’”

This isn’t to say we we’ll never suffer setbacks — whether cultural, political, or otherwise. The recent election is a clear reminder of that.

But setbacks don’t change eternal truth. We shouldn’t retreat into an Old Testament theological framework when things don’t go as we hope.

We Are Called to Influence, Not Isolation

Christians are not cultural exiles waiting to escape. We are ambassadors of the risen King, tasked with declaring His rule here and now — in our families, neighbourhoods, schools, media, and yes, even politics.

Jesus is Lord of all — not just in our private lives, but in public life too. When Christians retreat from politics, as we have now for decades, we leave a void for others to fill, inevitably with ideas and values completely opposed to God’s truth.

“But you can’t legislate morality,” some might argue.

Yes you can. In fact, what else besides morality can you legislate? All laws are moral by nature. Every law reflects someone’s idea of right and wrong. The question isn’t whether morality will shape our laws, but whose morality will shape our laws.

Our citizenship is in heaven, but our divine assignment is here on earth. Christ has commanded us to be salt, light and a city shining on a hill to influence the world for God’s kingdom (Matthew 5:13-16). He has called us to disciple the nations (Matthew 28:19). And as Christian cultural commentator Josh Daws has observed:

“Making disciples” is not just the act of evangelism. It is teaching converts how to acknowledge Christ as Lord in every sphere of life. A church that ignores politics, especially in a country with some measure of self government, is neglecting to make disciples in that sphere.

Our purpose is not our own political gain, or even to usher in God’s kingdom (that comes later). Our purpose is to glorify God and seek our neighbour’s good.

Don’t be duped. We are not exiles but ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), asserting his Lordship in every area of life and living out the values of His kingdom in the public square.

We’ve been sent, not sidelined. Let’s live like it.

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