“Keep your religion out of politics.”
We’ve all heard it, but that phrase has quietly reshaped the Church and silenced believers in every arena that matters.
In this episode of the Love Questions Podcast, PJ continues the conversation with Dave Pellowe, founder of Church and State and The Good Sauce to unpack why faith must re-enter public life.
The following summary of the good video above is by The Good Sauce
We keep hearing it: “Don’t bring your religion into politics.” But what if that’s the very reason our culture keeps drifting further and further from truth? The problem isn’t Christians in politics—it’s Christians staying silent. And that silence has consequences.
In the latest episode of the Love Questions Podcast, the conversation dives deep into why faith and politics aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re inseparable if we care about truth, justice, and human flourishing. This isn’t about winning arguments or scoring points; it’s about clarity, courage, and compassion. It’s about equipping believers to engage thoughtfully with the issues shaping our society.
Every year, we see young Christians hit high school or university and walk away from their faith. Why? Because they’re blindsided by competing worldviews—scientific, political, ideological—and they’ve never been taught how Scripture intersects with real-life issues. If we don’t raise critical thinkers who can articulate why Christianity is rational, compassionate, and good for society, we’re setting them up to fail.
Pastors often avoid politics for fear of backlash. And let’s be honest—being a pastor is one of the hardest jobs in the world. They’re already collecting knives in the back without adding contentious topics to the mix. But avoiding hard conversations isn’t shepherding. Jesus said the hireling runs when the wolf comes, but the true shepherd lays down his life for the flock. Today, wolves come dressed as false ideologies, and silence isn’t an option.
Some argue politics has no place in church. Really? Read the Bible. From Samuel and Kings to the Prophets, Scripture is full of political leaders and national accountability. Even the Psalms speak to governance. To pretend politics isn’t biblical is to read with your eyes closed.
The solution isn’t obsession with politics—that’s unhealthy. Nor is total avoidance. The middle ground is recognising that every cultural conflict is an opportunity to preach the gospel. The answer isn’t government; it’s God. Politics is simply the arena where truth, beauty, and goodness collide with deception and darkness.
So how do we disciple the debate? Start by outsourcing resources—podcasts, seminars, newsletters. Point people to solid teaching from trusted voices. Encourage Bible reading. If you prayerfully read Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, you’ll have zero confusion on the major issues. It’s not complicated—it’s just neglected.
And for young Aussies facing hostility on campus: don’t hide your worldview. Everyone brings an ideology to the table—Marxists, secularists, atheists. Own yours. Prepare by studying apologetics, logic, and political philosophy. Watch debates. Read thinkers like Thomas Sowell. Learn the arguments better than your opponents. Most activists are parroting propaganda—they’re not hard to beat if you’re equipped.
Australia’s cultural trajectory is alarming—child sacrifice through abortion, pride parades celebrating sin, sexualising children, rampant socialism, and a lack of leadership. These aren’t just political issues; they’re moral crises. And Christians have outsourced responsibility to government for far too long. Charity is a Christian word for love, not a bureaucratic program.
If we want change, we need cultural embarrassment—the humility to admit we’ve lost our way and the courage to reclaim truth. That starts with Christians refusing to be silent.
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Paul "PJ" Bedwell completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at The University of Sydney, and undertook postgraduate work in diabetes and population health. He's additionally completed a Graduate Certificate in Anatomy by Dissection and published research in urogynaecology.
After being born again and set free from addiction, PJ became a missionary to Gen Z and program director of What’s Normal?, a ten-week video-based curriculum equipping young people to live as disciples of Jesus in a pornographic and hyper-sexualised culture. He is the Director at Youth for Christ Australia
