Summary4 min read

The Daily Blade: Episode #343 – "Kyle Thompson // Faith And The Ballot"

Date: April 24, 2026
Hosts: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson explore the relationship between Christian faith and political engagement. Using data from the Ligonier and Lifeway State of Theology 2025 survey as their starting point, the hosts critically examine the belief—now held by a majority of self-identified evangelicals—that religious convictions should remain separate from political decisions. Throughout, they challenge this notion by drawing from scripture, urging Christians to integrate their faith into every aspect of life, including the ballot box.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Modern Separation of Politics and Religion

[00:20] Kyle Thompson:

Observes that many in modern society believe politics and religion shouldn't intersect, a mindset now embraced even within evangelical circles.
References that 54% of self-described evangelicals agree “Christians should not allow their religious beliefs to influence their political decisions.”

“So more than half of evangelicals think that there is no place for the commands, dictates, laws and morals of God in the world of politics. Just stunning stuff…” — Kyle [01:25]

2. Scriptural Mandate for Whole-Life Devotion

[01:45] Kyle Thompson:

Cites Deuteronomy 6:4-5 to emphasize God’s supremacy and the need for undivided love for God:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.”
Argues that Christians can't compartmentalize their lives—heart, will, mind, decisions, and actions all fall under God’s authority, including political choices.

“It doesn’t say love the Lord your God with the religious part of your heart, but not your political part…that’s just not a thing.” — Kyle [02:45]

3. Jesus’ Teaching: Christians as the “Salt of the Earth”

[03:20] Kyle Thompson:

Draws from Matthew 5:13, highlighting Christ’s call for Christians to act as preservative agents in the world.
Explains that “salt” prevents decay, meaning Christians must actively engage to prevent societal decline—including in politics.

“If Christians abdicate their responsibility to the political sphere, then the vacuum will be filled by wicked people who hate God. Is that what you want for your country?” — Kyle [04:10]

4. Cautions Against Political Abdication

[04:10] Kyle Thompson:

Warns that withdrawing from political engagement cedes influence to those at odds with Christian values.
Encourages Christians, even if uncomfortable with politics, not to “lose their saltiness.”

5. The Legacy Christians Leave

[04:35] Kyle Thompson:

Challenges listeners to consider the legacy left for future generations by their political involvement (or lack thereof).

“Is that the legacy you want to leave for your progeny—that you didn’t get involved in the political process because you became convinced of some nonsensical, a biblical blather about how Christians should just stay out?” — Kyle [04:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Kyle Thompson [01:25]:
“More than half of evangelicals think that there is no place for the commands, dictates, laws and morals of God in the world of politics. Just stunning stuff...”
Kyle Thompson [02:45]:
“It doesn’t say that we should love the Lord your God with the religious part of your heart, but not your political part…that’s just not a thing.”
Kyle Thompson [03:50]:
“If you don’t like politics, or if it scares you, this might make your tummy hurt a little bit. But here’s the reality: If Christians abdicate their responsibility to the political sphere, then the vacuum will be filled by wicked people who hate God.”
Kyle Thompson [04:35]:
“Is that the legacy you want to leave for your progeny…?”

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:20] – Introduction of week’s thematic focus on discernment and the survey findings
[01:25] – Survey result: Evangelicals on religious influence in politics
[01:45] – Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and call for whole-person devotion
[03:20] – Matthew 5:13 and “salt of the earth”
[04:10] – Consequences of Christian political disengagement
[04:35] – The importance of leaving a legacy of engagement

Summary

Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson deliver a pointed, scripture-driven challenge to Christian listeners, urging them not to compartmentalize faith and politics. They reject the growing idea—now affirmed by a majority of evangelicals—that faith should not influence political decisions. Instead, drawing from Deuteronomy and Matthew’s Gospel, the hosts argue that a truly biblical worldview permeates every element of life, politics included. The episode closes with a strong call to action: Christians must stay “salty” and engaged in the public square, lest they abdicate their responsibility and diminish their influence in shaping the future.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.
[00:20]
B
All right guys, let's close out the week. So all week we've been sounding the alarm on a crisis of discernment that is quietly reshaping evangelical Christianity. We're using Ligonier and Lifeways State of Theology 2025 survey as our launching pad, looking at what self described evangelicals believe and then bringing every statement before the authority of scripture. So yesterday we challenged the prevailing view amongst many self described evangelicals that we do not have an obligation to a local body of believers. And today we're looking at whether Christians should operate in the world of politics. So I know that most people say that you shouldn't talk about politics nor religion, but those are two of my favorite things to talk about. So we're going to talk about them and we're going to talk about them today. But what we're seeing a lot in modernity from Christians and non Christians alike is the idea that we have to pick one of those things or the other or neither. So we can either talk about politics without religion, we can talk about religion without politics, or we just keep our trap shut on both. Right? And even though their arguments advocating for this way of operating aren't good, it seems to have worked. I mean I've seen people of all stripes buy into the ideology that politics and religion should have absolutely zero crossover. And a lot of those people consider themselves to be evangelicals. So here's a statement from the State of Theology 2025. Christians should not allow their religious beliefs to influence their political decisions. 54% of self described evangelicals agree with this statement. So more than half of evangelicals think that there is no place for the commands, dictates, laws and morals of God in the world of politics. Just stunning stuff, but let's actually see what the Bible has to say. So if we go to Deuteronomy 6, 4 and 5 Hero Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all of your might. So we see here that the Lord is one. So if he is one, that means he is supreme. And if he is supreme, that means that there is no competing authority that outranks him. Right? And if no competing authority outranks him, that means that all of the subservient authorities must appeal to his standard when doing just about anything. And when it says that we should love the Lord your God with all your heart, guys, there's no separation of the heart into different parts with different focuses, okay? It doesn't say that we should love the Lord your God with the religious part of your heart, but not your political part. Like, it doesn't say that we should love the Lord your God with the public part of your heart, but not the private one. I mean, that's just not a thing. It says that we are to love him with all of our heart. And attached to the heart is the will and the mind, Right? And downstream of your will and your mind are your decisions and your actions. So, yes, your political decisions and actions are part of the heart. And it goes on to say that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our soul and might. So that encompasses all of the other categories not covered by the heart. I mean, this includes your resources, your energy, your activity, your attention, your influence. Right? All of it. Which leads us to the teachings of Jesus. And we see the following in the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. So as Christians, we are the salt of the earth. But what is salt? Its most basic function is as a preservative. And what does a preservative do? It prevents or in most cases, slows decay. So Jesus is telling Christians that we are to preserve the earth. And in order to preserve anything, we must stay salty. As Jesus said, if we lose our saltiness, we're no longer good for anything as it pertains to this world. So if you don't like politics, or if it's confusing to you, or if it scares you, this might make your tummy hurt a little bit. But here's the reality. If Christians abdicate their responsibility to the political sphere, then the vacuum will be filled by wicked people who hate God. Is that what you want? Is that what you want for your country, for your state, for your city? Is that the legacy you want to leave for your progeny, that you, you know, didn't get involved in the political process because you became convinced of some nonsensical, a biblical blather about how Christians should just stay out? Well, that's a pretty good way to lose your saltiness and I would caution you against it. All right, guys, thanks for your attention this week. Stay Sharp.
[05:10]
A
Thank you for listening to today's episod. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay Sharp.