A ton of politics in the NT seems like quite an exaggeration.
I don't think it is. I'll get a bit more into it now- I was taking a break at work when I posted earlier.
With respect to the Soldiers- yeah that was JTB, but, it is at least part of the gospels, and it sets a good example for how we should set our expectations of how government officials should behave. With respect to the tax collector, I was talking about the story of Zacchaeus- for some reason I was thinking he told the crowd that Zacchaeus had done nothing wrong- but rather Zacchaeus showed Jesus at his house that he was not a dirtbag tax collector, so I was off with that one, altogether.
Anyway! What I wanted to get at was that there are a lot of political/power dynamics going on in the Gospels. When we look at how Jesus dealt with the various groups, we can get an idea as to how we should deal with them too. Mostly it is "submit to those in authority"; however, while Jesus did defer to men with authority when it was appropriate- he also called them out (and so did Paul) when he was being wrongfully trampled on. When they were wrongfully stricken by men in authority, they spoke up about it. Also, Jesus was critical of the Priests/scribes/saducees/pharasees- not in a hatefuly way- but he basically said "they are wrong" when they were wrong; but at the same time, he was respectful to the authority of the High Priest, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate when he was under their jurisdiction. There's a delicate balance.
With respect to "taking action against oppressors"- yes, we do pray for them; however, these days in America, we aren't a theocratic vassal state to a heathen Roman Empire with a impotent Senate. Back then there was no legitimate way to contend with Ceasar. Today, American Citizens have a legitimate measure of authority with the power to vote. Our opinions actually matter (Assuming our votes are counted right).
So, we pray for our elected leaders, but if they harden their hearts and do evil, then we vote them out.
We don't use violence to overthrow bad leaders- we use the lawful procedures established to do that in our Constitution.
We stand up for ourselves, and speak out against corruption, and abuse of power where it exists like when Jesus and Paul say "why do you strike me?" We don't have to lay down and take it from the government at every turn- and not only do we not have to- but we ought not to.
Government isn't really a "worldly matter". It's authority comes from above. Pilate's authority came from above. Kamela Harris' authority comes form above. It almost makes me throw up in my mouth to type that, but it's absolutely true (if she was, in fact, duly elected). The
people's power to vote also comes from above- and we can observe government, lawfully assemble for various purposes, discuss our minds, and vote our conscience as it has been shaped by the Lord (or not shaped by the Lord, in other cases)- all in accordance with the will of God.
Any temporal power granted to us, whether we are the President, a military officer, a Judge, School Board member... Christians are not excluded from being those things- some are specifically called to government service- It's an entirely separate ministry from the Church, but the power invested into government servants is from God- and we should wield that power in a way that God would approve.
There are politics and power dynamics in the private sector workplace as well- and the same concept applies. "serve your masters as unto the Lord" and if you're in charge, don't be a slave-driving narcissistic maniac. These are "worldly matters" but Jesus and the Apostles still had things to say about them. If there is a situation where power and authority is involved, then these worldly things overlap with spiritual, because there is a spiritual principle involved.