Bible Issues

Do Politics belong in the Pulpit?

Most military personnel  are not allowed to have political discussions because they are usually contentious and views don’t change.  Such dialogs are likewise off limits at many family gatherings.  If you have ever been at a get together where current happenings were discussed  you may have noticed no minds were changed, and the only result was hard feelings between relatives. Should churches advocate political positions? The Bible answers “no” for four reasons.

First, the church must  exclusively proclaim Christ. 2 Timothy 4:2 says,  “Preach the word.” I Corinthians 4:6 warns us “not exceed what is written.” Preach the gospel” is written in the Bible. In order to not go beyond what is written, that is all God authorizes his congregations to preach. God is concerned about each of us. Matthew. 10:30 says,  “…the …hairs of your head are all numbered.” He sympathizes with our fears for the United States. Yet Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us spiritual matters are infinitely more important than politics: 

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

  For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

To put political advocacy on a par with the gospel  is to put presidential preferences on the same level as Jesus’s death. According to Mark 4:26, Christ proclaimed the kingdom of God, not a kingdom of men.  

Second, pagan Rome posed grave difficulties for the fledgling faith. Paul wrote in  2 Tim. 3:12, “…indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” First century Christians faced problems of a godless realm. Gladiators  were killed to  entertain coliseum crowds. Capital punishment, controversial in Western democracies, wasn’t enough for Rome; countless empire enemies were tortured to death by crucifixion. Tens of thousands of offenders were nailed to wooden crosses and left to suffer for days until they finally died.  A popular, barbaric means of birth control was infant exposure. When one too many children was born to a household, a   newborn was left outside overnight to freeze  to death.

Third, despite these things, Christians sinned if they didn’t honor their rulers.  Romans. 13:1 declares, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Romans 13:3 says ”For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” Romans 13:4 declares,  “for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.” Taxes  subsidized    Christian persecutions. Theologian John Christy wrote: 

Nero’s extreme punishment [of] Christians was… one of the most nefarious displays of cruelty. He held parties in his gardens while the Christians’ punishment served as entertainment. Covered with the skins of beasts…they were torn by dogs and perished… were nailed to crosses…were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination” 

Yet, Rom. 13:7 declares,  “…because of this you…pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God.”

Fourth, political involvement by churches to preserve the American way of life or that of other Western democracies  is no different than the liberal Social Gospel of 100 years ago. According to Wikipedia, ‘The Social Gospel is a movement within Protestantism that aims to…[solve]…problems…of…economic inequality, poverty, alcoholism, crime, racial tensions, slums, unclean environment, child labor, lack of unionization, poor schools, and the dangers of war… Theologically…Its leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the progressive movement, …”  

Conclusion

The Bible says precious preaching time must be devoted to God’s word. The USA, like other democracies, is one of at least 200 sovereign states. God loves people regardless of their political views and their nation’s form of government.   The Lord’s church is charged with preaching the kingdom of God.” (Acts 20:25).

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