When you mix church and politics – you get politics.
**Please don’t misunderstand – standing fearlessly as a church, and as an individual, for biblical morality is not politics. Jesus never shrank from the truth. And neither should his followers.
What I’m writing about here is when a church tethers itself to a candidate and/or the church leader’s political view. When this is employed, the church is transformed into something Jesus never had in mind.
This post is not about whether or not we’re to pray for our leaders. We’re exhorted to pray for our government leaders – all of them, on all sides of the political fence. The Bible says this pleases God. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
This post is about falling into the syncretic trap of using the pulpit to further one’s political views.
Hate, slander, lying, and corruption have always been a part of government. And the church cannot play the political game and emerge spot-free. The French social scientist, Alexis de Tocqueville, put it this way:
“Religion cannot share the material might of those who govern without incurring the hatred they inspire.”
Consider this: our present political climate pales in comparison to first century Palestine. Even a cursory study of the societal climate into which Jesus was born reveals the people were living on a razor’s edge of political upheaval.
One would think Jesus would have a lot to say about that.
Yet, the only thing recorded for us that Jesus said remotely related to politics is found in Mark’s account. The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus into looking as though he was leading an insurrection against mighty Rome by refusing to pay taxes.
“Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.” – Mark 12:15-17
Bono, the lead singer of U2, once said,
“The Left mocks the Right. The Right knows it’s right. Two ugly traits. How far should we go to try to understand each other’s point of view? Maybe the distance grace covered on the cross is a clue.”
Some will misinterpret this post as being weak where biblical truth is concerned. Nonsense.
I have no problem standing against anyone from either side.
Just offering some food-for-thought.
nw