Evangelicals: How much should politics be preached from the pulpit? (Gomorrah, Gospels)

[bchris02]

Election season is a trying time for my faith as a Christian. Every four years, preachers invoke much taken-out-of-context 2 Chronicles 7:14 to encourage their congregation to vote for the Republican party. We usually hear messages upon messages about Sodom and Gomorrah and about how God will soon destroy America for acceptance of homosexuality, and the only way to stave off God's wrath is to go to the ballot box and vote Republican.

On one hand, I don't remember Jesus taking much part in the politics in his day, and neither did the apostles come to think of it. In the 1st century, the gospel was a personal thing for people on an individual level. Americans quite typically take passages of scripture intended for ancient Israel under the law (such as the much used 2 Chornicles 7:14) and apply them to America. I personally think this is quite dangerous and really shows the arrogance that exists today among American Christians. The only politics God really ever had much interest in was in his chosen country, Israel. Gentile politics were always a side note.

On the other hand, I do understand voting your values and wanting to have politicians in office that reflect Christian values in a day and age when such is passe. Though not there yet, it seems we are headed in a direction in our society where freedom of religion will be under attack, and that freedom must be defended in this country. That said, "Christian values" are usually limited to homosexuality and abortion and translate into a vote for the Republican party. Many of the other things the Republican party stands for are very anti-Christian, especially their thirst for war. Many liberal Christians will similarly support the Democratic party because of the social programs they support, but shouldn't the Christian church be providing shelter and food for the poor rather than the government? Isn't that what Christ would have expected of His followers? That isn't the kind of church we have in America today.

In your opinion, how much does politics really belong in Christianity? Are preachers correct to apply Scripture intended for ancient Israel under the law to America?

[lucknow]

If I was sitting in the front row of a church and the pastor said anything at all political I would get up, shake the dust off my feet and leave. I have done so a few times.

If Jesus could get through His entire earthly ministry without ever talking about secular politics then His servants should do likewise.

[SAAN]

No politics should be preached behind the pulpits...save that for after church conversation, only the Gospels and salvation since that is what saves souls. In the end democrat or republican, its all the same, because they are politicians which have there own agenda that will say anything to get your vote and in the end they do what fits there agenda once they get in office anyways.

[topher5150]

The church that my wife went to had Al Gore, Obama fans that they would hand out, and when Obama won about everyone and their mother had an Obama t-shirt on. They also had people who were running for some city school position or something come and give a campaign speech during the service.

[Mikelee81]

I do think 2 Chronicles 7:14 applies to us. Nations such as Nineveh repented sparing the wrath of God for some time. The Republican party has nothing to do with it though. The Church (which is largely a mess in this country) which starts with us has everything to do with it. We need the Spirit of God to be active in our lives and communities changing hearts and lives.

I agree with much of what you've said regarding politics. These folks have done an excellent job of putting people in a box. For example if your prolife vote republican for instance as if this party is a Christian representative. The bottom line is it really does not matter who you vote for because the entire system is corrupt. I'm not suggesting not to vote necessarily, but I would not be putting any faith in it. The evidence is overwhelming that both parties have been working for special interests as opposed to Americans for the past couple decades slowly selling this country out from underneath itself.

Voting Republican is not going to solve anything but the individuals in this country can repent and get their churches back to doing the work of the Lord. In God's sovergnty he could give us revival. The Christian presence in this country was one that used to influence politics with Christian values it was so powerful. Now this is being overtaken by another spirit. It's because of us though. God takes one King down and puts another one up as he sees fit. When "transgressions come to a full" the Scriptures say, it will be a terrible King. One that will destoy more than Adolf Hitler.

Who knows maybe Christians will repent, our churches will start getting back to preaching the unadulterated Word, the lost will be saved, hearts will be changed, knowledge/wisdom will increase, public schools will be replaced by succesful Christian private schools due to outstanding performance, the currency will be re-established to an asset based currency that can't be manipulated by bankers, the sins of congressman will be exposed resulting in political reform, the sins of media will be exposed resulting in media reform, and we'll have a president devoted to abiding in Biblical principles.. no more pornography on the internet. no more murdering unborn infants. No more free ride/entitlement economy.. ... Establishment of Christian nonprofit nursing homes .. Establishment of Christian orphanages.. Establish a production based economy.. etc etc.. we can hope.

If we are dedicated to the Lord's work and pray for revival than maybe the Lord in his sovergnty will set things straight. Who knows maybe we could even see a real Christian that is under the authority of God in his Holy Bible as President. That is one I'd vote for.

[julian17033]

I don't care which side of the political isle a church sides with, as soon as you start dictating to your congregation which political bent to believe in and for which political candidate to vote for you will be taxed.

Churches have no business intertwining themselves with politics.

We have seen the dangers and fallout that occurred when Jerry Falwell and the " Moral Majority" entered the bloodstream of the the GOP.

The disease ran rampant for years.

You also have church populations that have and do worship the left wing. Do so and be taxed!!


Leave religion out of politics.

Any church that proclaims tax exempt status and campaigns from the pulpit should lose their tax exempt status immediately.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by bchris02

... On one hand, I don't remember Jesus taking much part in the politics in his day, and neither did the apostles come to think of it.

Simon was a Zealot. In a group of fishermen, at least one of them carried a sword hidden under his robes. Israel was a conquered nation under the rule of Rome. An ordinary peasant was not legally allowed to bear arms.

Zealotry was a political movement in 1st century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Iudaea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the Great Jewish Revolt (66-70). Zealotry was described by Josephus as one of the "four sects" at this time. The zealots have been described as one of the first examples of the use of terrorism.

See: Masada, Sicarii



From the usage of the word zelotes in Acts 22:3 and Galatians 1:14 It is possible that Saul may have been a Zealot [which might have been the driving force behind his persecution of the Christians before his conversion by Christ]. Paul literally declares himself as one who is loyal to God, or an ardent observer of the Law.

[Mikelee81]

Originally Posted by julian17033

I don't care which side of the political isle a church sides with, as soon as you start dictating to your congregation which political bent to believe in and for which political candidate to vote for you will be taxed.

Churches have no business intertwining themselves with politics.

We have seen the dangers and fallout that occurred when Jerry Falwell and the " Moral Majority" entered the bloodstream of the the GOP.

The disease ran rampant for years.

You also have church populations that have and do worship the left wing. Do so and be taxed!!


Leave religion out of politics.

Any church that proclaims tax exempt status and campaigns from the pulpit should lose their tax exempt status immediately.

You can't leave "religion" out of politics as "religion" really just means "philosophy"/ideology. "Religion" as defined by many is referring directly to the Judeo-Christian God. You can't get rid of "Religion". Everyone has it, and it's always in politics. To say keep "Religion" out of Politics is the same as saying keep the Judeo-Christian God out of Politics.

And yes ALL Churches should lose tax exempt status as this is an unholy union. There is no agreement between Government and Church except for assuring the Freedom of practicing Religion. The Lord Jesus says to give unto Caesars what is Caesars and give unto God what is Gods. He does not say seek tax breaks in my name keeping the Churches from the duty they are called which is to be the "salt"( salt preserves) of the earth. Being the Salt includes getting involved in the community and in politics. Without it's influence just means that another Religion will step in.

Other Religions such as Adolf Hitler's Theosophy which led to his attempt to establish the superhuman Aryan race leading to Genocide of thousands of people considered genetically "inferior".

To say keep Religion out of Politics is saying keep your influence out of my way as want MY ideology to run things. This has historically led to the gas chambers.

[RuralMissionary]

I do find it interesting that the media frequently covers Democrat candidates speaking in churches. Bill Clinton made a habit of it. During the last election cycle we saw Hillary do it a few times, and Obama has, as well. We've also seen several republicans in church.

When I preach, I have mentioned some issues that may be in the news politically. For instance, in discussing Biblical marriage from Ephesians 5 (I go verse by verse through a book), I talked about the underlying theology of what marriage is. This impacts our view of what marriage should be--by looking at what it means to God. I also referenced Genesis 2. By looking at how God defined it and what it means on a deeper level (symbolic of Christ being the head of the church, and the church being his bride)...it is going to make us think of current issues. I made a passing reference to gay marriage only--and actually spent more time talking about the divorce rate among heteros.

[RobinD69]

We have to have a moral standard and the current secular one is decaying at a rapid rate. No a Church should not dictate who to vote for or support but yes they should encourage and educate congregations on moral values and encourage congragations to support those who most share their moral values. Let's see what is against God and what supports God....

Gay marriage
Abortion
Gun Control
Illegal Imigration
Economic issues
Wars
and the list goes on and on....

Vote your values and be blessed or cursed for those values and remember "The world hated Me before they hated you" Jesus did have a political stance and they murdered Him for it.