*Update: The Leadership journal article I reference in this post ("Does Your Preaching Touch Politics?") has gone live. Click here to give it a read.
The last time I checked—which was just this morning—70 of you had responded to our recent poll. The question: Will you address politics from the pulpit in this election year? The possible answers: Yes, No, Not Sure Yet. Of the 70 who replied: 37 percent said yes; 40 percent said no; 23 percent said not sure yet.
With my bringing attention once again to the poll, perhaps those numbers will change. But for now, let's move forward into some conversation about the matter. I would love to know why you answered how you answered.
Since most who visit the site are a bit quiet, maybe this will help guide the conversation…
I recently had the opportunity to interview four high-profile preachers—Mark Dever, Adam Hamilton, Joel C. Hunter, and Efrem Smith—for an article in Leadership journal. I'll be sure to link to it when it goes live on the site (the article ran in the Summer 2008 issue). In the meantime, I can sum it up for you this way: each pastor represented four distinctly different views on preaching and politics.
Mark Dever doesn't deal with politics at all (and he's in Washington D.C.!): "Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom is no of this world, so I don't want to confuse my role as a preacher with the role of politicians and government servants. I don't act fundamentally as a counselor in political matters. I expound the Scripture and the truth about the gospel, letting the political parties do what they will."
Adam Hamilton believes that the preacher's task is to help his or her listeners find the truth that's being offered from both sides of the political aisles: "Instead of the polarizing rhetoric and the black-or-white way the issues are often painted, I [seek] to find what is best and right and true on both sides, forging a new synthesis of the two poles—what I call a "radical center."
Joel C. Hunter says, "Preaching is the vehicle by which a pastor brings the Word of God to his congregation in order to mature them into the life of Jesus Christ in all the major areas of life. This inevitably includes preaching into the sphere of politics." Which he does at Northland Church. Regularly. The key, though, is that he has chosen to do so in sidebar venues and not the main worship gatherings.
Efrem Smith, meanwhile, looks to the preacher as filling the role of the prophet in the world of politics (whenever necessary). He told me: "I've always felt that the preacher is primarily a prophetic voice in the public square. If the church did not preach prophetically—if from the pulpit people weren't encouraged to get involved in the political process—we might still have slavery and Jim Crow segregation. History shows that a disconnection between the pulpit and politics would have been detrimental to African-Americans and other non-European Americans."
So—do you tend more toward being a Dever, a Hamilton, a Hunter, or a Smith? Why—and why not the others?
Posted by Brian Lowery at 11:47 AM on September 15, 2008
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This is too easy. Mr. Dever actually looks to Scripture to make his point, and the others only voice their personal opinion. Again, this one is too easy!
Blake
(Alabama)
Posted by: Blake on September 15, 2008
Hold on there, Blake! You're being terribly unfair. Though I think Dever makes a great point, you must remember that these snippets are taken from a larger article that will soon be released. Don't be so quick to dismiss these other brothers. I've read the article, and I can tell you that they ALL stress the power of the Word. Besides, as much as I like what Dever said, there are many more Scriptures to be considered. Does quoting (not directly, mind you) one text make him more biblical than someone who hints at a theologically sound idea that's born out of systematic study? Are there not texts to support the others' ideas? Be careful - and for goodness' sakes: don't say this is easy - signed, sealed, and delivered - simpyl because someone tossed out a text.
Posted by: Glenn on September 15, 2008
I am currently preaching a series titled Religion & Politics. I am addressing the major political issues we face during this election year. I believe it is an obligation we as Christians have to be involved in our communities, including politics. That means Christians need to be informed concerning the Biblical basis for the issues we face. Where else should that happen from, besides the pulpit?
Posted by: Alan on September 16, 2008
Greetings,
I understand the laws of the separation of church and state however I believe that your faith or lack thereof is very much the foundation of not only what you believe but how you live out your beliefs personally, professionally and politically.
Our character is driven by what we believe and we see very little character in politics! That causes me to pause.
I believe that a Pastors role is not to inform or advise God's people on WHO TO VOTE FOR SPECIFICALLY but they should preach the Word of God in truth AND they should tell the people to pray for God's wisdom in their vote and to pray for the process and people involved. In addition, it's important to tell the people that they should cast their vote NOT based on rhetoric but on what they say AND how they have and are living it out. Leading the people to vote for the one who MORE closely represents biblical principles because as Christians we live in the world but not of the world and we are supposed to do all things as unto the Lord and that includes VOTING therefore our vote should NOT be cast based on race, gender, party dedication, family history or popularity but based on the person who more closely represents (speaks and lives) the principles found in the Bible realizing everyone is flawed. That is how I have led people who have asked me via my Ministry website and blogs.
It's impossible not to address politics in some fashion in the church because it has to do with how we live --people who govern us, etc. Since we as Christians ALSO vote then there will be conversation. The key is to deliver it in a manner that EMPHASIS Biblical principles rather than party interests.
God bless you all.
Posted by: Lisa on September 17, 2008
Greetings everyone, I'm not a Pastor but I am a Christian and we're treading on a very sensitive and dangerous territory. For example, when Preachers preach politics, this can be conveyed as God is for one side and not the other. (If he's not talking about both truths.) For instance, if he/she Preaches that Abortion in Wrong (Rebulicans) and not talk about Capital Punishments (Democrats) he's being hypocritical. Both in my view is Murder. Also, if he talks about how being a homosexual is wrong, but doesn't mention that in spite of that, God says love you neighbor, he's also being hypocritical. Yes, homosexuality and homosexual marriages I believe to be wrong, we must remember that they were fearfully and wonderfully made the same, as us. He/She should state, God stay love your neighbor, as thy self. We should pray for them and love them. The Democratic candidates are against gay marriages, but for Human Rights. But I'm sure tomorrow in those sermons across the Country, this will not be mentioned. If he doesn't talk about how God says feed the hungry and take care of the little ones. He will definitely distort God's word. So the bottom line is this, if you preach politics in the Pulpit, please speak the whole truths and nothing but the truths. Don't say one candidate is better because of a particular issue, but say how each issue is viewed by God. The way I see it, after we all vote, just repent. Because I pray, as Christian we don't agree totally with either side. God Bless
Posted by: Anonymous on September 27, 2008
Wait a minute, churchs cannot preach politics, they are tax exempt, meaning, my tax money is paying for the existence of the church. The church is there as a public service, not the service of a political party. It is there for the people, not the politicians. Do not take my tax money and allocate it toward one candidate over another! How dare you spit in the face of those of us who have contributed to your ability to preach the word of GOD by instead preaching the word of POLITICIANS! Preach GOD's word, not the word of imperfect and corrupt MEN. If the Christian church has become this, then I am not a Christian anymore, not because my beliefs have changed, but because the church has changed. I never left the church, the church has left me! Please come back! Please examine close your words against those preached by Christ, brotherhood, peace, unity, charity, tollerance, community service, and tell me, why has the church abandoned this? The church has aborted the word of God.
Posted by: Marik Bromine on September 29, 2008
When Jesus was tempted, one of his "temptations" was the offer of 'all the kingdoms of the world', right? What were they at that time? China, Egypt, Greece, Rome.... What would they be at THIS time? Basically the same, with a few power shifts. He didn't accept them because to do so would have required an act of worship to the one to whom they've been given ("The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one"). Later, he said that his kingdom was no part of this world, and that his followers were to be NO PART of this world AS he was no part of it.
You CANNOT seperate being religious IN a nation and at the same time be involved in the politics of the nations without [unacceptable] compromise. You cannot serve two masters. You can either support God's rule, or the arrogant self-rule of humans - but not both. Israel once had it put before them: "Here is your king!" Their choice: "We have no king but Ceasar!" That choice is again put before MANKIND one last time. Either the King of Kings that the churches CLAIM to preach, or "Ceasar".
Posted by: MIKCTR on September 29, 2008
This is a very dangerous thing. It is bad enough to have two poltical parties fighting it our. Now you are saying you want Churches to dictate who we vote for. We will be pitting religion against religion. God may guide me to whom to vote for but not another person who just happens to be a preacher. No thanks.
Posted by: Beverly Norman on September 29, 2008
Do you posters even read the articles or just say whatever random idiocy runs through your minds?
Posted by: Anonymous on October 4, 2008