In the US, Jesus’ message of good news is being hijacked to serve political agendas.
Political Agendas
The US is in a crazy space right now.
In America, the term “evangelical” is widely understood to be synonymous with “Republican.” It didn’t help that Franklin Graham endorsed Donald Trump for President at the Republican National Convention. And people in many evangelical circles think that there is no possible way under heaven that Democrats could be Christians.
Ridiculous.
As ridiculous as believing that about an NDP candidate in Alberta.
But not as ridiculous as evangelical pastors using their pulpit for character assassination, spreading malice, and lies.
There is no room in Christian character to demonize people because they support a political party.
It’s shameful to hate people who have a different ethnic background or sexual orientation. Hate rises out of fear.
Alex Morris is a senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine. Her most recent article is about Christians and the case for Kamala Harris in the US election.
“The election contest is between a… racist, philandering, narcissistic, greedy, vengeful, vain, transactional, belittling, and cruel sexual predator and felon, and a woman whose entire adult life has been devoted to public service, who has spoken openly about how her Christian faith — and the parable of the Good Samaritan — lifts her up and motivates her work, and whose first call, after hearing from Biden that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, was to her Baptist pastor so that they could pray over the news together.”
Election Day in America
November 5, 2024 will be an interesting day in the history of America and the Church in America.
The US is strong enough to survive any one political candidate or election.
Is that also true of the influence of the Evangelical Church? Will its influence survive? And should it?
This moment in history calls for humility and repentance in the Church.
Please join the conversation, however controversial, and post a comment below. Thank you. And pray for the Church in North America.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. I am getting so sick & tired of hearing the hateful rhetoric that is being spewed by a certain political party in The USA. I don’t like to talk about politics, but all that hateful speech is making its way to Canada too. I believe when the Church involves itself with a political party…it can be very dangerous. I hope & pray that common sense will prevail on election day in the US. I am trying NOT to watch too much of their politics. It makes me shake my head constantly…the awful things said…it has become so “normalized”. It is far from being normal. Thank you for sharing your blog with us. I enjoy reading it. Have a great weekend! ❣️
Well said Pastor Bob.
Michael Gorman’s book on Reading Revelation Responsibly, Following the Lamb of God Into New Creation not only provides a panoramic and uplifting picture of this incredible vision for the church of all ages, but is also correctly critical of the politicizing of the Gospel south of our border.
Wayne, I will add that book to my reading list. Thank you.
Always good to hear from you, my friend. We’ve been through a few battles together. Thanks for joining the conversation. Take care.
Thank you, Julie. It’s a critical era for our province and the entire continent. Every time self-serving leaders and hateful legislation co-op Biblical values, the gospel diminishes in credibility. The expression, “Why are Christians so hateful” booms louder than “Christians are so loving.” You are a woman who amplifies the latter.
I fully agree with you!
Despite being “little c” conservative, I do not wholly agree with one political party, not in our own country nor in America. The political entity in both countries is so dichotomous yet the society it is meant to represent has far more than one “side.” Calling it an entity may sound odd but it is not the democratic system it was designed to be and has now taken on a life of its own. I would argue that politics in North America has become a new religion called nationalism and the country is the idol.
All people share common experiences and we foster camaraderie with individuals in our daily interactions, despite our political beliefs and spiritual beliefs, but nationalism has begun to tear that down. It is creating barriers to functional relationships – even in families and churches.
Jesus himself said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Although he was speaking of the spiritual realm, the premise stands true in the world also. So, while the parties war against each other despicably, the people abide this chaos and even act it out against their neighbours and family members. It has become volatile.
As for the evangelical affiliation with a party? I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. It is absolutely wrong for any denomination, any church, to support one political party. There are Christians on both ends of our political spectrum who absolutely love Christ and are reaching others in His name. The church leaders publicly affiliating themselves with a political party are not representing the Kingdom of God rather they perpetuate nationalism and taint the role of the church.
As the body of Christ, we are each one part and together we make the whole. To be divided and promote division is absolutely contrary to God’s word! Sadly, that is exactly what nationalism in the church has done. As a body, we are not to focus on our nation but to seek the Kingdom of God because nothing should be ahead of it. In fact, in Titus 3:9, Paul warns us not to allow quarreling among us about the Law of God, so, why would we argue about the law of man?!
I love my country but it is not my god. In fact, if each of us was asked whether we agree with all of the historical decisions and actions of our nation, we would wholeheartedly say no. It is obvious that our history is not without blemish and, while the government we elected is partly responsible, we must take ownership as individuals and as the church. Our own history as the church is certainly not without blemish!
There is no authority on Earth that represents the Truth we seek as believers. So why publicly support one to the extent of causing division in the body of Christ? History has proven that trusting a government to do the right thing is both ridiculous and reckless.
Our government is fallible. Yet, God “deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21)
This means we should focus less on who is voted into leadership and instead use discernment and wisdom in our actions. By no means am I saying that Christians should not vote. It is absolutely vital to do so! What I am saying is that we must trust that God is ultimately in control. Cursing and demonizing a potential leader is not only fruitless but it is in direct opposition to the authority of God and the Law of Christ.
As believers, God calls us to His Kingdom first and to recognize His authority in this world. If we follow the Word of God and the Law defined by Christ – to love God and love others as we love ourselves – then our political affiliations should be private in favour of our passion for furthering the Kingdom of God. As believers we are to ACT in TRUTH rather than on words or speech alone (1 John 3:18). I suggest God is telling us to stop arguing and to serve others – regardless of our political affiliations and despite the political position held by our government. Human government will not uphold the Truth, so we must pray diligently for our government leadership. No matter their politics or religious beliefs, we pray that God will direct their paths and decisions.
Ultimately, nationalism (which seems to have become its own “religion”) focuses first on the loyalty to one’s country, then on oneself (possibly spiritual beliefs) and finally on loving others (if they have anything left to do so). Followers of Christ should know better than that! Seek first the Kingdom and God will take care of the rest. When you vote, pray and know that God is in control regardless of who is elected.
So often we equate the phrase “God is in control” to mean that believers will benefit and have an easy life. Reading the Bible, we can be certain that is NOT the truth.
Still? What is the overall theme of the word of God? Redemption.
God loves us and will work for our good in all things. Our good does not equal worldly comfort. We can expect to be insulted, suffer persecution for our beliefs and to endure the false claims of this world. Let’s not focus so nearly to the immediate circumstances but remember that our focus is building the Kingdom of God and populating the Kingdom of Heaven!
Apologies for my essay! ♀️ If you made it this far, thank you for reading.
A thoughtful response, Calay.I think I hit a nerve. This is obviously a subject that means a lot to you. And well it should. 2024 is different than 2004 and even 2014 when it comes to politics. The past ten years have been a decade of growing political darkness. I too am small “c”. Trump or UCP do not represent small “c”. I sat beside a stranger on a flight to Edmonton. In our discussion about politics, faith, and policy, the comment that got my attention was, “How could Jesus be anything but NDP in Alberta?” Interesting.
So well said. Such a relief to hear something I can agree with. God first. My trust is in Him, not in man . God cannot fit into the boxes of the minds of men.