I have some pretty strong political thoughts and opinions. I have a direction I believe that our nation should go. I have a ton of thoughts about the current economic, social, and political climate in which I live. And I could talk about those things with some passion.
I have recently interacted with some of my friends online who would suggest that I have been irresponsible as a pastor because I have not directly addressed the “black versus blue” tragedy that is going on in our culture. I have not used my pulpit to say anything about the “black lives matter” movement. I have also said very little about terrorism.
Generally speaking, I try to use my blog to speak more on contemporary issues, and I preserve the pulpit at my church to speak on the Word of God. My blog is my own personal ramblings, my sermon is intended to be the explanation and application of God’s Word.
The reason I avoid politics in my pulpit is not because of some restrictions that the government is placing on me since our church is a non-profit. I avoid politics because I believe that it makes no sense to expound on the problem, when God has called me to offer the solution.
I believe that the Word of God is powerful, sufficient, timely, and applicable to all. I have a little bit of time to influence people through my sermon each week. I could spend that time in whole bunch of ways. I could tell a lot of fun stories and make sure that they get to know me well. I could seek to win people to my viewpoints on politics. I could go through the headlines and tell everyone what I think about them. I could expound on media, like music and movies, to show the analogies to real life found in there. Or I could talk about God and explain what He has written to humanity through Scripture.
I am a man who will give an account for the way that I have taught my people. James 3:1 states “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Some may accuse me of playing it safe. But I find it increasingly dangerous to share what the Bible says in this current world, and since I am held to a standard and will be judged, I want to be found very close to God’s Word in my weekly message.
I do not avoid politics or speaking much about current events out of fear. I also am not disinterested. And I do not lack passion for the things going on around me. But I am thoroughly convinced that the solutions to our every day lives are found in the knowledge of the Almighty. In a world that seems to be increasingly dangerous, increasingly divided, and increasingly politicized, I want my pulpit to be a place of making the Holy One known. I would never want my passion for politics to interfere with the good news, that Jesus Christ offers salvation to ANYONE who would take Him as their king and ask Him to save them.
So right. Christians ought to be involved in politics, art, education, internet, science, news media, film, literature and all other ways that people arm-wave about the world around us. You can’t care about people and not want the truth that God has revealed to invade the places where people share ideas. See Acts 17 and Paul’s visit to Mars Hill! But when we gather as the body of Christ, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ that we need more than anything to transform us so that we can engage the world as he directs! I applaud your politics free pulpit!