SHOULD THE CHURCH AVOID POLITICAL ISSUES?

Many voices have been raised against the Church’s involvement in politics, at least from the pulpit. Even the evangelical voice is raised against such involvement, especially now with the 2020 election almost at hand, as we have heard from Christianity Today.

In a different essay entitled “Fear Not,” Presbyterian minister, Dan McNerney, argues that we should not even fear or involve ourselves against Islamic oppression, terrorism, and immigration. Why not? Because God is in charge and can bring good out of the worst situations:

·       Yet, they survive through their incredible faith, often becoming witnesses in jail for their Lord.

·       In recent years, the underground church in Iran has become the fastest growing church in the world, now numbering three million believers.

Of course, I rejoice at such testimonies. These not only reveal the glory of our God but also His care for His Church—us! However, from such examples, McNerney also seems to argue that if God is in control we shouldn’t be. Instead, we should adopt a politically “hands-off” stance when it comes to confronting Islam or other political/social wrongs:

·       Too often, we prefer holding onto and controlling the reins of our lives, reluctant to trust anyone, not even God. We would rather be racked with anxiety than give up control of our lives. It makes no sense, but we do it all the time.

Certainly, we must trust in the Lord and not be “racked with anxiety,” but doesn’t the Church have a responsibility here, at least to advocate for the protection of society and the innocent? And aren’t we showing a lack of love for our neighbor when we remain silent in the face of hundreds of thousands of potential jihadists entering our neighborhoods?

McNerney’s only response to evil seems to be to “give up control of our lives” and to live without care before the proven dangers. However, we also have a role to play:

·       Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17; ESV)

Is this supposed to only be the responsibility of individuals and not the pulpit? I don’t think so:

·       “Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3)

When we can make a difference and yet fail to, we are at fault:

·       So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:17)

This principle should also pertain to the pulpit. Instead, the Church must be prophetic and expose evil:

·       Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)

Where would we stand in the eyes of our Lord if we failed to take a stand against abortion and other forms of genocide? And where would the Church if their leaders fail to blow the trumpet? God warns us:

·       If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (Proverbs 24:10-12)

When we fail to stand against evil or even welcome evil into our midst, we betray our calling. The Church had failed to stand against segregation and Hitler. This opened the door to great suffering and brought disrepute upon the Church.

However, it seems that McNerney would just have us pray, turn our back, and walk on.

Jesus told a parable about a Good Samaritan who took care of a man who had been mugged and left “half dead.” Seeing him, a priest and a Levite crossed over to the opposite side, but why not? Perhaps, like McNerney, they were determined not to be “racked with anxiety” over what to do about this man. Indeed, God is sovereign. It’s His business, right?

However, to be fair to McNerney, he does advocate in favor of Christian love:

·       The only thing that will bring a radical Muslim to his knees is the power, love and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We cannot allow fear to enter our souls and extinguish our faith or hope in our own country. Fear has no place in the Gospel.

Truly, the Church must lead with love. However, love alone did not stop slavery, Jim Crow laws, or Hitler. Force also was necessary.

While we are called to love as Jesus did, sometimes other measures are necessary to protect the innocent. That’s why God had ordained a justice system to wield His vengeful sword (Romans 13:1-4). Nevertheless, we must seek peace before all else:

·       If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)

Sometimes it is not possible, since it doesn’t depend entirely on us. Even in the Church, there are times that peace and love will not work. Therefore, Jesus instituted excommunication:

·       “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:17)

Notice that Jesus didn’t follow McNerney’s admonition: “The only thing that will bring a radical Muslim to his knees is the power, love and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” If our own brethren won’t always be brought to their knees by love, we should not expect that this one tactic will bring the radical Muslim or Planned Parenthood to its knees.

Nor did Jesus castigate the Church at Pergamum for not loving enough. Instead, He criticized this church for not taking decisive measures against false teaching:

·       “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” (Revelation 2:14)

Likewise, the Church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:20-21) had not been criticized because they did not love Jezebel enough to bring about her repentance, but rather, because they tolerated her teaching. Meanwhile, the Church at Ephesus had been praised because they would not tolerate false teaching (Revelation 2:2).

However, bringing politics into the Church is dangerous. It can split a church. Instead, I think that the Church has to focus on clear Biblical issues rather than the specific candidates. When I teach against abortion, transgenderism, or same-sex marriage, I encounter little resistance. Why not? Because a strong Biblical case can be made against these! In fact, we must bring forward this case. If we fail to do so, blood is upon our hands, as Paul had stressed:

·       Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)

Some argue that we have to “keep first things first,” and I certainly agree. However, according to Paul, these moral issues (sins) are part of the “first things.” We cannot be faithful to our Lord if we ignore them.