It’s been said (and it’s been said to me) that preachers should not involve themselves in speaking out about political issues. We should, we are regularly reminded, honor the separation of church and state, a concept that is NOWHERE in the constitution by the way.
Okay, I get this…to a point. Pastors are called to feed the flock and guide the church. But here’s the rub. Some of the issues that have landed in the political arena are SPIRITUAL first. For example, abortion, racial conflicts, same sex marriage, gender questions are all subjects the Bible directly speaks to. So should the preacher just shut up about things that clearly matter to God so as not to offend?
Evangelist Billy Sunday was instrumental in the passage of Prohibition in the 1920’s. Was he wrong? Committed Christian William Wilberforce led the campaign that led to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire. Should Wilberforce have minded his own business? Space simply doesn’t allow me to cite the endless examples of the sheer force of influence preachers and fiery Christians have exerted on the world, including the birthing of America.
I believe it is a trick of the devil to try to shut us up now. We’re cautioned to not bring Jesus into the pubic square, don’t take a stand for bible morality, don’t speak up about racism, stay in the safe lane, don’t rock the boat. Political Correctness (Marxism disguised as manners) has muzzled many of God’s people into fearful silence. That’s a mistake. Since our culture is broiling in the oven of conflict, hate, confusion, and despair, the need for God’s truth spoken in love has never been greater.
Men of God, women of God, people of God, let’s stand up and speak up, or our nation may wind up in a place we can scarcely imagine.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
“Let your light so shine before men, … .”