Politics and the Church

Oct 13, 2008

All across America there are churches involved in partisan politics.  They say who to vote for and how to think about partisan issues.  I have always prided myself in steering clear of the partisan perspectives from the pulpit. 

When a pastor stands in the pulpit, at what point does the message “sermon” go too far in addressing “political concerns?”  My personal interest in politics has been peeked this year with all that is going on about Prop 8 and the presidential race.  Yesterday, I made a harsh statement about Franklin Raines. This was used to illustrate my point about the impact of perjury upon others. The problem was, I then directed people to check out his connection to a certain unnamed candidate.  There are two problems with this: The campaign is denying any significant relationship between this “candidate” for president and Franklin Raines, and more importantly; this turned my illustration into a politically partisan point.  I went too far.  This impacts people by forcing them to take my political view and try to make it fit into a Christian worldview or at least their experience of worship at Grace San Diego.  I don’t want to be a political advisor to the members of Grace. I overstepped my role as a pastor.  My desire is to give biblical instruction and spiritual leadership.
 
I do believe there are some legitimate issues to be addressed from the pulpit: Issues like abortions, infanticide, sanctity of marriage, homelessness and the impact of substance abuse, etc.  What issues do think are legitimate issues to be discussed?  What do think about the message and the partisan politics that I expressed?

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Comments

Etienne de Bruin on Oct 13, 2008 5:48pm

I enjoyed every minute of it. I definitely see how you could have crossed the line by suggesting we 'vote for the other guy', but if we are to be the salt of this earth, why not have open discussions about this? I thought long and hard about this yesterday and my feeling is that I don't want to be told how to vote, but I'd love to be educated on the Biblical principals for engaging the political system.

I have noticed many times that when I ask a Christian how they were going to vote, they almost always bring up the issue of abortion. Others bring up the issue of gay marriage.

If one was to consider a candidate's stance on moral issues, which is not the basis by which I am saved for I am not saved by works or my moral stance, then how can we vote for anyone using this norm?

Samuel Winchester on Oct 14, 2008 6:23am

I took my phone out during the message and googled Franklin Raines. I honestly had no idea who the candidate would be, or what your political position was. I know your view on same sex marriage, because you have the same view that God has on same sex marriage. I know the way God feels about same sex marriage because it’s clear in his word. I expect you (as someone very knowledgeable of God’s word) to have the same view. But God’s word doesn’t say anything about which of the two candidates to vote for, so when I googled the mystery candidate I expected it could have been either of them. Your message was on honesty and both of these men are politicians. I know for a fact they have both been dishonest in their campaigns, and you could have used examples of each of them for the purpose of your message.

I believe it’s problematic for us to bring God into our government system. God is a King and the autocratic ruler of a kingdom. We lose sight of this in our democracy and we actually believe we have a say in our leaders. Psalms 75 6-7 reads, “No-one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man, but it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” I think God and God alone elects leaders good or bad, and he does so according to his will and purpose. When it comes to our man made governments we should give to Caesar what is Caesar, and give to God what is God’s.

Andy S. on Oct 14, 2008 2:24pm

I think the main problem was the factual problem--Franklin Raines was an official economic adviseor for the candidate for only a short time. However, another pertinent fact was that the same candidate received the second highest amount of campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie at $126,349. Fannie and Freddie became essentially a vote buying scheme benefiting one party. All this worked fine until the Fannie and Freddie house of cards came down causing a ripple effect on the economy.

I think pastors should speak strongly to issues, but for the most part shouldn't endorse specific candidates.

Maurice & Katherine Littlejohn on Oct 14, 2008 6:30pm

Pastor Tim:

I truly appreciate your openness and honesty in admitting where you believe you overstepped. You are truly a blessed pastor who gives so much to our church. Every time I attend (not every Sunday like I should) you ALWAYS are down to earth and have something heartfelt to share your love and compassion for Christ our Lord. I really appreciate you as our Pastor!
Catherine Littlejohn

Jim Rinehart on Oct 14, 2008 6:31pm

Grace Family,

First of all, I appreciate your candor with your congregation and your humility to offer an appology. I do appreciate some mention of the weight politics can have on affecting our society towards increased or decreased Godliness. It is our individual responsibility to stay educated and make up our own minds. Anyone who votes in agreement with their pastor, favorite Hollywood celebrity,or grandmother, just because they tell you what to do really needs to take more personal responsibility, and frankly I think that is unwise. I like the resources church can provide as well as I think it is helpful for the pastor to point us to scripture that pertains to political decisions we will be voting on. Pastor Tim, most importantly, we love your passion for Jesus and the way you proclaim the truth of God's word without appology. God speaks for himself when the Bible is unpacked and taught. Our hearts on fire for Him will change the world! Let's Go!

Terry Brothers on Oct 14, 2008 6:38pm

I thought the comment, albeit strongly made, was spot on. For those of us that are politically involved it is scary how little and how unconcerned the American public is on issues from this election. I almost always judge a man by the company he keeps, that is if I don't have more to go on and in this case we have nothing to go on. How many more association are going to come to light before people open their eyes. Character is far more important than rhetoric.
Keep up the good work and maybe you've spurred someone's curiosity to look deeper into the subject matter.

Sharon Smith on Oct 14, 2008 7:30pm

I was wondering if you purposely left out politics from the pulpit - I appreciate your candor and follow up on your comment. Many churches across the nation are telling their congregation who to vote for - there was a NPR story on that very subject a couple days ago. Subjects that the Bible warns us against I think should be have pulpit time. Thanks for your follow up.

Glenda Calvo Raciel Alvarez on Oct 14, 2008 8:27pm

I, too, have been peeked with great curiosity in this year's election. So I don't blame you for wanting to interject some of your personal political views. I think it is only natural. I'm actually surprised how well you've been containing yourself!

As for me, I'm not sure if it began with the first female presidential candidate or the first African-American presidential candidate. Nonetheless, curiosity has taken a hold of me. So here I am researching as much information as possible to make a wise decision on November 4th.

Perhaps my biggest concern is that we, as a nation, need to remember that our Founding Fathers used the Bible as their guide to establish our constitution. So I am baffled by the current political arena wanting to remove the Biblical foundation that should be historically respected. I think we should go back to our roots and our Christian values by reintegrating these principles back into society. I suppose that is our Godly mission as Christians: to spread The Word and make sound decisions based on Biblical content.

So in reference to your question: I am most concerned about these issues: abortion, the institution of marriage, and most importantly: how are we going to help those who need help the most (e.g. the homeless, those addicted to substances, the abused victims AND the abusers, etc.). The world around us is in a sad state of affairs. So now is our calling. And we need to let God guide us and be used as His tool for His work.

Ed Fuller on Oct 15, 2008 12:33am

At first I was a little taken back that you would use the pulpit for such a purpose.
After a little more thought, I realized it was because it tended to invalidate the great
messge you had just given. If "let your yes be yes, and your no be no" was really your goal,
the you completely missed the mark by alluding to things you did not say. I am happy to see
that you realized that as well.

I am concerned more that the congregation will look at one webpage and make a decision from that.
I really does require more in depth investigation to see the truth of the actions. For all the good the
Internet offers, there is just as much misdirection there as fact. I do appreciate the desire to have
a man of character in the white house, but my honest feeling is that God will direct the hands of those
voting to elect the man he has already chosen. With God in control, it doesn't matter who is there,
He can still use them for His purpose. My own belief is that there is not a candidate available
for ANY public office that is completely honorable and of such high moral character that no
dirt can be found. We are all covered in our own blood save by the grace of Christ.

If we keep our eyes focused on Christ- we have nothing to fear.

Andy S. on Oct 15, 2008 3:56am

Pastor, I first thank you for approaching this election season with restraint. My view is that the church should not support particular parties or candidates. However, I think the church should be vocal on issues--especially moral issues like the sanctity of life and traditional marriage. There are other important issues, but protecting life and protecting the family seem to be at the core of a Biblical worldview. I would definitely welcome pastoral exhortation as far as issues are concerned. I think Christians are being influenced by media and culture in many ways which has created a lot of confusion when it comes to moral and political issues.

Jack Lowe on Oct 15, 2008 4:38am

Pastor; Fisrt I commend you for your integrity and apology to the church family for "over stepping your bounds". Issues need to be discussed from a bibical perspective from the pukpit, It takes MUCH prayer to develope a sermon with in the paramerters that is lawful and drive home the need for action on the part of the people. Personally I was not taken back by the comment connection the two individuals in question. My reaction after reading your blog was that you would have been in order had you completed your statement leaving out the phrase, " a certain unnamed candidate" The illistration of perjury was directed at Mr. Raines and contained no hint of party affiliation and the following phrase was not needed to make your point. It is obvious that you are strongly motivated in certain areas. As Joe Citizen you may speak your convictions. As Pastor Scott, behind the sacred desk,caution is the watch word. Let God's word speak volumns with appropriates application. 30 lashes with a wet noddle. j.w.lowe

C Peroggi on Oct 24, 2008 6:45am

I respectfully request that everyone check out their facts on each of the candidates. The Franklin Reines correlation to the Obama campaign claim is false and is explained on snopes.com and factcheck.org. Please check http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/fanniemae.asp

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/are_three_former_fannie_mae_executives_economic.html


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