Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.~It corrupts the church by making us compromise on what we teach in order to broaden our appeal.
~It tarnishes the reputation of God because candidates are always just human.
~How many souls are saved by winning elections?
~Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world.
~Power is a very tempting thing to use for your purposes.
~The New Testament seems almost deliberately void of political platforms.
~Do you tend to think of highly political people as being the most content and humble?
~We are supposed to come out and be separate from this world. How does political involvement reflect this concept?
~Who is your Savior: Jesus or some political candidate?
~Christianity thrived under Roman rule.
~When we become political, we tend to say that those who disagree with us politically are lesser Christians.
~If the Gospel makes enemies, fine. But if our political views add offense to the Gospel, how can that be a good thing?
Bible References: Prov 28:15, Prov 29:2, Prov 29:16, Prov 29:18, Prov 28:5, Prov 29:7, Matt 4:8-11, Matt 5:1-12, Matt 6:9-10, John 18:34-37, Rom 12:17-21, Rom 13:1-10, Rom 14:19, Col 4:5-6, 1 Thess 4:9-12, 1 Peter 4:15
Links:
Hagee vows to never again endorse candidate by Christian Post
The Church and politics in America by MarkDRoberts.com
Should Christians be involved in politics? by Frontline.org
Is the Church too involved in politics? by ChristianStandard.com
Should Christians be involved? by VisionNetwork.org
Mays, and May nots, for Churches by IowaChristian.com
Why should Christians get involved? (PDF) by EAUK.org
2 comments:
Andrew, I hope you mean Christians, rather than churches, should be involved with politics. Not only is it illegal for churches to be involved with politics, I are the points you make as a devil's advocate are actually valid in the sense of "church" vs. "Christians."
I'm not convinced that the distinction is valid. Whatever factors would necessitate Christians having political involvement would seem to also extend to churches. Obviously, this would cause a new set of difficulties, but I have no problem with a church stating its corporate positions on issues and even endorsing candidates...as long as they allow members to dissent on such things. As far as it being illegal, that's true only if you accept 501C3 status, which is an option for any church.
Here's the thing, if politics matters, and if Christians have a duty to represent God's principles in a nation, then why wouldn't a church involve itself in such stuff? I understand the dangers, and I think they are real. Stephen Carter's book "God's Name in Vain: The Rights and Wrongs of Religion in Politics" is a favorite of mine, and that was inspired by CS Lewis's "Meditation on the Third Commandment," which is also excellent. But the short of it for me is that I don't see how a church can neglect to guide its members in matters of morality, therefore matters of public policy. And how can a church be silent on the character of men who would be the political leaders? Consider John the Baptist on Herod here.
501C3 status comes with a substantial political gag, and that's one reason some organizations decline to take the "benefit."
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