Within the modern Institutional Church today it seems that when a person mentions the need for Christians to be involved in politics, that person has just committed the unpardonable sin. No area has been more sidelined from a pastor’s teaching than in arena of politics. How sad that we have become so myopic we don’t think we ought to engage in this topic in a meaningful and reasoned way.
Let’s consider for a moment the covenant keeping godly people of old who boldly entered this arena in their day:
— Elijah confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel over issues, such as the unjust use of eminent domain and religious persecution (1 Kings 18:18; 21:1-24).
— Azariah (along with eighty other priests) confronted King Uzziah for usurping religious practices through an improper expansion of government powers (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
— Ezra gave counsel on marriage measures (Ezra 9:1-3; 10:2-12), and Governor Nehemiah implemented that counsel into public policy (Nehemiah 8; 13:23-31).
— Paul provided civil leaders with guidance during times of impending disaster and natural calamity (Acts 27:9-44).
— Isaiah provided guidance on national security issues and foreign policy to King Hezekiah (Isaiah 37).
Charles Finney, a famous minister in the Second Great Awakening, warned:
“The Church must take right ground in regard to politics…. The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics… God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for unless the church will take right ground. Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God. It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation were becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you, He does see it, and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course they take.” – Charles Finney, Lectures on Rival of Religion, (New York: Leavitt, Lord and Co., 1835), pp. 274-275, “Lecture XV: Hindrance to Revivals.” Look to the Founder’s Bible article titled: The Key To Good Government pp. 987-992.
In view of the latest ruling on gay marriage from the Supreme Court, I would suggest that you go to your church and ask the leadership to have a voter turn out campaign in your church for the 2016 election, preparing God fearing people to get out and vote and get their friends to vote. Encourage them to vote according to their Biblical conscience and vote for the candidate that is closest to the Biblical standard. If the Pastor of your church refuses to initiate a voter emphasis, withdraw your giving or tithing to that church and let the leadership know that you are doing so. There are so many wonderful ministries that you can invest in. The only way a church will change is when they lack the resources to finance their staff salaries, and buildings.
In Christ,
Dale
Dale@DaleEbel.org