When the Church refuses to engage in politics, this happens

[Michie]

It’s one of the great paradoxes of our time. Many conservative pastors courageously preach a biblical worldview from their pulpits — defending life, marriage, and religious freedom — yet when it comes to the political process, they retreat into silence. They will preach about righteousness, but when Christian candidates who share their values ask for help — something as simple as gathering signatures to get on the ballot — they often decline.

This reluctance doesn’t just hurt individual candidates; it weakens the Church’s ability to influence culture. It leaves the field open for those whose values are hostile to the faith.

Pastors on the Left have no such reservations. As The Heart of Apostasy points out, churches aligned with progressive movements openly support initiatives like the Black Church PAC, mobilizing voters and resources for liberal causes. They see politics as an extension of their theology — a vehicle for advancing what they believe is justice. Meanwhile, too many conservative pastors treat the political process as “unspiritual,” as if God’s sovereignty ends at the voting booth.

This is more than perplexing — it’s tragic.

Continued below.

When the Church refuses to engage in politics, this happens

Too many conservative pastors treat the political process as unspiritual, as if God s sovereignty ends at the voting booth

www.christianpost.com

 

[PloverWing]

I agree with Dr. Wallace that elections often involve ethical questions that are implemented into public policy, and that it is appropriate for priests and pastors to offer guidance in ethical questions. Some of these questions come up periodically in the lectionary, in fact -- our relationship with the poor, and the sick, and the stranger, for a few examples.

I disagree, however, when he takes the further step of wanting pastors to endorse particular candidates.

Pastors should help their people discern candidates who uphold biblical truth, not shrink back out of fear of “dividing the congregation.”

Helping a godly candidate get on the ballot is not “political.”

In American culture, and American law, there's a difference between saying from the pulpit "It's important to take care of the poor" versus "Vote for Senator Smith". Most of the time, I'd prefer to draw the line in between those two things.

I can imagine exceptions. I've encountered a few situations in states I've lived in where the state passed a law or policy that was destructive to people, and our bishops spoke out against it. (Right now, for example, there's a town in my state that wants to use eminent domain to seize the property of an active Episcopal church and close it, and our bishop voiced opposition to the seizure strongly and immediately.)

But mostly, I'd prefer for priests and pastors to teach about Christian ethical principles, and perhaps about how we think ethically when creating public policy, maybe even endorsing some particular policies, and then stop short of endorsing party X or candidate Y. Very few parties or candidates are wholly angels or devils, after all; most parties and candidates are a complicated mix, and people of good faith can weigh the relevant ethical values in different but reasonable ways.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

I would appreciate it if someone with more extensive knowledge could direct me to scriptures in the New Testament where Jesus, Paul, or Peter addressed political matters. To the best of my understanding, such references do not exist. It is therefore unsurprising that pastors who are committed to scriptural teachings choose not to discuss politics from the pulpit.

 

[Richard T]

I think the article is bunk. All you have to do is look at the state of the black churches that are political today. Are they better for all their political ramblings? The best way for the church is through getting people to God. When I got really turned onto God, I flipped parties. I went from liberal to conservative and did not need the pastor to tell me anything about what policies aligned with the bible. Is Maga policy scriptural?

Though I list some specifics off the top of my head, the premise is that MAGA Christians in government are often somewhat vulgur, condescending, unconstitutional at times, and generally not compassionate conservatives. Yes, they do some things right, a few even great. Yes, generally they are better than democrats who also have far different moral weaknesses and a poor world view. But the drive to push the political, comes at the expense of the core Jesus teachings.

Blowing up boats without a better chance to vent the occupants and facts.
Continuing to promote corn ethanol, which actually effects world markets enough to cause some starvation
Raising taxes on the poor with tariffs, while cutting taxes on the rich.
Promoting violence in some U.S. cities without the consent of the governed
Being revengeful and petty toward political enemies
Undermining the court system with constant criticism
Not following through with disclosing tax returns, Epstein files, and numerous other things.
Reversing the safety net for millions to receive medical insurance. Not even offering a GOP plan though they have said they would.
Promoting inflation through putting pressure for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates when the 2% inflation target has not been hit since 2001.
Failing to perform their duties like the swearing in of a duly elected House member. (Thanks Christian Mike Johnson who said he would do it then reneged because it might tilt the vote to release some Epstein files).
Treating good allies like garbage, even suggesting a Neo-colonialist policy of taking over other nations.
Promoting the love of money, that we all will be rich with tariffs, that immigrants are costly, that America first, is the path to loving your neighbor?
Meanwhile many GOP and Dems are using their office and influence to gain money, not just through insider trading, but also through favors, like a Qatar airfield on USA soil right after Qatar gifted a luxury jetliner, perhaps the largest gift in USA history.
Buying corporate stock and making side deals with many companies getting favors to avoid tariffs and other regulations.
Telling the Dept of Justice to not prosecute crimes of bribing a foreign official under the Foreign Corrupt Bribery Act

The facts appear that the Christians that help run the GOP are somewhat clueless as to direct policies that will help most Americans. They themselves practice cultural Marxism, which is why they are so determined to have the power of the state to force their ideas on a population that a majority do not consent to. The Seven Mountain mandate though prophesied is based on cultural Marxism. The only difference is that the culture is supposedly Christian and you use the government to force that through the media, arts, educational system, businesses, etc. Given that part of that will does not align with what many would deem true Christian policies, how exactly are mininsters supposed to promote politicians, or policies that are found seriously wanting?

 

[Evan Keal]

It’s one of the great paradoxes of our time. Many conservative pastors courageously preach a biblical worldview from their pulpits — defending life, marriage, and religious freedom — yet when it comes to the political process, they retreat into silence. They will preach about righteousness, but when Christian candidates who share their values ask for help — something as simple as gathering signatures to get on the ballot — they often decline.

This reluctance doesn’t just hurt individual candidates; it weakens the Church’s ability to influence culture. It leaves the field open for those whose values are hostile to the faith.

Pastors on the Left have no such reservations. As The Heart of Apostasy points out, churches aligned with progressive movements openly support initiatives like the Black Church PAC, mobilizing voters and resources for liberal causes. They see politics as an extension of their theology — a vehicle for advancing what they believe is justice. Meanwhile, too many conservative pastors treat the political process as “unspiritual,” as if God’s sovereignty ends at the voting booth.

This is more than perplexing — it’s tragic.

Continued below.

When the Church refuses to engage in politics, this happens

Too many conservative pastors treat the political process as unspiritual, as if God s sovereignty ends at the voting booth

www.christianpost.com

I believe it’s my duty as a Christian to vote, serve, and take part in the life of my country — but I also believe the government must stay secular. Faith should guide hearts, not write laws. Our government cannot serve all people justly — in law, in policy, or in leadership — if it becomes Christian-centered. The moment faith takes the driver’s seat in government; equality takes a back seat. I live Christ-centered in my civic life, but I stand for a secular state — because true faith doesn’t need power to be true, and justice can’t exist where one religion rules them all.