Should churches and pastors share politics from the pulpit? History of the Johnson Amendment

[Michie]

Should Christians speak about candidates and politics from the pulpit? That's the topic of today's "The Inside Story."

Billy Hallowell sits down with Dr. Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post. Dr. Land provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics, and what the proper balance on the issue might look like.

Continued below.

Should churches and pastors share politics from the pulpit? History of the Johnson Amendment

Dr Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post, provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics and what the proper balance on the issue

www.christianpost.com

 

[Hank77]

Should Christians speak about candidates and politics from the pulpit?

No

 

[Derf]

No

Isnt taking care of the widow and orphan a political issue? Aren't theft and murder and war and peace political issues? Aren't relationships between countries political in nature? And relationships between people? Yet the bible speaks of these things in volume. If pastors arent allowed to speak of the topics the bible speaks of, what do you think they should be talking about?

 

[Hank77]

Isnt taking care of the widow and orphan a political issue? Aren't theft and murder and war and peace political issues? Aren't relationships between countries political in nature? And relationships between people? Yet the bible speaks of these things in volume. If pastors arent allowed to speak of the topics the bible speaks of, what do you think they should be talking about?

Today is not a day to debate.

 

[Michie]

Isnt taking care of the widow and orphan a political issue? Aren't theft and murder and war and peace political issues? Aren't relationships between countries political in nature? And relationships between people? Yet the bible speaks of these things in volume. If pastors arent allowed to speak of the topics the bible speaks of, what do you think they should be talking about?

It all in Scripture. It should all be discussed in that context without the partisan spin either way.

 

[timothyu]

All so called politics must be filtered through the Kingdom, not the governments of man.

 

[johansen]

Today is not a day to debate.

Yikes

What days are we allowed to ask questions?

 

[Hank77]

Yikes

What days are we allowed to ask questions?

Derf, can ask me to defend my answer of No. That is debating, which I don't choose to do on Christmas.

 

[David Lamb]

Isnt taking care of the widow and orphan a political issue? Aren't theft and murder and war and peace political issues? Aren't relationships between countries political in nature? And relationships between people? Yet the bible speaks of these things in volume. If pastors arent allowed to speak of the topics the bible speaks of, what do you think they should be talking about?

I would say that these things are not inherently political. When Jesus told His followers about caring for orphans and widows, He wasn't making a political statement. If He'd said something like, "Follow the Pharisees, because they show more care for widows and orphans than the Herodians do." you might have a point, but He didn't.

 

[Derf]

I would say that these things are not inherently political. When Jesus told His followers about caring for orphans and widows, He wasn't making a political statement. If He'd said something like, "Follow the Pharisees, because they show more care for widows and orphans than the Herodians do." you might have a point, but He didn't.

Was Jesus making a political statement when He said this:
Matthew 23:2-7 KJV — ...The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
?
And if He was, is it ok for pastors to preach that from the pulpit (with appropriate changes to fit our culture and governmental structure)?

 

[askesis]

All so called politics must be filtered through the Kingdom, not the governments of man.

It would be helpful is churches could offer something that transcends the current political divisions. To turn the pulpit into another arm of some political party is foolish. People don't need that from churches. Why go to church when can find that anywhere on the internet or news?

 

[timothyu]

It would be helpful is churches could offer something that transcends the current political divisions. To turn the pulpit into another arm of some political party is foolish.

Of course. They themselves are wrapped up in the world, having no concept of offering the Kingdom as an alternative. When Christianity accepted what Jesus rejected in the desert, they lost all right to represent the will of God.

 

[Derf]

It would be helpful is churches could offer something that transcends the current political divisions. To turn the pulpit into another arm of some political party is foolish. People don't need that from churches. Why go to church when can find that anywhere on the internet or news?

This is true, but not an answer to the OP. Should pastors talk about political things in the pulpit? Let's say that a president up for reelection is involved in illegal activity that the news media won't cover. Should pastors tell the truth about that candidate, since the information is crucial to making an informed decision on election day?

 

[timothyu]

Should pastors tell the truth about that candidate, since the information is crucial to making an informed decision on election day?

the point is that the pastor should be teaching that neither side of worldly politics represents the Kingdom, the Kingdom that the pastor is supposed to represent , teaching that the ideals of each clashes. Be in the world, not of it. .

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Should Christians speak about candidates and politics from the pulpit? That's the topic of today's "The Inside Story."

Billy Hallowell sits down with Dr. Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post. Dr. Land provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics, and what the proper balance on the issue might look like.

Continued below.

Should churches and pastors share politics from the pulpit? History of the Johnson Amendment

Dr Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post, provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics and what the proper balance on the issue

www.christianpost.com

No. Yeshua was apolitical. He doesn't care whom we vote for, so the church at large shouldn't either. I have no problem with faith leaders encouraging their members to be politically engaged in general, but it should never be to the point of trying to influence voting patterns.

 

[FaithT]

Should Christians speak about candidates and politics from the pulpit? That's the topic of today's "The Inside Story."

Billy Hallowell sits down with Dr. Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post. Dr. Land provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics, and what the proper balance on the issue might look like.

Continued below.

Should churches and pastors share politics from the pulpit? History of the Johnson Amendment

Dr Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post, provides a history of the Johnson Amendment, why many churches have opted not to speak about politics and what the proper balance on the issue

www.christianpost.com

No. During 2016 my former priest all but came out and said that if we voted for Clinton, we’d go to hell. He actually worded it saying, if we voted for a pro choice candidate, we’d go to hell. Up until that point my friend and I were planning on voting for Clinton. So against my better judgement we both voted for Trump that election.

The ND church I went to for a while had a pastor who was a Trump lover and was vocal about being against of science.

 

[Derf]

the point is that the pastor should be teaching that neither side of worldly politics represents the Kingdom, the Kingdom that the pastor is supposed to represent , teaching that the ideals of each clashes. Be in the world, not of it. .

What if one side of worldly politics says it is ok to murder, while the other side says it is not ok to murder? Since God told us it is not ok to murder, do we not, in that one point, agree with the side that says it is not ok to murder? And agreeing, don't we support our pastors when they teach not to murder?

 

[timothyu]

And agreeing, don't we support our pastors when they teach not to murder?

Not unless the favoured side totally follows the will of God. What good is a side of society that picks and chooses but refuses to accept completely.

 

[Derf]

And agreeing, don't we support our pastors when they teach not to murder?

Not unless the favoured side totally follows the will of God. What good is a side of society that picks and chooses but refuses to accept completely.

Are you serious? Do you realize that such a position would have you rejecting King David and the Apostles, Noah, Abraham, Job, Joseph, and even Mary, Christ's mother¿

 

[timothyu]

We are to represent the Kingdom and its ideals, no half measures