A Pastor in Politics

As an Ordained Minister, I am called to share the love and message of Christ.

I believe I am continually being empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate the euangelion(good news/gospel), which is a great responsibility and one I take very seriously. I find so much meaning and joy in professing and proclaiming the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Why?

Because I wholeheartedly believe that Jesus’ descriptions of himself in the Gospel of John are ipsissima verba Jesu (the exact words of Christ). So I fully believe Jesus really is,

“the Way and the Truth and the Life” and that real life comes through Him.

As a preacher, I also enjoy theological discourse. Pondering the mysteries of the Trinity and this reality we call the universe, which was created ex nihilo (out of nothing), is mind-bogglingly fun! Discussing all things Divine is a tremendous exercise for the mind, great nourishment for the soul and, as St. Anselm affirms, the highest intellectual endeavor one could ever pursue. This means, of course, that any topic of discussion outside of (and actually beneath) the realm of the theological is open to discussion by all of humanity, which includes preachers/pastors.

The notion that preachers should be silent on any non-theological matters (in particular, politics) is exclusionary in nature, inherently nonsensical, and extremely unconstitutional. The First Amendment is a freedom for all citizens. Moreover, this idea of a “wall of separation between church and state” is a Jeffersonian notion that is nowhere near the realm of Common Sense. Faith isn’t something we compartmentalize; it encompasses all of life; and all of us, by the way, have faith in something or someone so it makes sense that Faith would be a part of every facet of life. Additionally, Jesus is Lord, which means He reigns over every area and arena, every realm of reality, including governance and politics.

Furthermore, before there was even a “shot heard around the world”there was a preacher proclaiming the Word and, at the same time, heavily involved in political discourse. Reverend John Witherspoon (the sole clergy member to sign the Declaration of Independence), penned these politically powerful words:

“Whatsoever State among us shall continue to make piety and virtue the standard of public honor will enjoy the greatest inward peace, the greatest national happiness, and in every outward conflict will discover the greatest constitutional strength.”

Throughout US History, preachers have engaged in political discourse for the purpose of acknowledging the necessity of piety and virtue in government. This has been the case because… not only are preachers people too, but also because preachers work hard to point out the reality that God created all things, is above all things, has control over all things, and has a say in all things.

In fact, God’s say in all things, which is relevant to the topic at hand, is specifically revealed in Scriptural passages such as these words from Micah 6:8:

“God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

So for those who don’t believe preachers should be involved in politics in some form or fashion… to those who might fuss over a pastor’s political outspokenness, let me be crystal clear.

This preacher/pastor will not allow anyone to push me to the periphery of any dialogue of any kind. I will praise those who exhibit piety in politics. I will support those who are virtuous in government regardless of party affiliation. I will stand with and by those who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. And…

I will speak out against those who don’t, not just because we all have freedom of speech but also because I, like all those who have placed their faith in the Lord, am REQUIRED to do so!

And, like so many of you reading this, in every aspect of my life will strive to do my best to live out the Greatest Commandments:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”