In part 1 we covered, who is doing the attacking? And how are they attacking? In part 3 we’ll go over, what should be our response? When I refer to “our” I’m talking about “The Church”, aka “The Bride of Christ” and her earthly leadership. In order to adequately discuss how we should respond; I find it necessary to dispel two myths.
Myth 1: As a Christian I shouldn’t be involved nor care about politics. Politics are of this world and I’m not to be “entangled” with the affairs of this life. (See 2 Tim 2:4) What Paul is saying is that we should not get so sidetracked with or so concerned of this life that we neglect our first and primary duty, namely, to do the will of the Father.
Things of the Kingdom of God are of paramount importance. No Argument here. But let’s take a closer look at what Paul is not saying. First, the Greek word for “entangled” is “empleko”. It is often used to describe a person entangled in his lower garments or a person who is caught in some type of vine. Obviously, Paul is using it metaphorically. Again, the message is that we shouldn’t get so caught up in the things of this world that we neglect our primary duty. He is not saying that we should be completely divorced from everything here on earth. To bury one’s head in the sand isn’t spiritual, it’s foolish. There are times when we can use the things of the natual to carry out the things of the supernatural, thus fulfilling the prefect will of God. Moreover, being a citizen of the United States and being a future citizen of Heaven are not mutually exclusive. To further illustrate my point let’s take a cursory look on how Paul correlated the spiritual with the natural.
The Apostle Paul was a Jew, a follower of Christ, and a Roman citizen. Paul did not denounce his Jewish heritage or his Roman citizenship when he received Christ. In fact, he used the fact that he was a Roman citizen to accomplish the will of God.
I draw your attention to a sequence of events found in Acts 16:22-38 NIV, Bold mine.
” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
“35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.
If you noticed, the magistrates didn’t give a fling that Paul and Silas were followers of Christ, but they very much cared that they were Roman citizens! Incidentally, at a time when Roman commanders could buy their citizenship at a great sum of money, Paul was a Roman citizen by birth.
(Please stay with me here, I’m going to tie this all together)
Paul demanded that he be treated in accordance with Roman law. In Acts 24:9-12 (NKJ).
“9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
Further, Paul’s appeal to stand before Ceasar in Rome was in conjunction with the will of the Lord. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11 (NIV)
The main point is simple. It’s a myth that the body of Christ shouldn’t use the rights and privileges granted to us as Americans or become involved in the political process. We are American citizens and with that comes certain “inalienable rights.” Those rights don’t stop at the time we became believers in Christ.
Myth 2: (This one is for Pastors and Church leaders) Because we’re a 501(C) (3) corporation we have to stay neutral regarding anything political. Not true!
The following information is from Sr. Wrighter, Jorge Gomez from firstliberity.org. September 18. 2020. The article is titled, 6 Key Facts: What the Law Says Pastors and Churches Can Do During Election Season.
It’s Okay to Speak About Political Issues in the Church
It is a misconception that pastors cannot address political issues—even “hot button” issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and gun control—from the pulpit. Any person or entity that attempts to silence a pastor for addressing these issues is violating that pastor’s constitutional rights under the First Amendment. Pastors have every right under the First Amendment to talk about any of those issues, and there’s never been any case in American history that said pastors can’t do that.
- Religious Leaders Can Educate Their Congregation About Politics
Religious leaders are tasked with equipping their congregants in works of service, and that includes representing their faith and morality in the voting booth. Pastors are fully protected when it comes to issues like educating members of their church about the political process, handing out non-partisan voter guides and flyers so members can read about each candidate’s platform, and even providing the opportunity for members to register to vote. - Inviting Political Candidates to Speak at Church is Allowed
Contrary to popular belief, pastors and churches can invite political candidates to address their congregation from the pulpit, as long as all the candidates in a race are included in the invitation. What if only one candidate accepts the invitation and shows up? No problem! - Pastors Can Participate in Politics in Their Individual Capacity
Serving in ministry does not disqualify pastors or other religious leaders from their individual rights as U.S. citizens. Pastors can participate on political campaigns, hold office on political campaigns, and even endorse a candidate in their individual capacity.
2 Things Religious Leaders CANNOT Do During Elections
- A Church Entity May Not Endorse One Candidate Over Another
This does not mean that a pastor—in his individual capacity as an American citizen—may not endorse one candidate over another. A 501(c)(3) church or organization may not, however, endorse one candidate over another or be publicly against one candidate over the other. - A Church May Not Give its Money to One Candidate Over Another
This doesn’t mean that pastors or church members, in their individual capacities as American citizens, cannot donate to the political campaign of their choice. They can even be the Campaign Chair for a candidate if they want. But an official 501(c)(3) organization may not donate church funds or resources to one political candidate over another. Of course, this is not something we have ever seen churches desiring to do.
So then, not only is it Biblically okay to be involved in our political system, but it’s also legally okay to do so as well. In part 3 we’ll look at not only what should be our response, but how well we’re responding.