"It is a distraction from the gospel." This is perhaps the number one objection I have encountered when it comes to a minister's speaking to political issues from the pulpit. As a matter of fact, it was only a couple of weeks ago that a local minister made this kind of remark in his address to those gathered at the county's ministerial association meeting. In essence he said, "Why cause people to shut their ears to the gospel by speaking on political issues?"
I understand why many a respected minister and layman alike believe that politics is a roadblock to the propagation of the gospel. Pretty much everyone has strong feelings about political issues. As a result any mention will make them skeptical of anything else you might say. This is, after all, why they say we shouldn't talk about politics or religion. They are hot button issues that can easily rouse a defensive posture. So it is no wonder why many think such comments are a hindrance (annoyance?) to the gospel's advancement.
To be sure, one who has been ordained is first and foremost a minister of the gospel. To tell people that Christ has come in the flesh to become the atoning sacrifice for sin and was raised on the third day for our justification is his primary duty. And when a pastor steps into the pulpit those who hear him ought to be made to confess with the prophet, "How beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news."
It ought also to be admitted that political clamor has all too often replaced (or, at the very least, overshadowed) the gospel. Phil Johnson, in his sermon "The Foolishness of Preaching the Gospel," has pointed out well that Dr. James Dobson and his Focus on the Family radio program talk more frequently about political issues than the gospel.
To say that this is unfortunate would be an understatement. If we allow politics trump the gospel message, we have forfeited the fight and already lost the battle. We must always maintain that it is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation, and not political speeches. These will accomplish nothing by themselves.
If we want to reform a politically debauched society, we must remember that it will only happen when sinners' hearts are changed. While legislation certainly has its place, it alone will not turn a country of from its wickedness. This will only occur when the gospel comes forth with power.
Yet, while we affirm the necessity and priority of preaching the gospel of Christ, we must not forget that ministers are obligated to preach "the whole counsel of God." This means that our duty is to explain the whole of Scripture and show how it applies in every area of life. If we say that the political realm is off limits, then we neglect a large part of our people's life, not to mention a sizable portion of the Scripture's teaching!
As well, ordained men are charged with the duty of calling sinners unto repentance. This is part and parcel of the gospel work. That means we must address our civil leaders (and those who vote for them) so that they know what they must repent of and why they must embrace the gospel. If the law is not preached in its entirety, then we will be doing the gospel a great injustice. For the good news will never be good unless we first know our transgression.
A minister must also instruct the faithful members of Christ's body in the law of the Lord so that they may live lives that are pleasing to God. In other words, Christians must live out the gospel. For this reason the implications of the gospel need to be fleshed out. Without proper instruction in the ways of righteousness as it applies to the civil sphere, Christians will constantly be ignorant of their civil duties. This will then mean that the way they vote, or the way they serve in public office, will directly oppose the Lord's will.
In sum, a healthy pulpit ministry will maintain the sweet balance of law and gospel.
Understanding this will help us to see that addressing political issues is not a distraction to the gospel. Instead we will come to see that it is a compliment to the work of the gospel. We might even go so far as to say that the very opposite is true with regard to this objection: the real distraction to the gospel is preaching that does not touch on political issues!
The law leads to and flows from the gospel. As a result, the law must be preached with vigor and its applications to the political realm must be brought to light so that people might come under conviction. When this happens, we then have opportunity to declare the gospel, knowing that it alone gives liberty to the captives. Afterwards we trust that those who have been liberated will abide in the freedom that God's law ensures.
But what about people being turned off by your speaking on such topics? I can readily hear someone say, "Sure, it might be necessary, but is it helpful? A soul might end up going to hell because I spoke about government run health care, social security, publicly funded education, or welfare rather than the gospel."
Undoubtedly, some people will shut their ears when a preacher mentions a political issue in the pulpit. However, this happens on all sorts of issues, political or not.
Let's admit it, God's ways are offensive. A feminist will be likely to tune out a minister who speaks about biblical femininity. A hard hearted son will probably start counting tiles in the ceiling when a pastor talks about honoring parents. Someone will inevitably gripe when the preacher talks about stewardship. Does that mean he should avoid these issues for the sake of the gospel? Should we consider these topics distractions to the gospel? Of course not. A minister has a duty to explicate the truth of Scripture so that he might bring the gospel to bear on the lives of these people.
The truth is this: no minister can be held accountable for a sinner's refusal to listen to God's word. He is obligated to speak as the ambassador of Christ on whatever issue that needs to be confronted and whatever issue the Scripture addresses. Nothing should deter him from doing so. The only thing that we can do is pray that the Spirit of God will break through their hardness of heart and cause them to be receptive to the voice of Christ.
All this means we must run the risk of preaching politically charged sermons when it is called for. God has charged us with the solemn duty of preaching the word. We are to be the voice of Christ, vigorously declaring both his law and gospel, so that souls may come to rest in Christ and live for Him.
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