Preachers and Their Princes

I've been frequently told that I venture too far into political issues in my sermons.  Not that I speak only on such subjects.  Neither have I ever preached a sermon specifically dedicated to a given issue (i.e. health care, global warming, etc.).  I merely speak to it when a passage speaks to it.  It is, in my opinion, merely result of the sweet balance of preaching law and gospel.

To be sure, I have never endorsed a candidate from the pulpit.  I don't find such a thing a thing profitable, let alone Biblical.  (And even if I thought that it was a legitamite thing to do, there's never been a candidate in my tenure as a pastor who was worthy of such a commendation.)

Despite this, some have objected to my doing so.  The church is just not the place to address such things, so they say.  Or, they say, it is an abuse of our tax exempt status.

For this reason I am beginning to research the issue deeper in order to write an article on the pulpit and politics for publication.  Of course, my conviction is that the minister should speak upon every issue that Scripture addresses.  So, the article is going to be promoting the minister's duty to apply God's word to political issues as they are addressed in Scripture.  It is my view that this needs more attentoin in our day.  Unfortunately too many pastors remain silent when they should speak out and too many congregants are ignorant of why it is necessary.

One of the things I intend to address is the issue of tax exempt status/501c3's.  I've been skeptical of it ever since a fellow said to me, "Your church is not a church unless you are a declared 501c3."  (Um.  I thought we were a church because we are believers who have agreed to meet together for the worship of the Triune God.)  But just so you know, I've been somewhat swayed already.  While my research certainly isn't done, these articles are quite persuasive.

I also hope to address some of these issues too:  The kingship of Christ, the extent of God's Word (i.e. law), the nature of freedom, politics as "a distraction" from preaching the gospel and the right way to address political issues in sermons.