Answering objections to the Church addressing “governance”

As a layman who has spent over 60 years observing the moral decline of our culture and increasing hostility of our government toward Christianity, I naturally wondered “why?”

One significant reason for this state of affairs is that the Church, over the most recent decades, has avoid discussing major and significant portions of the Bible.

The previous blog post titled “Do you dislike “politics” being discussed in church?” elicited a number of common concerns about the church teaching the portions of the Bible dealing with “government” and which most avoid because that word is associated with the “bastardized” word “politics.”

So I will break down the concerns  expressed about what I wrote and attempt to address them, one by one.

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First, "politics" as a subject in our society has become toxic.

I agree. It is a toxic word.

Reality is, the word itself has become so bastardized; polarized; emotionalized, that in the context of this discussion the definitions are irrelevant.

The word "politics" has not only become "bastardized" as you say, but also weaponized. The word "politics" is used as a weapon against discussing and learning virtually everything the Bible (God) has to say about governance. And it says a lot!

The same is being done with the weaponized words “racist”, “homophobe”, and “Islamophobe.”  The Church now suffers from “politiphobe": One who fears the discussion of anything related to politics or governance.  These words are invoked to silence and demonize discussion.   The Church has succumbed to the demonization of the word “politics” and now apparently the word “governance”, too. "Don't point out what the Bible says because it may offend someone - or someone may disagree" goes the thinking. And they certainly don't want to "offend" and lose attendees or revenue.

It's an impossible leap to overcome it.

I disagree.  It’s difficult, but not impossible.  People have become lazy and careless in their use of words.  They - our culture - purposely redefine words to meet their agenda.  If they don’t want a certain subject to be discussed, for example, such as the economy or immigration, or excessively invasive government, they will call it “politics” with a negative twist.  So we need to be more precise and honest in acknowledging what we don’t want to discuss.  Instead of using the broad brush of the word “politics”, let’s use the words “gossip” or “slander” or “mud slinging” or alleged lying.  These terms describe what many associate with “politics.”  Both our churches and public education system have let us down in this regard.

Secondly, trying to interpret the bible for the sake of governance is nebulous, for the bible is written with many interpretations.

The Bible is much less "nebulous" than the casual observer may assume. Just as in addressing any problem there are various ways to address it. Some ways should be avoided, some ways are iffy, some ways may work. And some ways are essential. These options are available for every mundane decision we make: How to raise a child, how to invest your money, what to have for lunch. That does not mean we avoid learning and discussing such things with other people who are impacted by that decision.

When it comes to running your life, your family, a community, city, county, state, or nation, there is the same assortment of approaches to address the best ways to govern.

Interpreting the Bible is the same.  There are wrong interpretations to be avoided.  Some are “maybe’s.”  Some are “likelies” and “pretty darn certains.” And some are “absolutes.”

The Bible has many more “pretty darn certains” and “absolutes” about governance than the exposure it has been given in the Churches of late. Sure there is a diversity of opinion of interpretation. But that does not mean there is no right way. And there are most certainly a number of wrong ways. That does not mean the topics should be ignored. That does not mean that those who are well versed in the Bible (pastors and teachers) without imposing their own agenda, should avoid teaching and promoting God's words about governance to their congregations.

Those interpretations can be as diverse as the "political" viewpoints of the interpreter. Case in point is the US/Mexico border situation. The bible says (in essence) welcome all refugees fleeing from whatever. So; no border wall. But the bible also asserts we should provide safe haven for our families. So…a wall against possible criminals? Welcome refugees selectively? Politics. Ugh!

Using your example of illegal immigration, two competing doctrines have been cited in the Bible: 1) Obey the laws of the land and 2) Be gracious to the sojourner. There are other principles in the Bible as well, such as the concepts of nations and national sovereignty, no work/no eat, personal responsibility, and many others.  These are rarely considered in the context of illegal immigration, but they should be..

Those with an "open borders" agenda will equate "sojourner" with "illegal immigrant." And they stop right there. End of argument. Let in all the sojourners because that is what the Bible says. False! In fact, there is no equivalency whatsoever between those terms "illegal immigrant" and "sojourner." Add in the social justice warriors’ failure to consider the other relevant Bible principles and their failed interpretation becomes even more blatant.

Back to point #1 above: Reality is, the introduction of the politics of governance in the church may not even be the business of the church.

Wrong.  Major themes of the Bible are all about “governance.”  From self-governance of the individual, to the governance between individuals, to communities and to nations.  These are major themes of the Bible throughout.  Therefore the form and means of governance are most certainly the business of the Church.

The founders of this nation and signers of the Constitution were comprised of pastors, devout Christians, and those otherwise heavily influenced by the Bible. The principles of governance contained in the Bible were a primary influence on the system of government we currently have. But that history is nowhere taught today: Not in civics classes in public schools; not even in our churches.

If God's word is taught and understood, the members of the congregation can form their own interpretations. All we can do is have faith (remember "faith?") all we can do is have faith that the outcome will be God's will.

After the preachers and Bible teachers are finished giving their very best interpretation of what the Bible says about governance, then each churchgoer can reach his own conclusion. But the churchgoers should not be left in the dark to come to their own, blind, conclusions. But as things now stand, most of us are making blind decisions in the dark - and reaping the consequences due, in part, to a silent Church.  “Faith” is not the same as “wishful thinking.” 

That's democracy. Informed decisions by the citizens. Preach God's word; leave the interpretation to the privacy of each individual.

"Preach God's word."  How about ALL OF IT.  What is “preaching?”  It is not merely reading the Bible. 

When a pastor preaches God's word, he is not just reading the Bible and leaving interpretation to the listener's imagination. He is interpreting it for the listener. He is providing the context, culture, related verses, framing examples, etc. So, the pastor should not only PREACH the ENTIRE Bible. He should also interpret and teach the ENTIRE Bible. This is not being done, but it should be.

The essence of this blog is pointing out that only a portion of God's word is being preached. Much of the Bible that applies to our nation and culture today is NOT being preached. Why? Because too many pastors and churchgoers have poisoned what the Bible says about governance by calling it "politics." So, when someone says "preach God's word", I suggest PREACH ALL OF IT.

Leave political interpretations and viewpoints out of it. Amen?

No “amen”.  Rather “God forbid!”  There it is again, the weaponized word “politics” that shuts down discussion of major parts of what the Bible has to teach us.