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Sure…everything is political…but do not fall into the
trap of reading Scripture through the political lens!
Yes, everything is political and seemingly increasingly so. While we once called for the church to “stay out of politics,” that seems like an impossibility. How can the church remain silent when truth is being thrown away? How can God’s people remain silent when life seemingly means nothing in so many political positions?
What the church must do in this political climate is be ever so careful not to embrace political solutions to the issues of the lives of people. While we must hope for good government, we must steadfastly hold to the hope that is only found in Jesus. I have read so many Facebook posts that embrace political positions in party platforms and endorse them as Godly. This may be true, but the name “by which we must be saved” is neither Democrat nor Republican. (Acts 4:12)
The body of Christ needs to be vigilant also in refusing to find politics in every passage of Scripture (thus reading Scripture through a political lens). Let’s look, for example at Luke 22:36-37. I was recently involved in a discussion where two parties each used these verses as proof that God endorses and condemns gun ownership. One believed Jesus’ words, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one,” as conclusive proof that God believes in self-defense weapons. The other said that having a sword was the only way Jesus would have been “counted among the rebels.” His point was that since a weapon made one a rebel and law breaker, God opposes gun ownership.
I do not believe either interpretation is correct! Jesus told the disciples to take money, a travel bag, and a sword along (all the things he told them not to take earlier). If the “things carried” marked them among the rebels that would have included money and a travel bag…not simply a sword. Jesus was preparing the disciples for a mission into a hostile world. Could Jesus have been telling them to have a sword handy for self defense after his ascension? Yes, but that does not seem normative from the passage in my opinion.
There are political implications throughout the gospel accounts. The Apostle Paul instructed believers to honor governments, live in obedience to the laws, and pray for those burdened with leadership responsibilities. Let’s be careful not to read Scripture in hopes of finding endorsements for our political leanings. Let’s make sure that our goals are to preach Christ and him crucified, inviting all those far from Him to know His love. If we focus on making disciples who then make disciples, our focus will be spot on! You think about that!
Praying for more to be His,
Reggie Hundley
Executive Director
Mission Services Association, Inc.
the missions network
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