Serving Two Masters: the Southern Baptist Convention and V.P. Mike Pence

In case we needed another reminder of the danger of trying to serve two masters (in this case, God and power/politics), the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting once again reinforced the applicability of the warning of Jesus in Matthew 6:24 against split loyalties.  The delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting were presented with a speech from the current Vice-President of the United States, Mike Pence.  Had the speech focused exclusively upon Gospel-centered issues, it would still raise the question: Why was a politician given this opportunity, here at a gathering of the leaders of the church, above a minister of the church?  A powerful politician is not being asked to address a gathering of the church because of his/her theological expertise or relevant experience as a church leader, but because of his/her possession of political power.  In the case of the speech by Vice-President Pence, the primary topic was not Gospel-centered, nor even centered upon moral issues of relevance to the Church, but rather a touting of the political accomplishments of the administration to which he belongs.  It was, in essence, a campaign speech.  Choosing to allow a campaign speech at a gathering of the leaders of a church, who have been designated to conduct the business of the church, whether from a Republican or a Democrat, or any other party, raises a host of issues all of which are potentially damaging to the Church's given mission to make disciples and share the Gospel: (1) It identifies the Church with a particular political party, thus discouraging anyone who does not support that party from attending/visiting churches affiliated with the denomination (and frankly other churches too, those on the outside looking in don't typically grasp our denominational divisions). (2) It creates an atmosphere within the church/denomination where dissent/disagreement regarding political issues and how to solve them (which is normal and to be expected) is treated as a spiritual matter.  In other words, if two people disagree on immigration policy or tax policy, one is viewed as more spiritual than the other because that person agrees with the church/party/politician and the other does not.  The line between politics and theology becomes hopelessly blurred, to the detriment of theology. (3) It opens up the church to legitimate questions of hypocrisy when the inevitable moral failings of political leaders are ignored in the pursuit of an ongoing relationship to those in power, failings that would be absolutely disqualifying for any leader within the church. (4) It opens up church leaders to temptation regarding the pursuit of wealth, fame, and power, an unholy trio of temptations that the Church has fallen victim too far too often throughout its history. (5) It treats the teachings of the Word of God, and by extension the ministers of the Gospel, as secondary to those of politicians, thus elevating earthly power and its pursuit above spiritual power and discipleship.  Within the Church, the Word of God ought to be the ultimate authority, and those called and ordained as ministers ought to be the guardians of God's Word.  Of what value to the Church is the opinion, influenced by political realities, of a politician?  The Church's role is to share the Word of God with the world, not receive the word of man from those who wield earthly power.

Below are links to one news article, and one opinion piece regarding this topic.

ABC News: Pence Gives Campaign-Style Speech to Southern Baptists

The Gospel Coalition: Truth, Power, and Pence at the SBC

I've written extensively about the danger of mixing religion and politics, from the perspective of history and current events.  Over the past two generations, the Church in the United States has moved closer to power and wealth, not further away.  It has been more willing to make moral compromises, and less willing to confront the influence of affluence.  This trend is not universal, some Christians, churches, and denominations, have rejected it, but overall the trend is clear.  The Church has become less spiritual, more material, less interested in service, more interested in power.  This flirtation with power/wealth/fame is dangerous, it is foolish, and it has already harmed, and will continue to harm,  both the Church and its mission.

As I have stated previously, this is not a political statement or endorsement on my part, that would obviously defeat the purpose.  The same warning applies two both liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, to Baptist, Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, and all the rest; the siren's call of power is threatening to shipwreck us all; "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)