1. The Gospel is not championed by those seeking wealth, power, and fame, but by humble, loving, and kind servants.
How much money has your favorite Culture Warrior made from 'defending Christianity'? There are many such personalities who would not be well known, would not wield influence with politicians, if not for their perpetual state of political war against 'them'. Where in the New Testament is this model of letting spokespeople for the Church choose themselves practiced? Where do we read of the Apostle Paul's use of sarcastic lies to 'own the Romans'? Mansions, fancy cars, expensive clothes, private jets, none of these are compatible with servants of the Gospel, they condemn the purveyors of the Prosperity Gospel whose conspicuous consumerism sits in judgment of them, and they condemn the self-appointed champions of American Christianity as well. If any of these were truly servants of the Lord God, they would live like God's servants, not like aristocrats. To look to such as these for guidance regarding what Christians should think, how they should feel, or even how they should vote, is to elevate political views above biblical mandates. For tens of millions of Americans, it is not the preacher on Sunday morning expounding the Word of God and living a life of service in front of his/her congregation that molds and shapes their worldview, but the political pundits they spend far more time listening to, cheering on, and living vicariously through.
Matthew 7:15-20 New International Version
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
2. Even if (they are not) fellow Americans who happen to be Liberals were EVIL these tactics would still be in direct violation of the Word of God, they would still corrupt God's people who use them, and they would still hinder Gospel witness.
I have often heard/read argumentation to the affect that America is on the verge of a precipice, that we are but one step away from a being taken over by godless socialists. This 'sky is falling' mentality is then used to justify an 'any means necessary' response that sanctions character assassination, lying, anger, illegal behavior, even violence. Why? Because the stakes are too high to trust in the Gospel path of overcoming evil with good. I do not accept the premise that America's Liberals hate this country and want to destroy it, anymore than I accept the premise about America's Conservatives {making exceptions on both sides for the radicals and pundits, but even then most of them just want to get rich, not destroy the country which would hinder their wealth making ability}. But, EVEN IF our nation were on the verge of destruction, the path of deliverance would not be, could not be, for the people of God to abandon Christian morality. This is not the calling that any faithful follower of Jesus Christ has ever received. There have been many such instances when those claiming to do God's work have done great evil, from the Crusades to the Inquisition, with many a raped, tortured, and murdered person in between. All of these, every last one of these actions, were an insult to God, an abandonment of the work of the Spirit in our world in favor of the sinful deeds of men.
The Kingdom of God is advanced by the use of the Fruit of the Spirit, period. That tens of millions of American Christians (self-professed, I don't know how many have a true conversion) have become convinced that God's will must be achieved through immoral means is a glaring sign of the sickness of the Church in our nation today.
Romans 12:21 New International Version
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
James 1:13 New International Version
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
Philippians 4:8 New International Version
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Matthew 5:43-44 New International Version
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
3. More dedicated servants of Christ than these tried this method before, and it nearly destroyed them.
I don't consider myself a fan of Jerry Falwell, but I have no doubt of his passion for Christ and can look at his decades of service to the Church when I ponder what the pursuit of power did to him. Today's 'Christian defenders' are a paler version, with lesser credentials, and much less actual Gospel ministry. We are but repeating history with less chance of 'success' than the Moral Majority or the Christian Coalition were able to accomplish in the last two generations.
One glaring example of the corrupting influence of this path will show how deep the rot of following false teachers who happen to be rich, famous, and powerful has spread. In 2019, Paula White Cain, Prosperity Gospel 'preacher' well known for her heretical views published a book that was endorsed by numerous politically active Conservative Christian 'leaders'. Why? Because she is on 'our side' in the Culture Wars against 'them', no need to look any further. Jerry Falwell Sr. whatever you think of him, would not have done this, nor would Billy Graham have, despite his well known embrace of ecumenism, both men drew the line at unorthodox false gospels. The Culture War has grown more noxious, and its warriors less noble, this will not end well.
I don't want to 'Own the Libs', I want to work with those liberals who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ, just as I will with those conservatives who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ so that we might advance the Kingdom of God through acts of loving kindness. As for those liberals and conservatives who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord, my prayer is that you may come to "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:18). May God show them his love through us.
The Myth of a Christian Nation - by Gregory Boyd: a summary and response
Turning Point USA ignores the warning of Matthew 6:24
The downward spiral of Bonhoeffer biographer Eric Metaxas
An unhealthy overemphasis on politics
God and Politics: Greater than, less than, or equal to?
My thirty year journey away from Rush Limbaugh
Plus this six hour seminar I created on the relationship between the Church and Politics (Power)
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