One word on the cover of NEWSMAX magazine describes America today as an Associated Press poll says “82% are pessimistic about politics.”

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Christians offer an array of solutions. The Top 10 List puts: The Pulpit. Voting. Revival. Gospel. Prayer. Church. Awakening. Scripture. Repentance. 2nd Coming.

We also hear 4 different approaches that muddy the waters and further fan flames of confusion in the conversation.

1. God’s Sovereign

“Stop worrying and simply trust Him. He reigns! He rules! He has everything under control and will bring about the outcome He wills. Vote if you want but avoid anxiety and just remind yourself regularly that HE REIGNS!!”

2. Judgment Day

“Wake up! These are the end times and we’re under judgment! God’s shaking things so why polish brass on a sinking ship? Get prepared. Turn off the news. Politicians are corrupt so get ready cause Jesus is returning soon to rescue us outta’ this mess!”

3. Christian Nationalism

“Watch out for those Christian Nationalists trying to set up America as a theocracy. They’re stirring up hysteria and rage saying we’re being invaded at our border, economy’s collapsing, it’s the apocalypse! Their leaders are toxic making grandiose promises to restore America but they don’t deliver. They’re extremists! If you disagree they’ll demonize you. They’re the reason we’re so divided.”

4. Evangelical Progressives

“Time to deconstruct/reconstruct! “Shepherds for Sale” book lies and vilifies compassionate Christians on the cutting edge. Andy Stanley has gay guys speak; Tim Keller’s church has David French and Evangelicals for Harris has Billy Graham’s granddaughter – both support Kamala; nothing is wrong with receiving big bucks from far-left groups; Jesus says “love your neighbor” and that’s what open borders, “gender care,” “reproductive freedom” and harvesting organs for redemptive purposes are all about. C’mon, get woke!”

Logical conclusion: Stay out of politics?

From 50 years in ministry, let me and some significant historical icons share scriptures, suggestions and hopefully sage advice to help us navigate the turbulent waters today.

Going Forward

Is it true that Jesus never got involved in politics only in preaching the gospel and building the Church?

He did say, “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn.18:36) to assure Pilate He was not fomenting rebellion to take over by force, but the reality remains that He was engaged in establishing an “upside down kingdom” (domain of the king) intended to impact the world not merely provide religious services. The early Church shook up society: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here” (Acts 17:6).

Jesus was not a passive sideliner but a disruptor.  He even upended tables and confronted money changers who stood in the way!

Jesus did pledge to “build my Church” but He wasn’t speaking primarily about buildings, bucks and bodies amidst short and sweet neatly packaged Sunday services. Church refers to “called out ones” directed to “make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I commanded” (Matt. 28:19–20).

Politics refers to “the activities associated with the governance of a people.” This includes electing leaders, defense, taxing, initiating programs (e.g. Social Security) paving roads, establishing schools, police and fire departments plus hospitals, speed limits, trash removal, safety measures (e.g. seatbelts) etc.

Politics encompasses, many areas of our lives, including growing threats to our well-being. Upon dying, we’re part of what theologians call the “Church Triumphant” but now we’re in the “Church Militant.” Our duty is to kick in the gates of hell not sit back passively or be in retreat.

Inspiring Icons

“Give me 100 men of God who hate nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and we will shake the gates of hell and see the kingdom of God in our generation!”   – John Wesley

John Wesley in the 1700s challenged passive “dead formal” Anglican churches in England. He called for passionate preaching, holy living and societal engagement. He addressed slavery, the slave trade, prison reform, free medical dispensaries, establishing schools and speaking out against gambling, drunkenness and other societal ills.

Contented and complacent pastors “canceled” him out of their churches yet he remained in the Anglican Church until he died.

One of his Methodist ministers, William Booth, did likewise in the 1800’s inspiring Christians to rise as the “army of God” bringing “salvation, soup and soap” to humanity being “salt” preventing decay. One of my oldest books comes from 1890 and is a blueprint for cultural engagement called “In Darkest England and the Way Out.” There are thousands of Salvation Army churches in 134 countries of the world today and they’re not just tinkling bells at Christmas but engaged to change the world!

John Newton who wrote the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace” was a pastor who charged parishioner, William Wilberforce in his political engagement to pray and persevere in ending the slave trade in England. He responded and eventually succeeded in abolishing it which later reverberated to removing slavery in America!

Wilberforce told us, “A private faith that does not act in the face of oppression is no faith at all.  Scripture teaches, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17)

When influential leaders discourage political involvement and/or deceive folks in anti-biblical ways (e.g. David French, N.Y. Times “pro-life” columnist covering evangelical issues, endorsed abortion activist Kamala Harris) they need to repent and recalibrate to follow the example of Wesley, Booth and Wilberforce who said, “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”

In the 1930s, Hitler’s National Socialist party gained power due to deception, complacency and pastoral cowardice. Germany went from democracy to dictatorship to demise in six years! Pastor, prophet and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned us, “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself.”

Preserving our Heritage

Remember America began its “great experiment” (with no real historical precedent) asserting our Creator made us all “equal” (equal opportunities, not equal outcomes as deceptive “equity” promotes). We have “unalienable rights” enabling us to enjoy freedom of speech and religion as a moral people governing ourselves. We mustn’t take this for granted but cherish it, protect it and recover it when insidious forces try to take it away. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” – President John Adams.

In the face of injustice and tyranny in America’s Revolutionary War, it was the pastors throughout the colonies who challenged the 50% of the colonists who sheepishly acquiesced as “loyalists” to tyrannical King George and his thugs. They courageously led the way affectionately called “The Black Robe Regiment.”

Likewise, in the Civil War era and afterwards it was Christian leaders and pastors championing the cause of eliminating the evil of slavery. Abraham Lincoln, pastors Charles Finney and Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad), Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionists, and others who refused to cowardly sit on the sidelines. Then Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. picked up the baton. Imagine if pastors and prophets had stayed out of politics in US history!

Here’s the Deal

Our nation is in serious peril because we’ve ignored the warning of Founding Father Ben Franklin, “Passions rule and they rarely rule wisely.” If pastors and people ignore or abdicate our role, we and our children and grandchildren “reap what we sow.”

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prv. 29:2). Hear the groaning?

The good news is that pastors across America are summoning their bravery and arising to fulfill their primary responsibility equipping people not with happy homilies but anointed messages addressing the hot button issues of our day. Jesus told us we were to be “salt”- informed influencers holding back decay.

16 top leaders have put together a resource of free, on demand, brief videos to educate us so we can confidently change hearts and minds on the issues of our day. Absolutely free! Go to larrytomczak.com, click Bullseye, scan the issues and let the leaders mentor you with no sign up or delay.

The hour has come for us to rise and reclaim our assignment as transformative agents in our society, sensitizing the conscience of our citizenry.

Pastor Martin Luther King, Jr. told us, “The church is not the master or the servant of the state but rather is the conscience… If it does not recapture its prophetic role, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority!”

Time for a turnaround as pastors lead the way!

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Larry Tomczak is a cultural commentator of 46 years, an IFA board member, a bestselling author, and a public-policy adviser with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Hear his weekly podcast here. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: blackrancho via Canva Pro.