Since 2004 as a Pastor, I have been blessed to be the recipient of several critiques and criticisms centered on the topic of politics and the church. “Pastor, you’re being political!” to which I sweetly respond by saying, “No, I’m being Biblical!” I am convinced that a biblical worldview clearly speaks to every area of life, including political engagement. In fact, the Bible speaks about civil government often and provides examples of faithful engagement. The Old Testament teaches us that Joseph and Daniel served in civil government, exerting influence to further the flourishing of their nations. Paul also advocates this approach: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.” And: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” As my dear friend, mentor in ministry, and former General Superintendent Dr. Talmadge Johnson said often, “The world at its worst needs the church at its best.”
Dr. George Barna, Director of Research Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and Sr. Fellow at the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council observed in his American Worldview Inventory 2024, “The cultural awareness sparked by the COVID pandemic, and the 2024 presidential campaign has led millions of Americans to realize just how depraved American society has become. Corrupt politicians, dishonest journalists and media outlets, broken social institutions, immoral religious leaders, unconstitutional government programs and policies, and more, have generated non-stop headlines highlighting the decadence of American society and the demise of the United States… The indisputable cultural decline is a direct result of the spiritual collapse of Christianity in the nation… Most significantly, the research shows that much of this steep cultural decline flows from the dramatic transformation in the evangelical community of the United States in the past 30 years.”
Further Barna writes, “among those who typically attend an evangelical church, some of their beliefs are decidedly unbiblical: Half believe that people can earn eternal salvation through their good works. About half (45%) also contend that there is no absolute moral truth. Four of 10 are unable to identify a God-given purpose for their life,or believe that human beings are born into sin and need Jesus Christ to save them from the consequences. Unexpectedly large minorities of adults at evangelical churches reject the biblical nature and character of God (24%), worship spirits other than the God of the Bible (26%), and admit they are afraid to die (27%). A stunning number—15%—revealed that they occasionally cast spells on other people. Given these insights, it is not surprising to find that only one-eighth of the adults who regularly attend evangelical churches (13%) have a biblical worldview.”
My friend Pastor Gary Hammrick shared in a recent Election Sermon, In America… 90 million evangelicals eligible to vote, only 40 million do not vote and 15 million are not even registered. That’s 55 million who are saying, it’s bad but I don’t care!
FRC President Tony Perkins pointed out on a recent episode of “Washington Watch” it’s a mistake to “think an election is going to solve America’s problems.” But if this is the case, then why vote? Why be engaged in politics if politics aren’t going to solve our problems? According to Perkins, a necessary step in tackling these questions is to first understand what’s at the core of our troubles. “Our problems are spiritual,” he stated, and spiritual matters affect everything around us. This is why Christians need “to have a continual presence in influencing our government [and] our community … by standing firm on our faith.” Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California couldn’t agree more. And on the episode, he explained his reason for being involved in cultural and political matters. For pastor Hibbs, who will also be speaking at PVSS, it’s simple: Why engage? “Because I’m alive … I’m an American … I have grandchildren … I have a congregation,” and “most of all, because I’m a Christian.”
As George Washington wisely reminded Americans: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness—these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”
In 2014 while in Jerusalem, I was with a small delegation at Temple Mount where we met a group of Israeli leaders including Uzi Landau, Israel’s Minister of Tourism. After a brief meeting, while being introduced, he asked what I did. I explained I was a Pastor from Ohio. “Oh, a pastor,” he said. “We know that if the church in America is strong then America will be good. If America is good, then Israel will be blessed!” Think just for a second about that. A member of the Israeli cabinet understood just how important the church has been and still is in America. Like Pastor Jack Hibbs, I am an American, I am a Christian and I have grandkids. For those and many other reasons, I can and must vote!