7tips for talking politics

by Bob Russell

How can we most effectively share God's truth with a culture that is rapidly becoming more secular and more hostile to people of faith?

how can we stand firm for biblical absolutes and not alienate the very people we're trying to win?

1Be balanced—avoid the extremes. In speaking the truth about controversial issues, we would do well to avoid the extremes. On the one extreme are spineless appeasers who bend over backward to be politically correct—they appear cowardly. On the other extreme are strident crusaders who continually rant against the culture—they appear hateful. Jesus instructed us to be light to the world, but not a lightning rod. Paul encouraged us to fight the good fight of faith and yet to live at peace with everyone, if possible. So avoid the extremes of wimpish cowardice and hawkish militancy. Make every effort to maintain the powerful balance of preaching the truth in love.

2Be biblical. The most effective way to stay balanced when dealing with social and political issues is through expository preaching. If we ministers preach verse by verse through a book of the Bible, when we come to passages that deal with sexual immorality or concern for foreigners, no one can legitimately accuse us of representing a political party. We are simply preaching the whole will of God. If we preach through a book of the Bible, we are also more likely to stay balanced and avoid disproportionate emphasis on our pet peeve.

Be pleasant. Preach the truth in love. Don’t attack the world with an angry tone, a clenched fist, or a fierce scowl. Let people know by your thoughtful words and gentle spirit that they are loved and that spiritual rebellion breaks God’s heart . . . and yours. It’s amazing how strong a stand you can take if you do it with a joyful countenance.

Be courageous. In order to avoid criticism, ministers may be tempted to buffer God’s Word with so many qualifiers that the truth is barely recognizable.

Not long ago I heard a sermon titled, “Is Homosexuality a Sin?” The sermon, one in a series on hot-button issues, had so many safeguards that the primary message that came through was, “The Bible says homosexuality is sinful. But we’re all sinners and no one sin is worse than another. And since we all need God’s grace, don’t be guilty of the greater sin, which is to be judgmental of others.” The preacher may have felt he had taken a biblical stand, but in reality there was no call to repentance and the congregation left somewhat bewildered because he essentially said what itching ears wanted to hear.

Contrast that with Franklin Graham’s statement about gay marriage:

True followers of Jesus Christ cannot endorse same-sex marriage, regardless of what our President, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the media or the latest Gallup poll says about the matter. . . . This moral issue has been settled by God Himself and is not subject to man-made revisions or modifications. In the end, I would rather be on the wrong side of public opinion than be on the wrong side of Almighty God who established the standard of living for the world He created (from “The Flood of Compromise,” Decision magazine, May 2014).

That kind of stand takes courage. Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is action in spite of fear. Just before going into battle against the Canaanites, God commanded Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Be decisive. A few years ago most evangelical churches did a good job of taking a strong stand on abortion. Ministers informed their congregations early and often, “We are a pro-life church. Abortion is taking a life that God is knitting together in the womb. If you have had an abortion, we urge you to repent and receive God’s amazing grace. But we are unashamedly pro-life.” There was little ambiguity. Visitors soon knew the church’s position. That clear, decisive stand and advances in technology have been used by God to turn the national opinion in favor of life. Few predicted that happening 40 years ago, but most churches stood for biblical truth and God honored that stand.

We would do well to follow that same consistent pattern in other controversial issues. Communicate early and confidently your church stances on divorce, cohabitation, gay marriage, gender identity, treatment of illegal aliens, women’s roles in the church, and so forth. Most people appreciate clarity and courage even though they may not totally agree. The failure to be decisive and take a clear biblical stand creates uncertainty and eventually division in the church.

Be relevant. Occasionally, current events beg for comment from spiritual leaders, but the scheduled passage of study does not lend itself to commentary. It may be a race riot prompted by a questionable police shooting or a Supreme Court decision on a moral issue that has everyone buzzing. Wise leaders should be perceptive and flexible enough to occasionally back away from a planned series of lessons and relate biblical truth to current events.

Fred Craddock said, “The preacher needs to understand he doesn’t just speak to the church, he often speaks for the church.” The minister should express openly, “This is what this church believes. This is where we Christians stand on this issue.” If people come to worship after their biblically based views are challenged by the world and those views are not reinforced, they go home frustrated, discouraged, and invalidated.

Be discerning. Know when it’s time to fight and when it’s time to be still. Some one-issue Christians pressure the preacher to lead the charge for all kinds of perceived spiritual battles. Proper health care for veterans, the appropriate display of the flag, standing at attention for the national anthem, the distribution of voter guides, the expansion of gambling, the display of the Ten Commandments at school . . . you name the cause and over-eager soldiers are urging you to take up their chosen banner.

At times Jesus intentionally avoided conflict. He healed people away from the crowd and told them not to tell anyone so the multitudes wouldn’t overreact. At other times Jesus deliberately threw down the gauntlet. The Pharisees were watching to see if he would heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The man’s disability wasn’t life-threatening, so Jesus could have waited until the next day. But instead, he said to the man, “Get up and stand in front of everyone. . . . [Now] stretch out your hand” (Luke 6:8, 10). Jesus discerned it best to confront the objections openly, fully aware that his actions would elicit intense opposition. Leadership requires divine wisdom to know when to march forth into battle and when to remain peacefully in the camp. The Bible promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

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