The New York Times has an article about an evangelical megachurch pastor in Minnesota that refuses to advocate any political position. After giving a six-sermon series and publishing a book on his views, one-fifth of the formerly 5,000-member church has left.
Pastor Gregory Boyd has some pretty good points. For example, I think his argument that the church's ultimate victory is not corpreal, but spiritual, is born out by history. “When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses," he says. "When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”
But on the complete abandonment of politics, I would have to disagree. Even if you don't agree with conservative politics, you can't abandon the field. Jesus and Paul did not get into political discussions, but you have to remember they did not live in democracies--we do, and it is incumbent on Christians in a democratic society to take part in the democratic process.
Conservative or liberal: take your pick, but don't sit on the sidelines, thinking you're too spiritual for politics.
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