When Evangelical Dark Web was operating under the name Startup Christ, we steered clear of any political post because we wanted to be theology and business. But since the relaunch in September, we have established a commitment to be “Theologically Sound. Culturally Relevant.” In our fight against the three heresies we find to be threatening the Evangelical church the most, upholding our commitment to being theologically sound and culturally relevant is inevitably going to lead to us addressing issues in the political sphere. For Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians:
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV
Spiritual warfare is real and the church is a part of it. Principalities and powers are, quite literally, political by nature. Therefore we are wrestling with politics. The church has to be willing to be political. However, we must never conflate being political with being partisan.
That is the danger which has severely undermined the church’s ability to combat the three heresies. Robert Jeffress and Franklin Graham recently came out in full support of a Paula White’s latest book that is just a rebranding of God only helps those who help themselves. [Update: Graham deleted his endorsement]. Why did they do this? Because she so happens to be Trump’s spiritual advisor. Franklin Graham has been well documented for humping Trump’s leg. As a result of being partisan, I fear that Franklin Graham has compromised his ability to share the Gospel with the President. Jeffrey Falwell Jr. went out of his way to endorse a Republican who officiated a gay wedding after he was censured at a local party level. His statement was a closet endorsement of gay marriage. We have seen the Prosperity Gospel be promoted by being partisan. And of course those who are partisan for the Democrats are the same ones pushing the Social Justice Gospel in the church. The Popularity Gospel avoids politics altogether, ignoring the spiritual war at hand.
Forcing a discussion to be based on the Republicans or individual politicians is an ineffective path at dealing with political affairs, for the church. The church should be political but as it relates to God’s Word. The church should be political on abortion. Abolishing abortion is a political means that solves a massive problem. For in scripture we gather that life does not begin at birth. Therefore we should reject the government’s current stance that the Supreme Court can regulate when life begins. Being pro-life is political but nonpartisan. It’s theologically sound and culturally relevant. It’s not the church’s fault that the Democrats are pro-abortion.
Scripture is Alpha
The politics that the church should articulate should come right from scripture, not from society. When does life begin? There’s scripture there. Policy that derives from Marxist Theory of Alienation shouldn’t be promoted by the church because it contradicts scripture. Policy on war falls under multiple theological views which we are free to disagree with, therefore the church should not speak dogmatically about such politics. Specific policy on immigration is not addressed in the Bible (ie lottery system, refugees, chain migration). Budgetary matters, prison reform, social security are all issues that the Bible doesn’t specifically address. So in these, there must be allowed disagreement. However, the church is to make disciples, and making disciples means teaching a biblical worldview. If the church teaches the biblical worldview, the more Christian politics, so to speak will follow.
So to summarize my thoughts on how Evangelical Dark Web will operate, being theologically sound and culturally relevant requires addressing politics. It does not require promoting the Republican Party. It doesn’t mean we need to hump Trump’s leg. On certain issues the scripture is exceedingly clear on. On others, the best way for the church to affect change is to teach a biblical worldview.
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