“Excuse me Egon, you said crossing the streams was bad!”

Don’t Cross the Streams!

“Excuse me Egon, you said crossing the streams was bad!”

This classic line from the 1984 film “Ghostbusters” is the perfect illustration of a known and accepted practice that if flipped (depending on your politics) will be either good or bad.

The streams that are not traditionally crossed for the purpose of this rant are pulpits and politics.

Not 100%, but for the most part pulpits were largely quiet on political topics – not so much today – like a slow 100-year leak in an earthen dam, the flood of political pulpits is now raging unchecked.

For many years church leaders preached mainly on Biblical principles – from time to time they would reference a modern-day application of the principle being taught – illustrating God’s intent for us in real life (so to speak) – sometimes, (delicately) politics would surface in a sermon, but the emphasis was largely the Biblical principle.

Today, church leaders are all over local/cable news channels, talking head’s talk shows, social media, political rallies, shamelessly supporting candidates as vigorously as they attack relevant opponents – this crossing of pulpit and political streams will surly weaken the legitimacy, trust, and assurance of the pulpit – any actions taken by the pulpit that distracts from its genuine Spiritual task and purpose will erode it’s foundation of Biblical principles – politics are already a tainted, untrusted, and compromised vessel claiming the will of all the people – bedding with such a stained mistress will definitely do lasting harm to the pulpit and it’s ministries.

The cause of Christ – Biblical principles – the Ten Commandments – the Great Commission always require greater weight than any political position or platform, especially from the pulpit – today, prominent pastors, church, and seminary leaders are visibly lined up (by the thousands) to lock arms with politicians sour with the stench of Christian Nationalism.

It’s an easy google search to expose the thousands of examples of “crossed pulpit and political streams” – as someone who has worked on church committees for many years, I’ve got to wonder what the committee meetings are like at First Baptist Church of Dallas (for example) – do they ever raise a concern that their pastor has shunned everyone who will not vote like he does – do they worry that their church has become so identified with a political agenda that it might be eroding basic Biblical principles – do they question, if their services resemble political rallies more than worship are they jeopardizing their tax-exempt status – do they question the pastor’s obvious misuse and abuse of  Scripture – the tragedy of this example, is that it is not exaggerated or embellished – I almost wish it was to buffer greater cause of Christ – but it is not exaggerated or embellished, these leaders are unashamedly, visibly embracing political platforms despite the conflict with basic Christian doctrine.  

Sadly, this “crossing the streams” illustration gets worse – just like politics, money talks – the slippery slope of pulpit politics is financially rewarding for those who play the game – money and members come running to pulpits, institutions and leaders who promote the exciting, flamboyant, and entertaining message of politics – they take the money, members, and fame without care that their compromised image is screaming falsehoods to the lost world around them.

Sorry, there’s more – pulpits laced with political agendas are telling a false story that there’s only one true way to be a faithful Christian, and that story is being aligned with political agendas – this is crushing when authentic Christ centered Believers tells a different story (without political agendas) about what it truly means to follow Jesus –  the true Believer gets shunned, labeled, and scorned by members of their own church community – not to mention the real harm it does to the lost because of the false (political) message – it’s a lie – call it what it is – a false (political) message equals, concealing salvation from the lost – think about that.  

Our nation is extremely divided by political issues – now more than ever, churches need to reclaim messages that are Biblically sound — whether it appears political or not – politics cannot define what is Biblically sound – Biblical principles rise above political divide – politics require dialogue, governance, and compromise for a greater good – Biblical principles, outreach, and discipleship require reaching across political divides for greater and more effective ministries.

Consider how our politics measure up against these Biblical principles:

God created all people – God does not discriminate and (simply stated) neither should we.

God loves all people – sinners – foreigners – conservatives – liberals – all races – each gender – regardless of marital status – education – wealth – political platform – God does not love any of us more than the other.

God sees all life as sacred – a constant equitable moral application of this principle is not without conflict or discussion – a pro-life position is critical – but, if that position ignores deaths as a result of being poor, unhoused, illegal injustice, nationless, without basic requirements for life (clean water, food, etc), unjustly imprisoned, deprived healthcare, etc., etc. is not a constant equitable moral application of the principle, or vice versa (for that matter).

God hates injustice – Biblical principles are very clear about uneven scales, deceitful business practices, discrimination, haughtiness, caring for others, and love of self – injustice is rampant in our businesses, legal processes, election districts, application of the law, access to resources, care and education.

God teaches us to care for the poor, underprivileged, immigrants, refugees, widows, and orphans – Jesus never sided with the rich or well to do – God lifted the lowly and brought down the mighty.

God breaks down barriers – the movement of God across all time, and in our lives is the Spiritual force that tears down barriers and changes lives…. including political barriers.

Sadly, many of us choose political views and let those views shape our “religious practices” despite our actual beliefs – this may explain why our politics are so out of line with our beliefs – time, and our corrosive political divide have made many pulpits and politics into a single “stream” that does not reflect Christ or His teachings.

There are well defined processes to keep the pulpit and political streams separated:

POLITICAL STREAMS = Vote on political issues – support political issues in the world around you – your vote is the long-term key to political gain.

PULPIT STREAMS = Minister with only sound Biblical principles – support ministries in the world around you – sound ministries don’t require politics to be effective.

Joshua says, “choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)