The tragedy of evangelicals putting their faith in political kings

[yallerdawg]

86% of Alabamians are Christian. Do the math. We need, at the very least, some of them!

Source: AL.com, by Cameron Smith

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The Jewish people wanted a warrior king to throw off the Roman oppression. Jesus taught love for enemies and intercessory prayer for those who persecuted his followers. Rather than taking up arms against the Romans, Jesus bore the shame of the cross willingly. Needless to say, he was a disappointment to those who prioritized political liberation over redemption for their souls.

I understand why the Israelites, contemporaries of Jesus, and today's evangelical voters are tempted by bold, aggressive politicians pledging to fight their battles. We're afraid of what tomorrow might hold. We see our culture and world changing right before our eyes. Finding a politician to fight for us is a much easier path than the radical, sacrificial love depicted in the gospel.

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What are we going to do to help the sick? The fatherless? The prisoner? Shouting about protecting our values is a poor substitute for our lives serving as the proof of our convictions.

Better political warriors won't fix this political mess we're in. It will simply make for more enemies. We must be vigilant in guarding against politicians who do violence to the very gospel we claim. If we do not, we risk reducing our voices to a loud chorus of banging gongs and clanging symbols.

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Read it all at: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/11/the_tragedy_of_evangelicals_pu.html

http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/alabama/

[bobbieinok]

1. Interesting read but bit vaguely generic