Typically when I teach I follow a theme, or a structured study. Like this “10 Life-charged Words” sequence we’re in now. I will deviate, however, when something is on my mind and seems to invite a deeper conversation.

That’s what is happening today. So let’s save “Holiness” for another week and, instead, go down the “Church and Politics” rabbit hole and see what mischief we can stir up together.

So I want you to either read, or re-read yesterday’s post – “Should Preaching be Political, or should it just point people to Jesus?“

Then, in terms of this being a teaching moment, I want to add a couple of questions for thought, consideration, and discussion:

1. Do you tend to start with Jesus, then form your politics and political positions in response to Jesus? Or do you start with your politics, then try to shoe-horn Jesus in to the positions you have already taken?
2. When you study The Bible, do you ask God to guide you, read solid commentaries and reference material, talk with trusted Christian friends, and then form ideas and opinions in response to the scriptures? Or, do you bring your social/political/cultural preferences along with you, then search for texts to support your thinking?
3. Does Jesus ever challenge your point of view? What do you do then?
4. Do you read the scriptures as a whole, always looking through the lens of Jesus and his position that “All the law and the prophets” are contained in The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40)?
5. Do your personal politics correspond to God’s? Do you do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

That’s all. I would love to be a fly on the wall and hear some of your discussions. – DEREK