As we move into the volatile political season, we are seeing more church leaders taking sides in this election. What is most disturbing is watching the conflation of evangelical Christianity with right wing politics.
Pastor John MacArthur wrote in his book: "Why Government Can't Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism":
“During the past twenty-five years, well-meaning Christians have founded a number of evangelical activist organizations and put millions of dollars into them in an ill-conceived effort to counteract the secular undermining of American culture. They have used these groups, along with existing Christian publishing houses and broadcast networks, to lobby hard for a “Christian” political viewpoint and fight back against the prevailing anti-Christian culture. Sadly, those believers have often displayed mean-spirited attitudes and utilized the same kinds of worldly tactics as their unbelieving opponents. The problem with this overall approach should be obvious—believers become antagonistic toward the very lost people God has called them to love and reach with the gospel.”
This type of thinking has resulted in some faith leaders making the claim that selecting a right wing candidate is proof of your faith in Christ. And so called "value voters" will only vote for a candidate if he or she professes support of certain policies or laws, even if that there is no evidence that support is genuine. That has made it easy for politicians to "game" Christians into supporting them even if their actions do not comport with the Christian standards of morality.
Even more troubling is the identification of political opponents as enemies. They are not the enemy. They are the mission field.
We must remember the teaching of Paul in Ephesians 6:12 (ESV):
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
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