The media firestorm that has resulted in the outlandish statements of Jeremiah Wright has brought the mingling of religion and politics to the forefront. And, as foolish as Mr. Wright's statements have been, they are but the latest example of a prominent religious leader "throwing his hat into the ring" of politics.
To be fair, Wright is not the first. He is simply the latest in a growing line of so-called spiritual leaders that deem it appropriate to preach any number of political messages from the pulpit. Pat Robertson of The 700 Club has kept one foot in the political world for many years, even running a brief campaign for President a time or two. Robertson often weighs in on various political candidates and the policies of various politicians.
Billy Graham has been known as a "preacher to the Presidents," gaining much of his fame and influence from his close associations with several Commanders In Chief. Graham befuddled multitudes when -- in the wake of President Bill Clinton's scandal involving Monica Lewinsky -- Graham excused his actions by saying in an NBC Today Show interview, "He has such a tremendous personality that I think the ladies just go wild over him."
It is certain that faith and politics overlap in some ways. However, when preachers use a pulpit to push political agendas, to campaign for a candidate (no matter who it is), and to draw fame and attention to themselves or an organization, the recipients are poorer for having heard such. If a man claims to be a servant of God -- speaking the message of the Almighty -- he has an obligation to do just that. When politics replace preaching, grandstanding supplants gospel, and Washington displaces the word, God is most certainly not honored.
Inspired by the Spirit of God, Paul said it to Timothy in this way:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5, ESV
We have enough political pundits as it is. If anyone claims to be speaking the word of God, he ought to do exactly that.
Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
1 Peter 4:11, ESV
Peddling one's political views and agendas wrapped in a "gospel package" is deplorable, to put it kindly.
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