THE PULPIT AND POLITICS
Jerry W. Carmichael

Every time an election year rolls around we begin to hear political messages from some of our pulpits. This writer has been asked many times why he does not promote certain candidates or political parties from the pulpit. The answer is very simple. It is against the law of the land and not always wise to do so.
In 1954 then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson pushed an amendment into law that barred tax-exempt groups, including churches, from specifically endorsing a particular candidate. The penalty for violating this law is the loss of one's tax-exempt status. If this were to occur, the church would have to pay income tax on every cent that was given in the contribution. This would bankrupt many small churches, including the one here at Grant County.
Another reason is, that one does not have to promote a particular candidate or party to teach Bible morals and values. In addition to that, for a preacher to side with one particular party would be divisive and destroy the unity of the congregation.
The tax-exempt status of a church is monitored by the IRS. Some preachers and church leaders are so strongly aligned with a specific candidate, that their tax exempt status as a religious body has been revoked by the IRS.
The church at Pierce Creek, New York had its tax-exempt status revoked after the preacher placed newspaper ads in 1992 calling attention to then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton's position on critical moral issues such as abortion and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.
Jerry Falwell's Old Time Gospel Hour was found to have engaged in unlawful campaign intervention by the IRS in 1993. The ministry's tax-exempt status was revoked for the years 1986-87 and they were required to pay $50,000.00 in back taxes.
In 1998 TV preacher Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting network lost its tax exemption retroactive for two years and was required to pay a significant sum in back taxes.
There is no doubt that preachers should uphold biblically mandated moral principles. This in and of itself will cause us to appear more sympathetic to the political positions of one party over the other. However, one has no authority from the Bible to use the pulpit for blatant, public support of any particular candidate or party. The pulpit is to be used to "Preach the word" (2Timothy 4:2) and for "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).
Jesus does not seem to have involved Himself in the politics of His day. He tells us to: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). He also taught "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). He did issue scathing rebukes about the corruption of religious leaders. But, He never directly condemned the Roman government under which He lived.
The Apostle Paul makes our obligations to the civil government very clear. In Romans 13:1-7 we are told to: be in subjection to the governing authorities and to render to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Paul also tells us to pray for the government. "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1Timothy 2:1-3).
The Bible teaches that God is still in control in this world. "...He removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:21).
"The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men" (Daniel 4:17).
"Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless" (Isaiah 40:15).
Christians are urged to live at peace with all men, regardless of their political affiliation. "If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18).
So back to our original premise, Should the pulpit be used to promote a particular political party or candidate? The example of Jesus, the writings of the Apostle Paul and the general authority of the scriptures seem to say "no."
It seems that the Christian thing to do is to use biblical principles to determine how you should vote. Do so carefully, thoughtfully and deliberately, realizing that the condoning of evil is closely akin to one committing the evil act himself (See Romans 1:32). Also keep in mind whether such decisions could help or hinder the spread of the gospel in your community, state or country.
Ultimately, though, "Our citizenship is in heaven," (Philippians 3:20). Therefore everything that we do, say, vote for or against, or support, must be done after careful consideration of this fact.
The following biblical principal seems to be particularly pertinent when it comes to politics and the Christian. "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15).