Almost a decade in, and some of your voices are louder than ever. Where were you two decades ago, when you were quiet as world events gave us the demand for a true change agent?
Fantastic common sense article now if we could just get the Trump-Hating Evangelicals to read it. Never mind my guess is it's to much common sense for 5hem to understand as they appear to not have any.
Seth, all I can say is SPLENDID article, as usual. Amen and amen. The hypocrisy of the ‘church’ is so obvious to those with an ounce of discernment. Thank God for the remnant that is arising in this country.
Exactly. You might appreciate my new substack, Toward a Christian Worldview. I have not yet addressed how I approach the political life, but when I get to that point I will address being Christian in this world in much the same vein that you have.
Bravo!!! Exceptional piece, Seth! Much needed counsel for many that, sadly, will not hear. One commentator stated last election cycle that Mike Pence was so pro-life that he could not support Trump. Obviously not supporting Trump was supporting Harris. Such shortsightedness is tragic - and rampant. Keep up the fight, friend!
This is spot on Seth. It should serve as a wakeup call for the church. Thank you for speaking out! I also suggest the book by Megahan Bashum titled "Shepherds for Sale." You are both on the same page speaking truth to the evangelical church. Well done!👍
Thank you, Seth. As a chaser please read Mark Noll's book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. It was published in 1994!! I applaud your intellectual mind. You are proof that evangelicals CAN also have intellect!
Excellent post. You expressed so well exactly my views on the Trump-hating evangelicals. For years I followed Beth Moore and enjoyed her Bible studies. No more. If you haven't already, read Megan Basham's Shepherd's for Sale. Perhaps they need to be reminded that we are all sinners saved by grace. Keep up the great work!
"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty."
You have said "The church my family attended at the time, Bayou City Fellowship in Houston, had previously done a good job of sticking to teaching and staying out of politics,…" but I say to you why should the church ignore right and wrong done by public officials? When God in His holy Bible says "everyone to whom much was given, much will be required from him" (Luke 12:48) do you think a political office comes without responsibility to God? When God in His holy Bible says "preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching" (2 Tim 4:2) is there some exemption for those who hold political office?
It is a grave error to stay out of politics when one side is right and one side is wrong. It is a grave error to put government officials above reproach or even in charge of the message of the church. We are to judge rightly in humility and with love, removing the log from our own eyes before helping our brother by removing his speck, but that does not mean we should not try to help those with specks in their eyes.
I haven't said one thing about whether you like Trump or dislike him more than you care for your own sanity. But in calling out brothers and sisters for hating the truth about Trump, realize that silencing political discussions in church is just as bad or worse than choosing the wrong side of an issue – because it will cause many issues to not be discussed and many wounds to fester.
My point is that too many churches only open their mouths about politics when pressured by bad actors, or social justice warriors. And when they do, they usually trample on their own causes. They cry about the unborn but fail to see the president they hate as having been behind the most pro life actions ever undertaken. It is simple hypocrisy - they like to hear the guy with the smooth speech rather than actions.
Of course people should call balls and strikes fairly. But the thing is, they’re not calling them fairly.
Reply here is Pressured’and that is shocking how the Trump hating evangelicals I know are bent on being sure they publicly profess to be haters of Trump like a pledge they feel compelled to take in order, it seems, to be accepted by secular folks. Not sure why they want to be friends with them or fear being typecast as MAGA.
I trust your motivation, but the verbal shorthand you used aggravates misunderstandings.
I agree that many churches are full of people who fear man, not God. But head-on confrontation is unlikely to produce the results that we want. Instead of responding to provocation by bad actors with disagreement, we should build up faith in and fear of God. For example, if a pastor says the borders should be open, instead of agreeing or disagreeing immediately just ask how the Bible says we are to respond (this focuses us on obeying God, not others; it also lets them know you take them seriously and are acting out of love). If they say to ignore the Bible, I wouldn't have anything to do with them. If they point to something relevant in the Bible (e.g. how to treat sojourners among you), then you can disagree without it being a political divide (e.g., note that even sojourners are to be held to the laws of the country they are visiting). But many people (including me a lot of the time) are not patient enough to do this.
Just remember, these people are not sane because God is judging us *all* for *their* lack of faith: them for their rejection of Him and us for not working with love to build up their faith in Him.
This is a phenomenal piece of writing. So much to digest. My heart is with the unborn and your paragraph about it touched my heart. Of all the issues mentioned I can’t wrap my mind around an “evangelical” holding any position other than pro life. My church is not political, it is biblical, and when the Pastor preached on life during this past election season, we lost some people. All we can do is pray for them that their spiritual eyes be opened, and their minds renewed to God’s truth.
Decades ago I attempted to join a group doing a Beth Moore bible study. My spirit was so checked after two weeks, I stopped. I couldn't give a clear reason other than I dislike being told to "bring my tissues because I *will* cry." I give thanks for the leading of the Holy Spirit. If everything was easily black & white, we wouldn't need the Spirit.
David is one of my favorites and who I always thought of when trying to discern what was what when Trump threw his hat into the ring. I was so proud of the American people for electing him even after that audio - I had been so sure it was a kill shot due to this very subject you are bringing up. So thankful that enough Americans saw through to the core of the matter.
Really good Seth.
Makes Monday's "Today's News"
Fantastic common sense article now if we could just get the Trump-Hating Evangelicals to read it. Never mind my guess is it's to much common sense for 5hem to understand as they appear to not have any.
Thank you! The hypocrisy is alarming with many in this group.
Seth, all I can say is SPLENDID article, as usual. Amen and amen. The hypocrisy of the ‘church’ is so obvious to those with an ounce of discernment. Thank God for the remnant that is arising in this country.
Exactly. You might appreciate my new substack, Toward a Christian Worldview. I have not yet addressed how I approach the political life, but when I get to that point I will address being Christian in this world in much the same vein that you have.
https://substack.com/inbox/post/161186363
Thanks for sharing! I’ll check it out!
So perfectly said. 💯 🎯
Bravo!!! Exceptional piece, Seth! Much needed counsel for many that, sadly, will not hear. One commentator stated last election cycle that Mike Pence was so pro-life that he could not support Trump. Obviously not supporting Trump was supporting Harris. Such shortsightedness is tragic - and rampant. Keep up the fight, friend!
This is spot on Seth. It should serve as a wakeup call for the church. Thank you for speaking out! I also suggest the book by Megahan Bashum titled "Shepherds for Sale." You are both on the same page speaking truth to the evangelical church. Well done!👍
So very true to the last drop.
Thank you for this! Christ followers could change the world if they cared about something other than bashing Trump.
Thank you, Seth. As a chaser please read Mark Noll's book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. It was published in 1994!! I applaud your intellectual mind. You are proof that evangelicals CAN also have intellect!
Excellent post. You expressed so well exactly my views on the Trump-hating evangelicals. For years I followed Beth Moore and enjoyed her Bible studies. No more. If you haven't already, read Megan Basham's Shepherd's for Sale. Perhaps they need to be reminded that we are all sinners saved by grace. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! It always seemed off but the severe animosity toward Trump despite a platform with just and righteous outcomes made to obvious to me.
"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty."
You have said "The church my family attended at the time, Bayou City Fellowship in Houston, had previously done a good job of sticking to teaching and staying out of politics,…" but I say to you why should the church ignore right and wrong done by public officials? When God in His holy Bible says "everyone to whom much was given, much will be required from him" (Luke 12:48) do you think a political office comes without responsibility to God? When God in His holy Bible says "preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching" (2 Tim 4:2) is there some exemption for those who hold political office?
It is a grave error to stay out of politics when one side is right and one side is wrong. It is a grave error to put government officials above reproach or even in charge of the message of the church. We are to judge rightly in humility and with love, removing the log from our own eyes before helping our brother by removing his speck, but that does not mean we should not try to help those with specks in their eyes.
I haven't said one thing about whether you like Trump or dislike him more than you care for your own sanity. But in calling out brothers and sisters for hating the truth about Trump, realize that silencing political discussions in church is just as bad or worse than choosing the wrong side of an issue – because it will cause many issues to not be discussed and many wounds to fester.
My point is that too many churches only open their mouths about politics when pressured by bad actors, or social justice warriors. And when they do, they usually trample on their own causes. They cry about the unborn but fail to see the president they hate as having been behind the most pro life actions ever undertaken. It is simple hypocrisy - they like to hear the guy with the smooth speech rather than actions.
Of course people should call balls and strikes fairly. But the thing is, they’re not calling them fairly.
Keyword in Keshel’s
Reply here is Pressured’and that is shocking how the Trump hating evangelicals I know are bent on being sure they publicly profess to be haters of Trump like a pledge they feel compelled to take in order, it seems, to be accepted by secular folks. Not sure why they want to be friends with them or fear being typecast as MAGA.
Also, thanks for reading and replying! I enjoy your work, especially when you found it on faith.
Likewise, I appreciate your engagement. I do have some questions about your latest comment if you’d like to email me.
Done. The subject is your article's title if you need to check your spam folder.
I trust your motivation, but the verbal shorthand you used aggravates misunderstandings.
I agree that many churches are full of people who fear man, not God. But head-on confrontation is unlikely to produce the results that we want. Instead of responding to provocation by bad actors with disagreement, we should build up faith in and fear of God. For example, if a pastor says the borders should be open, instead of agreeing or disagreeing immediately just ask how the Bible says we are to respond (this focuses us on obeying God, not others; it also lets them know you take them seriously and are acting out of love). If they say to ignore the Bible, I wouldn't have anything to do with them. If they point to something relevant in the Bible (e.g. how to treat sojourners among you), then you can disagree without it being a political divide (e.g., note that even sojourners are to be held to the laws of the country they are visiting). But many people (including me a lot of the time) are not patient enough to do this.
Just remember, these people are not sane because God is judging us *all* for *their* lack of faith: them for their rejection of Him and us for not working with love to build up their faith in Him.
This is a phenomenal piece of writing. So much to digest. My heart is with the unborn and your paragraph about it touched my heart. Of all the issues mentioned I can’t wrap my mind around an “evangelical” holding any position other than pro life. My church is not political, it is biblical, and when the Pastor preached on life during this past election season, we lost some people. All we can do is pray for them that their spiritual eyes be opened, and their minds renewed to God’s truth.
Most excellent essay, CAPT K.
Thank you.
(I had no idea that so many evangelicals are so far off the mark.)
Decades ago I attempted to join a group doing a Beth Moore bible study. My spirit was so checked after two weeks, I stopped. I couldn't give a clear reason other than I dislike being told to "bring my tissues because I *will* cry." I give thanks for the leading of the Holy Spirit. If everything was easily black & white, we wouldn't need the Spirit.
David is one of my favorites and who I always thought of when trying to discern what was what when Trump threw his hat into the ring. I was so proud of the American people for electing him even after that audio - I had been so sure it was a kill shot due to this very subject you are bringing up. So thankful that enough Americans saw through to the core of the matter.