Politics is an inescapable reality of everyday life in America and those who engage in negative rhetoric find ways to sink to new political lows every year. So the question arises, “Should pastors engage in politics from the pulpit?”

There are plenty of opinions and different degrees of application on this matter. Some choose to invoke the opinion of their political party, while others work a more subtle dig or two into the sermon. I personally think pastors should avoid partisan politics from the pulpit, but should never avoid the social issues behind the politics.

The Bible has clear directives on every social issue that is debated today. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)

I believe that all Christians have an obligation to set an example for proper social behavior and vote for politicians who take a stand for morality. It has been said that you can’t legislate morality, but I would say since all legislation is based on someone’s moral code of ethics, whose morality then is being legislated?

President Obama has said on many occasions that we have a moral obligation to provide affordable healthcare to the masses. Likewise, he believes there is a moral obligation to bring illegal aliens out of the shadows and into the economic system. While we often argue the merits of doing such things, the bigger question is from where does his moral authority come? What standard of morality does he want to legislate?

I have heard politicians say that they personally are pro-life but do not feel it would be right to impose their beliefs on the rest of the people. The alternative is to allow secular humanistic beliefs to be imposed on the rest of the people. Somebody’s morality is always being legislated. Everyone has a bias or worldview which they support in the elections. God calls Christians to promote the biblical worldview and He calls pastors to teach and preach the biblical worldview to His people. Christians should vote for and encourage others to vote for politicians who stand for biblical values and promote the moral standards of God’s Holy Word.

Perhaps if we look at it from God’s end goal, then we, as pastors, will see more clearly our own objectives from the pulpit. Concerning this matter Isaiah 2:2-4a says:

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people.

God will someday impose His moral standards on all the nations and all justice will be based upon His Word. Nathan confronted King David when he fell into adultery, and in the New Testament, we see that John the Baptist spoke out against Herod’s adultery as well.

It is my opinion that pastors have the same moral authority from the pulpit to speak against the sins of political leaders such as the Bill Clinton and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. We should not shy away from addressing moral failures from any politician regardless of which political party they represent.

We have a biblical mandate from Jesus to:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV).

I believe this certainly includes America. The Scriptures also tell us to give an account, or defense, of our faith and moral standards:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15-16, NKJV).

The context of this passage is actually about those who attack the Christian faith and moral standards and make threats against us.

Consider 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

While “politics” from the pulpit can get messy simply because there are no perfect candidates, where God stands on each of the political and social issues is made clear in the Scriptures and should be preached from the pulpits.

If God’s people are not taught what Scripture says concerning ethics and morality from the pulpits, then where will they hear it? If they don’t understand the social issues of our day, how can they possibly make a God-honoring choice on Election Day? In that sense, we cannot escape having a political impact from the pulpit. In fact, it should be our utmost desire that the politicians and lawmakers pass bills and laws that reflect the standard of morality clearly set forth in the Word of God.