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Abstract

Abstract

Historically, Americans have viewed church and state as incompatible, if not mutually exclusive, cultural arenas. Generally, throughout America’s history, pulpits and sanctuaries, church classrooms, and Christian small groups have rightly held their focus on Scripture. Yet, in small groups, and in other venues, Christians lament the ungodly behaviors of politicians, and their variously godless, pagan, and deplorable views.

As Ed Dobson, John MacArthur, and Cal Thomas faithfully emphasize, we are to go and preach the gospel (Mt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Also, prayer holds a supreme and supernatural power. Prayer circles rightly pray for politicians. Yet, in contrast with America’s founding Christians, the contemporary holistic Christian body, and the ecumenical church at large, have failed to be God’s voice by unanimously, publicly speaking out against politicians’ ungodly behaviors, and their unbiblical, immoral stances.

Unlike the more traditionally accepted ministry paths, the ecumenical church generally neglects discipling Christians into political ministry. The idea that, Christianity has no place or effect in politics is utterly false. The church acknowledges that, the Holy Spirit works through witness in all secular arenas of life, except politics. Thus, the church inhibits the Holy Spirit from having a political presence, and the church tacitly denies that His seed can supernaturally find fertile ground in the political arenas of culture as well (Mt 13:3-9).

Christians must witness in politics by their lifestyle, by expressing their biblical worldview in spoken and written witness, and by the mere essence of the Holy Spirit in them among politicians. Dr. Wayne Grudem identifies Romans 13:1-7, and 1 Peter 2:13-15 as specific passages that argue for significant Christian influence on governments. Richard Bauckham, D. A. Carson, James Dunn, Tom Minnery, Richard Neuhaus, and Ted Rivera, among other scholars, unanimously support a Christian political ministry.

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