Jamin Bradley

Myth: Churches/pastors/Christians are not supposed to be political.

Double Standard: This statement is only made when churches/pastors/Christians are challenging classic Christian politics.

Truth: In the ancient world, religion and politics were the same thing. Therefore, kings surrounded themselves with supernaturalists who knew how to discern the spiritual realm. Their help was important because it’s difficult to do what the gods want if you don’t know what they’re asking for. Among these supernaturalists were the Chaldeans, astrologers, dream interpreters, diviners, magicians, and wise men.

Israel had their own supernaturalists known as the prophets, whose job was to seek out the voice of Yahweh, the one true God. They were some of the only people in the Old Testament to be given the gift of the Holy Spirit to make such discernments. While we celebrate them today, they were hated in their own time by politicians and religious folk because, as it ended up, God had a lot of intense critique to give Israel through their mouths. The prophets suffered great rejection, great emotional despair, and were often persecuted or killed for saying contrary things to what everyone wanted to hear politically. (Jesus was the prophet of prophets and suffered the same dynamic.)

Most kings hated the prophets, so they surrounded themselves with their own brand of un-supernaturalists. They were essentially “yes men,” or what we call, “the false prophets.” If the king wanted something, they’d stamp God’s name on his desires and tell him to pursue it. No false prophet would ever have the gumption to tell a king he’s wrong like a real prophet would.

Prophets speak truth to power, especially when power is being wielded against people at the bottom of society. Much of the reason God desires government is to ensure that the wicked are prosecuted while the oppressed find justice and their rights are upheld (Psalm 82). When kings and kingdoms don’t do this, the prophets begin to speak. And if we don’t listen to them, we are often turned over to great judgment.

And so the church, being anointed with the Holy Spirit, rises up to continue the justice work of old and prophesy on behalf of the powerless.