Christian way is not a defiant way

Lloyd Omdahl has this commentary on the Grand Forks Herald criticizing ADF’s Pulpit Initiative that concludes:

. . . Eventually, those who hold minority views will leave, and churches will be left serving congregations that become more and more homogenous in their political orientation. Politics will overshadow the Gospel — as it has with the Alliance Defense Fund — and political loyalty will become the litmus test for parishioners.

It is ironic that the Christians who believe that God controls the rise and fall of governments are also the ones most intent on influencing the outcome of elections. This suggests that they either don’t really believe that God is in control, or they think God can’t do the job if left to himself.

A few quick points to consider in reading Omhdal’s commentary.  First, the commentary begs the question of whether the IRS is acting within its proper authority through its current restrictions.  Secondly, the predicted dire consequences flowing from the Pulpit Initiative disregard the reality that existed in most of our nation’s history.  Fourthly, discussion of politics or any kind of controversial truth claim can cause division within a church. The responsibility for deciding where to draw lines rightly resides with church leadership on a case by case basis not with the IRS.  This is a central contion of ADF’s Pulpit Initiative.  Finally, God usually, but not always, works through human beings in carrying out his work in history including elections.