Recently Cal Thomas had a thought provoking article entitled, “Pulpit Rebellion Misses Mark” (The Oklahoman, September 30, 2008, 10A). This related to a reaction by some to the “government’s restriction on political pronouncements from the pulpit.” Alan E. Sears, President of the Alliance Defense Fund, had promoted a plan for September 28th as Pulpit Freedom Sunday, urging preachers and pastors to “reclaim their constitutional right (and) from the pulpit, they will advise their congregation what scripture says about today’s issues, apply (ing) those issues to the candidates standing for election just like their forefathers did 150 years ago.”
Thomas pointed out that this related to a 1954 amendment given by then Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson that restricted “non profit organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.” If a church now enters the political arena, it could lose its exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Thomas further pointed out that “the early colonial sermons were filled with righteous indignation…” and “people were free to make up their own mind as to whether their pastor was speaking for God.” However, Thomas warned about turning the pulpit into a place where politics and politicians being discussed would minimize the message of redemption, adding that “the road to redemption does not run through Washington, D.C.”

As to Johnson’s 1954 amendment, Thomas observed that “a strong constitutional challenge would most likely overturn it,” but that as it now stands it might avoid the temptation to turn national pulpits into electioneering stages where a “superior and life changing message” should be delivered.

Thomas is to be commended for the balance he presented in what he wrote, which should help brethren in Christ to reach some three conclusions:

1. As members of the Kingdom of the Lord, we should rejoice in its eternal nature and be loyal in our service and speech for its precepts and principles (Heb. 12:28f; 13:20f). Such a stance will always make the Lord’s people good citizens in any earthly government (Rom. 13: 1-10).
2. Never allow earthly political patterns and candidates to so captivate our conduct and behavior that we lose sight of our citizenship, which is in heaven (Phil. 3:20f)
3. In this age when morality is being so challenged (as to abortion, homosexuality, marriage, biblical expressions and truths being under attack, freedom eroding as to connecting God to social, civil, and educational institutions, judicial and legislative abuses relative to truth and righteousness), let us lovingly, both privately and publicly, honor our Maker and His Son as the only firm foundation for stabilizing and securing this land of the free (Acts 4:12, 19f; 1 Peter2:11-17; Eph. 6:10-19)!