I personally feel like Christianity and its biblical truths, in many ways since 2016, has become so politicized that when a Pastor or Bible teacher brings up a group of people Jesus commands us to love and care for, often times many in the congregation automatically associate them with a political party’s motive–viewing what the Pastor or Bible teacher say through a far-right Republican or Democratic lens, rather than through a Gospel-centered lens, first. Some examples I have noticed:
Pastor: “Love Immigrants/Migrants.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-left Democrat.”
Pastor: “Love unborn babies.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-right Republican.”
Pastor: “Love women.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-left Democrat.”
Pastor: “Love minorities of color.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-left Democrat.”
Pastor: “Love the police.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-right Republican.”
Pastor: “Love Veterans.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-right Republican.”
Pastor: “Love the LGBTQ community.”
Congregation: “He’s a far-left Democrat.”
For many Christians to automatically associate what the Pastor or Bible teacher says about loving a group of people, to a political party’s motive, is essential sin and a heart issue. It’s a way of trying to justify a congregant’s right not to obey Jesus command of loving your neighbor if the group the Pastor or Bible teacher mentions a group that is somehow associated to a political party other than the party they put their allegiance in. This is idolatry, sin, and an identity issue in the heart of a congregant thinking this way.
Loving these groups of people is biblical (Luke 10:25-37), not political. They are commanded by Jesus Himself, even if He didn’t agree with these groups and how they live at times. Jesus is pro-life from the womb to the tomb for all of human life. He is theologically conservative and socially compassion, not Republican or Democratic. Remember, our allegiance as Christians aren’t to a red elephant or blue donkey, it’s to Jesus Christ.
Rondell Treviño, Founder/Director, TiC
