PASTORS

IN POLITICS

1. INTRO
Greetings from Independent Baptist Church of Siem Reap; we have launched a series of
studies entitled “According to the Scripture.” This is not to undermine Baptist churches all
over the world, but to remind us of what we should be and what we are doing now that is
uncharacteristic of our distinctive. We are not, in any way, launching an attack against a
particular group. We are only going to teach what the Bible is saying about topics that are of
importance in our generation.

In this issue, we are going to look at a very popular topic today, ‘Pastors In Politics’. Any
Christian in the Philippines knows that pastors do not aspire a position in politics. A few
years back, pastors were asked to conduct Bible studies for police officers and government
officials. Now, they are becoming one as well.

We have consulted pastors to give their take in this matter. They are unanimous in their
endeavor so we do not have to quote all of them here. We are going to add some quotes
from those who put it in a very clear manner. We thank them for spending time to give us
their piece.

What does the Scripture say about this? Does God want us to be in politics? Is that the
solution for a world that is so quick to get away from Biblical principles?

We pray that the reader will have an open mind and a humble heart to see the truths that
are written here and be submissive to the Word of God.

2. WHY ARE PASTORS GOING INTO POLITICS

First, let us look at some of the reasons as to why pastors are entering politics. As I
interview people and ask for their opinion on this matter, I see that their reasons are mostly
practical. Pragmatism is slowly becoming the God of most Baptists now. Whatever is
practical, whatever produces results must be right; never mind consulting the word of God.
How sad is it that we are trying to do God’s work, our way?

To start off this topic, let’s look at the points they make in supporting pastors in politics.
Maybe they do have a point. It’s not proper to just give you one side of the coin. Let’s look at
their side.
A. Practical reasons
i. “It’s better to vote for a pastor than for an unbeliever”

 People say that if we readily vote for unbelievers, how much more should we
vote for pastors running for government office? A lot of good can come from a
pastor sitting in a government office.

While that might sound like a good point, the pressing question is ‘are pastors
really called to do that?’ Yes, we are called to make a difference and to be a
beacon in this dying world, but did God include politics as a way to achieve this?
We will be discussing that later.

ii. “Everyone has the right to enter politics”

True, but it’s also true that in some laws, you have the right to abort a living
thing inside your womb. Does it make it okay to do it?

iii. “How else can we reach politicians with the Gospel?”

There are many people who have found ways to reach government officials with
the Gospel. One dear friend of ours, Pastor Angel Duenas has done this by
writing to officials about the Gospel. More people come to mind.

Throughout history, Baptists have stood for the truth and what is right by the
way they lived their lives and faithfully preach about it. They have, many times,
by God’s grace, swayed politics. John Bunyan, Isaac Backus, William Wilberfoce
and so many others are just some of the examples. In America, countless Baptist
pastors have been advisors of presidents. They are not involved in politics but
because of their theology, have been sought for their wisdom.

One pastor friend of ours made a very good point about pastors now taking
things in their own hands and making their own pragmatic ways to reach some
politicians with the Gospel

“…so all this is about pragmatism. And the moment we lose hope changing the
world and lives, we are ashamed of the Gospel. That’s why preachers keep
tampering and it is no longer about the power of God but about people and men
instead” - Anon

iv. “They can pass laws that are according to the Scripture”

While that might be true, how much of a danger are they putting themselves in?
Can you truly be involved in politics and not be stained by it?

Pro 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

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 Pro 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

This statement by pastor George Totica is very clear and precise.

“The environment in politics together with the wicked and worldly in which he
associates and interacts with is not Spitiually and Doctrinally conducive for their
association with them. Moreover, they need to maintain their separation stand:
for they have the tendency to approve their ulterior and wicked desire and plans
which run counter to Biblical principles and practices (IICor.6:14-18;7:1).

The saints of God are not allowed to be yoked unequally with the sinners, the
former should not have fellowship with the sinners and practice/partake what
their colleagues are practicing, the lights of the world are not supposed to
commune with darkness, the Christ who is in them is not in accord or agreement
with Belial (Satan), the saints do not have part with the infidels or unsaved,
God's temple (the Church), doesn't have agreement or can't co-exist with the
temple of idols. Paul in presenting his doctrine on Biblical Separation that
pastors/saved God's people vehemently and strongly concluded: WHEREFORE
COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM even in Politics (emphasis mine), AND BE YE
SEPARATE SAITH THE LORD"'... and touch not the unclean thing ( 'be it putting
or signing your signature in a plan that doesn't glorify the Lord. Signing it
indicates that they are an accomplice of wicked plans of their companions.”
- Ptr. George Totica

Another quote by a pastor friend who does not want to be named:

“Politics require compromising between groups to make things work. That’s not
something a Christian can afford to do” -Anon


v. There’s nothing wrong with a pastor being in politics as long as he can still take
care of the flock.

Later in this study, we are going to see the responsibilities a pastor has in his
pastoral office and see whether this is even possible or if it’s just wishful
thinking.

B. Verses they misuse
i. Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when
the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn

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People are using this verse to mean that when righteous people are in authority,
good things will come and that is correct! It is just common sense because
wicked people will abuse their authority and righteous people will use their
authority for the good of the people, but there are two observations I want to
make here.

First, the word righteous here speaks of a person who does right things. In the
Old Testament, it is often used to describe saved people. Yes, we can make a case
that people of God will not abuse authority but we can also say that there are
people of God who still abuse that because they are merely human beings. We
can also make a case that even unsaved people can be righteous with the
authority given to them. Even unsaved people does “works of righteousness”
Titus 3:5 says that. There are good presidents and bad presidents. There are
good and bad senators; saved or unsaved.

Second, the verse says ‘righteous’ not necessarily a pastor. We know the Old
Testament times. Israel is a nation and they are the people of God, yet there
were righteous and unrighteous kings. None of them were the spiritual leaders
of that time, those are called prophets and that is the equivalent of the pastor
today. The kings listen to the prophets regarding what God’s message is to them.
In the same way, so many pastors have been advisors to the government
officials today.

During those times, only God’s people are ruling God’s people. Saved or not, they
are still Israelites, God’s people.

Next is the word “authority.” This comes from the word Rabah in hebrew and
Strong defines it as “A primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):
abundance, be in authority, bring up, continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding, grow
up, increase, be long, yield much…” That word simply means that when a
righteous person is in the position to be of help or has great influence, people
rejoice simply because they will benefit from that.

ii. Daniel and Joseph served in the civil government

The simple answer to this is that they were not pastors. One more observation is
that they did not aspire to be there. They did not go on political campaigns nor
did they ask people to put them there. Because of their exemplary character, the
people themselves put them in authority. God also had a purpose for His people
to be preserved.

3. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PASTOR ACCORDING TO

THE SCRIPTURES?

Let’s take a look at what a pastor is actually called to do. Once listed,
let’s see if a person is actually capable of accomplishing this and hold
a public office at the same time.

A. To feed the flock of God and pray for them

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word.

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed: FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as
being lords over God’s heritage, BUT BEING ENSAMPLES of the flock. And when the
chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, TO FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD (this is by
studying God’s word, preaching and teaching) which he hath purchased with his own
blood.

We see here the importance of the church for the LORD. He has purchased the
church with His own blood and has given the responsibility to the pastor to feed and
pray for it. Feeding the church requires faithful study of God’s word so that
members will continually learn more about God. Let’s be honest, it takes more than
our lifetime to continually understand the word of God. Every time we read a verse,
new truths and gems we find.

B. To protect the church from false teachings

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not

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 by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being
lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples of the flock. And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 Timothy 4:1-6 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart form the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking
lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry,
and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with
thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is
good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified
by the word of God and prayer. IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF
THESE THINGS, THOU SHALT BE A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, NOURISHED
UP IN THE WORDS OF FAITH AND OF GOOD DOCTRINE, WHEREUNTO THOU HAST
ATTAINED.

Titus 1:9-13 HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD AS HE HATH BEEN TAUGHT,
THAT HE MAY BE ABLE BY SOUND DOCTRINE BOTH TO EXHORT AND TO CONVINCE
THE GAINSAYERS. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially
they of the circumstance: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake

Another God-given responsibility of the pastor is to protect the church from people
described in the verses above. The only way to do this is to be subject to the Holy
Spirit’s leading and to constantly study the word of God. For how else can we know
what is false if we do not study and master the truth. Needless to say, this has to
take almost all of a person’s time but this is just ONE of the responsibilities of a
pastor.

C. To oversee the ministries and activities of the church

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
THE HOLY GHOST HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS, to feed the church of which he hath
purchased with his own blood.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
among you, and are OVER YOU IN THE LORD, AND ADMONISH YOU”

1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, TAKING THE OVERSIGHT
THEREOF, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind

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 Again, needless to say, this has to take a chunk of a pastor’s time. Provided that the
pastor has set up deacons to oversee ministries, he still has to be able to know
everything that is happening.

D. To be a faithful steward of God’s flock

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God…

1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God

Do we realize the responsibility and accountability given to the pastor by God? The
pastor has to answer to God for the people that He entrusted to the pastor’s care.
That alone should make a pastor think twice about giving time to things other than
making sure that the responsibility is met properly.

E. To build up the people of God

The pastor is to be an encouragement to people in the church. His primary purpose
is to build up the members spiritually. A pastor never runs out of people to build up
as long as there are people in the church. Not to mention if a church experiences
consistent addition to its membership. This is the apostle Paul’s desire.

Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be
formed in you

The pastor is to constantly and prayerfully look to build up the members spiritually.
The goal is to produce members who will be able to teach others also. Produce
leaders who can, at any time, preach and teach doctrine. Failure to do so is a failure
as a pastor.

Seeing these God-given responsibilities to the pastor, the question begging to be
asked is “Can a pastor truly achieve all these?” Yes. With God’s help and with the
help of God’s people. The apostle Paul says this:

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Of course, Paul did not do it all by himself. The Lord had provision for him, and in
the verses before verse 13 we see that the Philippian believers themselves were a

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 big help to him. God’s grace and the contentment God gave in the heart of Paul were
also a big part of why Paul was able to say that he can do all things through Christ.

But the question, “Can a pastor do all these? Run a political campaign, legislate laws
and do the responsibilities a mayor, governor, congressman, senator or even a
president at the same time? The answer is a big NO.

4. HOW THE BIBLE DEALS WITH THIS CRISIS

Now, one main reason why people want a pastor to be in the
government is to be able to help the Christians have more liberty
and less hindrance in doing evangelistic work. They want more
ways to reach people with the gospel and that is a good motive.
Thankfully, that was also what the early New Testament church
wanted.

Think about it, if Paul and the early believers had more liberty in
preaching and reaching the lost with the gospel, there might have
been better results. If the Roman government was not out to kill
them, then they would’ve been able to establish more churches. If
the early believers were not brutally murdered, we might have
more believers today.

So why did they not simply try to be in the government? Why
didn’t they simply train a member to be part of the government?
Why did not Christ just accept the offer of the Jews to be their
king? Why did Paul not advice Timothy or Titus to try to influence
the government themselves?

Let’s take a look at what they did and what the Scriptures’
instruction is in dealing with this rapidly deteriorating morality of
our time.

A. Christ knew that the methods of this world is not the way

In John chapter 6, Jesus did the famous miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
Imagine more than 5000 hungry people fed by the LORD with just 5 loaves of bread

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 and 2 fishes. The people marveled and were in awe of the power that Christ had.
These Jews believed and are waiting for the Messiah to free them from the Roman
Empire. Indeed, they thought, and rightly so, that Jesus is the Messiah. They were
right in the Messiah part but wrong about the method. Christ knew that this is not
his Kingdom yet; He knew that that is not what the Father hath sent him to do.

John 6:14-15 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this
is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore
perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he
departed again into a mountain himself alone.

B. Paul’s advice to Timothy for these ‘perilous times’

Indeed, perilous times are upon us. As it was when Paul predicted it to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come

Paul then went on to describe what kind of people will be in this perilous times in
verses 2-8. Indeed, we can see these unfolding right before our eyes and it seems
like it’s not going to get better any time soon; probably because it is not going to get
better. The Bible told us that times would get worse and worse until the time of
God’s Kingdom.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and
being deceived.

What are we to do? Should we just take this sitting down? Of course not! Paul told
Timothy the key to surviving these times and no, it is not getting into politics.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But CONTINUE THOU IN THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST
LEARNED and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith in in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works.

The key and what was commanded to us, people of God, is to dig deep into the
Scriptures. To know what weapons God has given us in battling the temptation of
agreeing with the system of this world. And what are we to do with the Scriptures
after we study them?

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 2 Timothy 4:2-5 PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON;
REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. BUT WHAT THOU IN ALL
THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, MAKE FULL
PROOF OF THY MINISTRY.

All believers have this responsibility and this is our only chance in this world. This is
especially given to the pastor (Timothy). I did not see anything about politics here
and don’t even think of the “but it’s different in our time” argument for that will only
prove that we do not have our faith placed in the word of God.

To reinforce this point, another statement by pastor Geroge Totica goes like this:

“In so many ways all of us can do this as servants of God or children of His (talking
about what we can do with the government). How? By entering into politics and
reform them? No. This is what Paul advised to his trained disciple/son: ITim.2:1-4 and
it is still relevant for us today to do the same thing. These are the first and foremost
responsibility of a pastor and God's children. Spending more time in prayers and even
fasting would be as more as effective and powerful than to waste one's time
interacting and chatting with the wicked in politics. They are supposed to be in their
post doing what God wants them to do in the ministry. Our graphic models were Jesus
and the Apostles and 1st century believers”. – Ptr. Geroge Totica

Another pastor friend of ours who does not like to be named said this:

“If it were a primary concern, Paul would have told us to not pray for those who are in
authority, but rather that we should pray that the brethren enter into positions of
authority” - Anon

C. What are we to do with the wicked government?

If God did not want us to enter politics, how are we going to influence the
government to give Christians more favor?

First, we do not depend on the government although they are in authority and we
are to obey them when they are not contradicting the Bible but we obey the LORD
anyway even if they will not allow us. The Bible did tell us to pray for them.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, and giving
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 of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and
acceptable in the sigh of God our Saviour.

Paul urged Timothy to pray for those in authority. We know even from history and
in the Old Testament that God’s people are free to worship him whenever a
righteous man is in authority. We are to pray for them because only the power of
God can turn their wicked hearts.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he
turneth it withersoever he will.

Only the LORD can influence the heart of those in authority through Christians who
are on their knees and living lives that is acceptable unto God. Nehemiah was never
a person of influence; he is a mere cupbearer. Many before him have tried to rebuild
Jerusalem’s wall but failed. Nehemiah firstly prayed to God to help him be the one to
rebuild the wall and God answered his prayer by touching the heart of the king and
letting Nehemiah do what he wanted to do.

Daniel lived a prayerful and exemplary life. Through his prayer and life, God touched
the heart of the king to recognize and tell the people that Daniel’s God is the true
God. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego influenced great change as well just by
standing for what is right. God honors that.

Joseph lived out the principles he learned from his father. He knew that living a
righteous life is what he should do and God touched the heart of the king to give him
favor and place him in authority. He never did aspire to do that but God made a way
for him to be there. I mentioned earlier in this study that these are not pastors but
people of God who God placed strategically to preserve His people.

What are we to do with the government now? Submit to them as long as we are not
breaking Biblical principles, pray for them, vote and let God produce the results.

Practical reasons why pastors should avoid politics

Since we have mentioned practical reasons why people support pastors in politics. We
also have showed from the scriptures that pastors are not called to be politicians. Let us
also list some practical reasons why pastors should not be in politics:

Some of these are taken from this link: http://www.johnstackhouse.com/2015/07/11/top-

10-reasons-pastors-should-avoid-politics/ a lot of good points were made by a non-
believer! Imagine that!

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- Because no one trained you properly to get involved in politics—and a little seminar,
however exciting, won’t make up for that yawning deficit. (Do you think politicians can be
trained to be pastors by attending a seminar?)
- Because no one hired you to get involved in politics. (And if they did, they shouldn’t have)
- Because pastors are supposed to call us toward the ideal and the ultimate, while politicians
have to compromise over the real and the immediate.
- Because the Scriptures (your main area of intellectual expertise—right?) are, at best, only
suggestive and regulative over the field of politics (a quite different area of intellectual
expertise—right?).
- Because you’ll alienate a considerable part of your constituency who see political matters
differently, and will hold that difference against you, thus losing the benefits of your
pastoral care and authority.
- Because you need to consider the troubling fact that you’re not alienating a considerable
part of your constituency, so why is your church so uniform in its politics?
- Because governments come and go, and you need to reserve the sacred right to prophesy
to whoever is in power.
- Because politicians come and go, and you need to reserve the sacred right to comfort
whoever is not, or no longer, in power.
- Because politics brings out the worst in people, and you’re supposed to bring out the best
in people.
- Because politics brings out the worst in people, and unless you’re an exception (like
Tommy Douglas), politics will bring out the worst in you.
- Because we claim that being a pastor is the highest calling, so why do we need to step
down from what is supposed to be the highest calling to a mere government seat?

5. CONCLUSION

We feel burdened to let people know about this very sensitive
issue. Our hearts are broken because the name of the Lord and the
Baptist faith is being mocked by the pastors who are
compromising our faith by running in politics. We have seen much
compromise in our time by pastors trying to be politicians.

We urge those who have pastors who are getting into politics to
prayerfully ask them to stop. Ask them to be faithful and true to
their calling. God can and will help you do this. If the pastor does
not hear you, we pray that you look for a church that is solely
seeking to glorify God and obey his word.

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 We love pastors and pray that they will be used by God mightily as
some of these pastors have been used mightily by God; but they
surely have longed for more by running for government office and
with that, we strongly disagree.

6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A. So a member should run for political office instead?

This is actually another topic that we are planning to write about. But ask yourself
these questions:

Can you actually run for politics and not be stained by the filthiness of it? Can you
play with politicians and not compromise your faith? Can you do a campaign while
esteeming others better than yourself?

B. If not a pastor or a Christian, who should we vote for?

Vote for a person you know has the capability to actually be good in politics and
pray for that person. We should vote, by law, we are commanded to vote but voting
for a pastor is to partake in the mistake that he is about to make.

C. Why don’t we just support them? They have the right motive.

Because we love them and we do not want their testimony along with the testimony
of the Baptist name they are carrying be stained. An old pastor who has done well in
the ministry trying to endure the rigorous political campaign is not only damaging
his physical health but the his spiritual state and those under him.

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