Who Controls the Pulpit?

September 6th, 2011

by Jeremy Dys

I cannot think of a single pastor that I know who would answer that question with any answer but, “Christ himself.” Yet, that does not seem to be the way the IRS and some politicians view it. In fact, if the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State are to be believed, on some things, pastors must remain silent.

For most of the history of Christianity, governments have tried – and failed – to silence what is said in the pulpits. Words of Truth, spoken in convicting Grace, cut to the joint and marrow. Hardened hearts and unwashed ears run when they are laid bare before Scripture.

This, I believe, is in part why we see abortionists, secularists, pornographers, and homosexual activists so bothered by pastors speaking on moral issues that touch on politics. They are quick to invoke, the ‘separation of church and state’ as if it were a newly discovered doctrine of the faith that cancels out the command of Christ to make disciples of all nations.

As a result, many pastors have self-censored their messages and slowly justified their silence with claims of “peace” and “unity.” Their silence has left those in the pews without encouragement and instruction. Such self-censoring has made a culture devoid of salt quite bland. the rest image

Men of the pulpit: preach the Gospel. Preach not a moralism that fails. Preach the Gospel.