I was once given a book titled The Patriot Preachers of the American Revolution.  It is a collection of sermons that were preached on the American frontier in the last half of the 18^th Century. Leading up to the American Revolution in 1776, ministers courageously preached about the principles of a just war and endorsed declaring independence from King George’s oppressive policies.  Among those who advocated American independence was Samuel Langdon, president of Harvard University.

The book includes the famed story of John Peter Muhlenberg, a Lutheran pastor who, after preaching a sermon, removed his ministerial robe to reveal a Continental uniform underneath. Muhlenberg proceeded to encourage others to join the cause and eventually raised an entire regiment from within his church.  That was a courageous decision by a pastor because the war was starting to divide the country and tear entire families apart. Muhlenberg’s own father was a German-born Lutheran minister who supported the British, yet Peter Muhlenberg became a Major General in the Continental Army.

At the founding of the United States, ministers were not reluctant to preach about political matters that significantly impacted their congregations and communities.  Yet 240 years later, many Christians express surprise and concern when pastors speak on matters that have become “political.”

Years ago, I preached an election weekend sermon on the Biblical issues that were at stake and urged people to vote as the Lord led.  I didn’t mention a political party but outlined the relevant issues and quoted Bible passages that applied.  One disturbed couple wrote they were never returning because they felt like they had been to a Republican party rally.  Of course, no pastor wants to deal with that kind of criticism or lose potential members, so many choose not to say anything at all.

However, my primary calling is not to avoid offending a seeker but to stand firm on God’s Word.  We are commanded in Scripture to “Preach the word in season and out of season.”  There are numerous spiritual issues that have become political: abortion, euthanasia, creation, gay marriage, racism, divorce, cohabitation, gender identity, religious freedom, care for the poor, treatment of foreigners, and women’s rights.  How can a pastor remain silent on these significant spiritual issues for fear they are deemed political?

Martin Luther once said, “If I be valiant all along battle lines except at the point where Satan presses his attack, I am not valiant.”  So we must consider that Satan continues pressing his attack in political areas that undermine God’s authority, confuses people about what is true, and promotes the glorification of self.  Just because many areas of Satan’s attack are “political” does not absolve Christians from taking a stand against them. In a nation where “we the people” govern, Christians will be held to account for ignoring “political” issues that enable sin and degenerate the culture.

Therefore, for the upcoming election cycle, I am again urging Christians to consider what is culturally at stake and how to properly steward the future of our nation by the way they vote. Will you elect officials who endorse and enable sin or officials who will say they will uphold Biblical authority?

For instance, in Kentucky, we have two candidates for governor ­– Governor Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron – who hold contrasting opinions on important Biblical issues. ­­­Therefore, several weeks ago, I announced my support for Daniel Cameron for Kentucky’s governor because the first responsibility of a Christian leader is not to be sensitive to the perceived reaction of the seeker but to “Preach the word in season and out of season…” (2 Timothy 4:2).  The perilous times in which we live demand a new boldness.

As responsible citizens and stewards of this nation’s future, how can we remain silent when the Biblical directives are so clear that only the spiritually blind can miss them?  The Apostle Paul urged believers to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

Christians in Kentucky should carefully consider the contrasting positions between the two candidates on several significant Biblical issues. The voter’s guide from the Commonwealth Policy Center (shown below) is a helpful tool and clearly outlines these areas.

While you may criticize me for speaking on these political issues, I cannot help but ask, how can you only consider these political issues?

My dad was an elder in our church. He had a keen sense of what was right and wrong and was not hesitant to express it. If my father, who passed away 28 years ago, could see the moral chaos that exists in the world today, he would challenge me, “What in the world have you been doing?”

If I reasoned that I was just being careful not to offend or that I didn’t want to get criticized, I’m sure it would seem cowardly to my father.  I am afraid it would sound cowardly to my heavenly Father as well.

I want my descendants to say, “My grandfather was strong and courageous.  He did what he could to preserve the freedoms and privileges that sustained our nation for over 200 years.”

Jesus said, “’You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.’ ’You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’” (Matthew 5:13-16).

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