by Laura Gunnarson
I finally decided to unsubscribe to the weekly editorial emails I was receiving from the editor of a prominent Christian magazine. I have read his magazine for upwards of 20 years. I’ve been edified by the great devotional teachings from national authors, and encouraged by its updates of what is happening in the church worldwide. I have been connected to new and cutting-edge ministries through this magazine, and have been blessed to participate in the various forms of outreach it promotes. So, if this publication has been such a rich source of blessing over the years, why?
Simply stated, it’s because I’m angry–and not just because I’m reacting to his editorials the way the editor wants me to. Granted, his letters are written to stir anger in me-anger over the unrighteous course of our nation’s policy and various political parties’ supposed agendas. Anger is very motivating, and the editor wants to move me to support a particular political party in the United States. His overall premise is that only one party promotes righteous behavior among citizens, and it is my duty as a believer in God’s righteousness to support it. Anything other would be…well…un-Christian!would I choose to unsubscribe?
I have heard preachers describe this as “righteous anger.” The problem is, nowhere in Scripture is the word “righteous” (nor even the concept of “righteousness”) associated with anger. The Bible in fact warns us not to sin when we are angry and not to hang out with angry people, because it tends to rub off on us. Only God is holy in his judgments. Meanwhile, “our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20).
But even after unsubscribing . . . I find I’m still angry. What about, you ask? Not the unrighteous political folk and policies of our time. I’m upset instead about how few venues seem to be left in the U.S. church-world that offer pure biblical teaching and edification without mixing it with some kind of political party agenda.
My hunger for fellowship around the pure Word of God is only increasing. I’m afraid the hunger of lost souls in this world for God’s Truth goes increasingly unsatisfied. How many of us in ministry will provide an open door that invites ALL political persuasions to gain the faith that comes from hearing the WORD OF GOD? People need to know that JESUS is the answer, not the person who holds elected office, nor the party that controls the Senate. Our calling to ministry is supposed to be a heavenly one (Hebrews 3:1).
As for unrighteous policies and people? God is the only truly righteous Judge, but it seems to me that no political party’s righteousness outshines the other. We have seen gross immorality and lack of integrity among people of both major American parties in recent years. Parties are made up of people, and people are imperfect and self-oriented no matter their party affiliation.
Both major parties claim to have platform planks that are motivated by “righteous” agendas. Do we really think the Almighty and Holy Creator of the universe is swayed by such propaganda? Do we really think God chooses one party over the other? Beyond that, here’s a fact that may be revelational to some . . . God isn’t even American! Perhaps Jesus had all of this in mind when he said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
If the voting practices of American citizens over the past 12 years accurately reflect their party affiliations, then ministries that choose to align with one party over the other have effectively alienated at least 50 million Americans from receiving their presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Fifty million people alienated from the gospel! This is an almost unimaginable price to pay for the gain of some political influence.
The tag-line of the magazine whose editorial emails I unsubscribed to is “Proclaiming Jesus to the World.” If only this were true . . .
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:1-3)
Laura Gunnarson has served as associate pastor at Church For All Nations in Tacoma, WA and has a sincere desire to see all age groups develop a passion for the active Word of God in their lives.
