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7 Comments on “Q&A with Horton | Politics and the Church”

1. What I Read Online – 11/29/2011 (a.m.) | Emeth Aletheia
   November 28th, 2011 at 4:35 pm

   [...] Q&A with Horton | Politics and the Church – White Horse Inn Blog [...]

2. 
   Harvey Plett
   November 28th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

   Well done Dr. Horton. If only more of our church leaders and churches were as discerning as you. Thank you.

3. 
   Paula
   November 29th, 2011 at 5:55 am

   Horton for president! (Half serious…no, really, serious!)

4. 
   Taylor
   November 29th, 2011 at 4:11 pm

   While I agree with you that (the church) Churches should not be inviting politicians to the pulpit, I think I disagree with why. I do believe that the church can help guide it’s people in good decision making, without identifying specific politicians to vote for. I very much believe that the church should be completely engaged in ‘the culture’ and not see itself and a culture set apart. This thinking is what has lead to the current ‘church’ situation in Europe and the slow slide of the protestant church in the US. I’m making big macro generalizations here, but I think my point is made. Perhaps some of this thinking comes from predestination? That we are set apart by divine choice? That would be a sad way to live out that theology (to separate the church culture with the rest of the world).

5. 
   Mike Horton
   November 30th, 2011 at 7:40 am

   Taylor,
   The Protestant churches in Europe were state churches that plunged head-first into “culture.” The Evangelical Church changed its name to the Reich’s Church under Hitler under the banner of cultural impact. Mainline Protestant bodies in the U.S., especially since the 19th century revivals, have been obsessed with cultural relevance. The Social Gospel, civil religion, liberation theology: these form the creed that the mainline corpse still clutches in its last hours. We need to believe again that the church is the everlasting nation. That doesn’t mean that our earthly citizenship is unimportant. (I wrote “Where In the World is the Church” to encourage Christians to see their callings in the world as important.) However, it does mean that we need to start believing again that the church IS a culture, rather than merely ENGAGING one. The church is a culture in its own right and the ministry of Word and sacrament is the source of that new society. We don’t have to transform culture into Christ’s kingdom in order to “love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly with our God” in our neighborhoods and offices.

6. 
   David Hodges
   November 30th, 2011 at 8:44 pm

   When Scriptural values are pertinent to a matter of public policy, or to a choice between political candidates, I would maintain that Christian leaders not only should not stay out of policy and politics, but are (to differing degrees depending on individual calling) obligated both to address policy and to take action politically. For example, when a politician (even one professing Christ) gets elected on a radically pro-abortion agenda, which he then proceeds to implement in law to the greatest extent he can, true Christian leaders seem to me obligated to denounce that politician (and, in the case of a professing Christian politician, to call him to repentance), and to make it clear to those whom they lead that voting for that politician is not acceptable Christian behavior.

7. Pro Studio – Week of 11/28 | Lighting the Dark
   December 1st, 2011 at 7:20 am

   [...] Q&A With Horton: Politics – “What is the relationship between Christianity and politics? What danger comes from confusing the two?” See also, Ancient Israel’s Government Today? and Faith and Voting. [...]

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