Whether you’ve been a part of a church for decades or have never set foot in the place - you’ve heard plenty of controversy on politics and the church. Some say that politics has no place in the pulpit and expect the church to stay out of the city square - while others never stop talking about the church’s work for justice.
Theologian Karl Barth is oft quoted as teaching preachers to “hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” But what Barth really said (in 1966) was this: “...read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” Interestingly, both the press and the church claim as a purpose to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. ”
So, why is politics such a hot button in the church? And, what IS the place of politics in our faith?
