By priests, I mean all denominations, not just the Catholics of whose Church I belong.
It seems to me that there is a trend, here in the UK at least, for priests, (vicars, ministers, pastors and so on), to be trendy, modern, fashionable, likeable/lovable rather than being Christian and proclaim Christ's message as He meant it to be.
You see it often on TV where people of the cloth propound their own personal opinion on subjects not directly pertinent to Christianity. They talk on matters of politics, the environment, saving the planet, even Brexit, and so on in a personalised manner rather than focusing on the true message of Christianity.
I am not saying that the Church should not be political.
Christ was political and suffered death as a result. But the important difference is that His politics was based on God's Word primarily focussing on the Commandment to love God and to love one another, including our enemies.
At no time did He pronounce on relationships between the Jews and the occupying Roman forces. When tricked by the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes, He uttered the immortal phrase “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17
This is often seen as an unambiguous message to the extent that it commands people to respect state authority.
Today, it seems that our modern priests have wandered somewhat from this path and they air their opinions on matters of economics, government policies, ecology, immigration, education and many others.
No one's suggesting that priests should not have a personal opinion in these matters. Of course they should; it is an obligation in a democracy to have serious opinions on issues of the day. But I do not think that the Sunday pulpit, or TV and radio, are the place for such opinions to be proclaimed.
When a priest stands in church on Sunday, (or on the media), and questions government policy he has immediately divided his audience (congregation). Some will agree with what he says, and others will strongly disagree. As a result those who disagree will see him in a new light and will, subconsciously at least, feel (or be) distanced from him.
This does Christianity no good and does not serve God well.
By being political and by siding for or against State matters such a priest can no longer serve two masters - God and his personal political and other beliefs.
Instead of preaching politics from the pulpit, I would like to see our priests talking about sin, hell, Satan, greed, adultery, abortion, euthanasia ... ... ... Gather the sheep, Father; don't divide them!
Discuss.
...many clergy in this country have forgotten Jesus' message.
ReplyDeleteSad isn't it?
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
Yes. Agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi.
DeleteGod bless you.
trendy and fashionable certainly give us cause for pause
ReplyDeleteAmen Linda. God bless.
DeleteThis is a post that causes one to pause and consider how our ministers do represent Christ as his representatives.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Cathy. Many have forgotten their vocation.
DeleteGod bless.
There are some pastors today, that do not preach on the dangers of hell, which I find really sad!
ReplyDeleteYes Lon, it is sad. God bless you.
DeleteAmen, Victor! Satan loves nothing better than to see Christians divided. We can't let that happen!
ReplyDeleteIt is happening over here, Martha.
DeleteGod bless you.
Amen! I'd be at a loss to fully explain it, but there's sure something to be said about the division of Church and State. Our little congregation just participated in a weighty schism going on in the United Methodist Church ... and worship in the way (we believe) Christ taught.
ReplyDeleteThere are many divisions in other churches too, Mevely. On many issues too. No wonder, over here, church attendance is at an all time low.
DeleteGod bless you.
In the United States preachers are not supposed to get too political from the pulpit (or their church can lose its tax-exampt status). However, I see many flouting that rule.
ReplyDeleteI did not know about the tax-exempt status, Kathy. Thank you.
DeleteGod bless.
Some clergy have lost their original message and now use the pulpit for personal gain.
ReplyDeleteYes that is true, thank you, Bill. Too true.
DeleteGod bless.
I am so thankful for my church with a pastor who preaches the BIBLE every Sunday. (He preaches on all the subjects you mentioned in the last paragraph)
ReplyDeleteYou are very fortunate, Happyone. God bless.
DeleteA very good and true post Victor. How strange that my latest post is based on the same subject. The war is not with flesh and blood, it is spiritual. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that many priests are losing their focus, Brenda.
DeleteGod bless.
In gathering the sheep around the Word as it stands, he will still be dividing sheep from goats, but that's a good thing. If and when persecution comes, the sheep will need to stick together with a strong leader who loves God and loves the scripture and preaches it as it should be.
ReplyDeleteAmen Mimi. God bless.
Delete