Last Sunday, I heard my pastor give one of his best sermons ever.  He has recently awakened to the idea (later than most “conservative” pastors) that the church has a right and a duty to be involved in politics, with very few limitations.  However, his position seems to differ slightly from many of his fellow preachers, and his sermon last Sunday reflected that difference.  His message was that if Christians are going to hold public officials to a high standard of morality and character, then they must hold themselves to that same high standard.

I would take it a step further, and he would, I’m sure, understand where I’m coming from even if he wouldn’t completely agree with me.  I think the Church, by looking to the government to set the country’s tone on issues like abortion, gay marriage, religious speech, school prayer, etc., has dodged their responsibility to be the example of how God intended humanity to act in these areas.  Beyond that, I think that regardless of what the law is on these issues, it is the Church that needs to wrestle with these issues and be the standard bearer for a Biblically righteous position.  Some of them are clear-cut; some aren’t.  In any case, the Church needs to step up.