Generally, my position is that of chess Grandmaster and strict Orthodox Jew, Samuel Reshevsky when his Rabbi asked him to talk to Bobby Fischer. Since Fischer was technically Jewish (although Fischer denied it), Reshevsky's Rabbi asked him, through personal efforts or in some other way, to try to help Fischer. Reshevsky was happy to do it, but when Fischer, who expressed strong anti-Jewish beliefs, was not interested Reshevsky simply commented, “He has his beliefs. I have mine.”
Today I saw a headline on Yahoo reading, “Maryland pastor attacks Trump with Vice President Pence sitting in front pew.” VP Pence and his wife were attending the pastor's church Sunday when the pastor attacked President Trump (though he did not mention his name) by calling his comments on Haiti and Africa "hurtful," "dehumanizing" and "vulgar."
The pastor commented, “I stand here today as your pastor to vehemently denounce and reject such characterizations. Whoever said it is wrong, and they oughta be held accountable.” The congregation loudly applauded.
What President Trump may or may not have said is not the point. The pastor commented, "As a pastor, I have to speak up for my people. And the vice president just happened to have been there." He could not be more wrong.
I am reminded that when I was in the military we saluted officers, but only if they were in uniform. The reason was because the salute was not to honor the man, but the uniform and what it stands for. Likewise, officers were required to return the salute for the same reason. We were taught to respect the position if not the man.
While we should not shrug our shoulders at cultural and moral decay and social injustice, it is not a pastor's calling to speak on those matters. Their duty is to preach and teach the Bible, pray and guide their people in religious, not political or social, matters.
If a pastor claims to be Christian his guide should be the Bible. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul gave instructions to a young pastor named Timothy. He advised him to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, guard it and continue in it.
Paul also wrote to the Christians in Rome, who most certainly lived under an oppressive government, to obey those who ruled over them. Paul warned them to watch out if they didn't because rulers don’t carry a sword for no reason.
People were also told to pay their taxes and to give to everyone what was owed them. He wasn't talking about just money. Paul also asked, “Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it. Pay everything you owe.”
When Paul wrote to Timothy he also gave qualifications for a Bishop (pastor). He must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children respectful for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? Paul also added that a pastor must be well thought of by outsiders so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Paul also instructed Timothy that in addition to preaching the word of God, he should also make petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness because it is good and pleases God. And that is what the pastor should have been doing Sunday. Just my opinion.
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