A Minister of the Gospel?
Politics certainly bring out the best and the worst in us. Here at TI we have steered away from talking much about politics because it is not our main focus. There has been an intersection between faith and politics this season, however, that warrants some commentary.
I have watched with much frustration and dismay as the media have repeatedly played sound bite after sound bite of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I am disgusted at his comments but I must say that no one can get an accurate reflection of many years of ministry from a few seconds of video. I’m sure that he did many things to help his congregation and his community. He may have even preached the truth of God’s Word faithfully, maybe. Sadly, because of these episodes of anger, racism, and political meddling the public will likely never know. Rev. Wright forgot why he should even be called a reverend in the first place. Rev Wright forgot that a pastor is to be a minister of the gospel.
I know it is a fine line that pastors must walk and yet that line is clear. A pastor must focus his life, his message, and his ministry on proclaiming the Gospel that we have received. I have no doubt that Rev. Wright’s comments were made because he felt the need to instigate change and to make a difference. What he lost sight of is that the greatest message of change is found in the following…
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
So if you are a pastor and you feel the urge to speak about a political topic such as abortion or gay marriage or taxes. In my opinion thats okay as long as these topics are spoken of in the context of Gospel. It is the only message that will truly make a difference.
Thanks for this perspective Mike. I have been frustrated with the soundbites, too. I’m sure that a person with some time on their hands could even find a few things that Pastor Horner has said and take them out of context in order to stir up emotions and dissension. I’m not equaing the two men; certainly it would seem that Rev. Wright has lost sight of his calling at some point. But as Horner himself said a few months ago, none of us can truly know a man’s heart. Only God can know the contents of Wright’s heart. I also think that us Baptists need to be really careful about pointing fingers at pastors who say crazy things, especially concerning 9/11. I won’t speak ill of the dead, but we have our own share of shameful comments that have been made in God’s name by men who should have known better.
jenn,
I don’t envy a pastor’s responsibility. Everything they say is dissected and scrutinized. I guess that is why their public pronouncements must have absolute moral clarity. I am so impressed by the ones who by God’s grace accomplish this.
Amen to that. I think that true humility is the key. I am still working on that one in my own life…