Episode 13: Politics and The Gospel in an Age of Rage

Ordinary Radicals
Ordinary Radicals
Episode 13: Politics and The Gospel in an Age of Rage
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In this episode of the Ordinary Radicals podcast, Jonathan Hayashi and Brandon Boatner speak on the hot topic politics.

Can a gospel-loving Christian still care about politics at the same time? If a Christian is more on one side either to the right or left, still be a faithful Christian?

 

Some highlights from today’s episode;

  • Politics can be a divisive issue. Being under multiple pastors and reading much social media proves it.
  • Politics can be extremely stigmatizing as it’s way and completely divisive! Jesus is not about that.
  • I love children; therefore, I hate abortion.
  • We are not saying the church is a Republican church.

  • We have to stand for the sanctity of life, marriage, the preciousness of life and religious liberty.

  • Politics is the battle of the gods. It is either the capital “G” God or the lower case “g” god as people always have a personal agenda.
  • The political lingual of the American experiment: the language of (1) freedom, (2) equality, (3) rights.

  • It is not that Christians have nothing to say about Washington D.C. or Rome. But politics should not be the ultimate issue that focuses on the message.

  • The fullness of the gospel. We can be made right with God and have a relationship with one another.
  • Gospel centrality means not a social message, not a political message, not a moral message, nor a therapeutic message. But it is the message of sin, death, and forgiveness.

  • Politics is important, but let it not obscure our message or pervert the message. Let us remember why we exist as the people of God.

  • Ultimately comes down to identity. People know me for my identity as a Christian and ought to be the very top of the notice. I don’t think that’s true for many of us though.

 

Here’s the breakdown outline from today’s conversation;

Introduction: The Political Tension for Christian in Democrat vs. Republican Debate. 

  • “Trump is the devil”
  • “If you love Jesus, you cannot vote for a democrat”
  • Unfortunately, within the Christian circle, believers cannot talk about politics.
  • The origin of the left vs. the right (Democrat vs Republican).

1. Relevancy: The Willful Ignorance Against Politics

  • Jesus speaking on the current events on the issue of relevance.
  • Pastors often choose willful ignorance to avoid the topic of politics.
  • Politics has become a difficult topic to converse about in the Christian circle.
  • “What renders to Ceaser is Ceasers” (Matt 22:15-22).
  • The western interpretation that is out of context: God vs. Government?
  • The black and white issues (Example: Pro-Life matters).

2. Jesus as King: Which Kingdom You Live By?

  • Tony Evan’s comment on political stance as Christians.
  • “Jesus did not come to take sides, but to take over” – Tony Evans
  • We are to be kingdom people first and then political people the second.
  • The divine kingdom: The Gospel allegiance as kingdom citizenship
  • The battles of gods: The capital “G” God vs. the lower case “g” god.
  • The American experience (Example: teenage child’s issue of gender identity).
  • “Who’s the greatest?” The dispute amongst disciples (Luke 9:46-48).
  • The confusion: (1) the role of the church, (2) the role of the government.
  • Who can change the heart of man? (Prov 19:21).

3. The Gospel Above All: Even Political Opinion

  • The gospel unites us all. The gospel needs to be the most important issue!
  • Jesus selects Matthew the tax collector and Simo the Zealot (Matt 11:1-19)
  • “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2).
  • United for the gospel: “The faith that was once delivered to all the saints” (Jude 1:3).
  • “The Gospel: the first and foremost” (1 Tim 2:1-15).
  • The unity of the church is far more important than the uniformity of our politics
  • Amid political discard, church leadership is to put the mission first.
  • People ought to be known for their love for one another first (1 John 2:1).

 

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

 

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at jonathanhayashi.com.

 

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