Politics an Idol That Distracts Christians From What's Really Important?
Politics can certainly be a distraction.
And yet, any aspect of creation can unduly distract and lead to idolatry -- including caring for the lost, sick, and so on.
The challenges one faces in politics are no different in principle from the challenges of living as salt and light in any calling of life today, and in any aspect of society.
A few examples: Pastors and churches are tempted to lord it over their flocks and be treated as gods; Christian businesses and bookstores equally face temptations to lie, cheat, and steal; Christian musicians face the temptation of settling for less than excellence and instead produce "praise" music that's better suited for the gods of elevators.
Politics, education, the arts, recreation -- all of life is meant to be lived in community with God and man.
But, equally, in a broken world, each of these can be a distraction and a lure away from our true calling.
A pastor, church, or Christian who fails to apply -- across all of life, including political life -- the verifiable, publicly actionable wisdom given by a knowable Creator is failing to be salt and light.
When that happens, society suffers, as is evident in the news and events of life in America today.
The comments above, slightly edited here, first appeared in Facebook.
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