Politics and Pulpit A Real Confession

Despite ongoing cautions about Christian entanglement in state affairs, a new study of clergy suggests political issues are regular topics in the nation’s pulpits. In addition, the research findings indicate no one “Christian” view is likely to dominate this fall’s presidential election as liberals and conservatives move further apart.

The six-year survey of nearly 8,000 pastors in eight denominations concludes, “The theological divide among Protestant clergy is probably widening, as those in the conservative denominations remain relatively stable in beliefs and identifications, while mainline Protestant clergy seem to be drifting in an even more liberal theological direction.” Four political science college professors conducted the research: James L. Guth of Furman University, Corwin Smidt of Calvin College, Lyman Kellstedt of Wheaton College, and John C. Green of the University of Akron. Results will be published next year in “The Bully Pulpit: The Politics of Protestant Clergy” (University of Kansas Press).

According to the analysis, many Bible-believing Christians see political liberals as the enemy. Two-thirds of the most conservative believers say it is difficult to be both a political liberal and a true Christian.

Guth says evangelicals in recent years have been relying more on the political process to bring about reform. “Evangelicals have moved to a position that the government plays a critical role in setting moral parameters and, therefore, government policies do make a difference,” Guth told CT.

“This new civic gospel is part of the notion that the Christian Right has tried to develop of America falling away from its Christian beginnings.”

Copyright © 1996 Christianity Today, Inc./CHRISTIANITY TODAY Magazine

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

1996 Christianity Today Book Awards

When Crowds Gather, 'No Greater Love' Is There

CIA Use of Missionaries Revisited

RCA Pastor Refuses to Repent

Prepacked Communion Takes Off

Deposed Bishop Invents Online Diocese

Graham Son Subs for Dad Down Under

Anglican Province Created

Patriarchs Quarrel over Estonia

CHARLES COLSON: Christian v. America

'The Right to Parent': Should It Be Fundamental?

Graham Reaches Largest Television Audience

Jury Still Out on Homosexual Ordination

Muslim-Christian Conflicts May Destabilize East Africa

Stanley's Wife Halts Divorce Plans

News

News Briefs: April 29, 1996

Where Is the Christian Men's Movement Headed?

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from April 29, 1996

ARTICLE: Politics and Religion Do Mix

ARTICLE: Rehearsing Forgiveness

ARTICLE: The Jesus Seminar Unmasked

ARTICLE: The Case for Christian Kitsch

ARTICLE: Saint John Wayne and the Dragon

ARTICLE: Why Volunteers Won’t Save America

Editorial

EDITORIAL: Confessions of an Editor

Editorial

EDITORIAL: Our Extended, Persecuted Family

LETTERS: Jesus is the truth

Staff Assignments

News

Flash Cards from Heaven

View issue

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Young Republican Texts, Anglican Split, and George Santos Released

Controversial Republican texts, Anglican Communion splits, and George Santos’s sentence is commuted.

Review

Do Evangelical Political Errors Rise to the Level of Heresy?

A Lutheran pastor identifies five false teachings that threaten to corrupt the church’s public witness.

Highlights and Lowlights of 1957

In its first full year of publication, CT looked at Civil Rights, Cold War satellites, artificial insemination, and carefully planned evangelism.

News

Will There Be a Christian Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Conservatives suggest country and Christian artist alternatives for game day.

News

As Madagascar’s Government Topples, Pastors Call for Peace

Gen Z–led protests on the African island nation led to a military takeover.

News

Amid Fragile Cease-Fire, Limited Aid Reaches Gazans

Locals see the price of flour rise and fall as truce is strained and some borders remain closed.

News

Federal Job Cuts Hit Home as Virginia Picks Its Next Governor

Meanwhile, the GOP candidate draws from Trump’s playbook to focus on transgender issues in schools. 

Religious OCD and Me

Scrupulosity latches onto the thing we hold most dear—our relationship with God.

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