Breach of Truth: The Error of Apostolic and Prophetic Political Activism
NOTE from November 2023: This is a perspective originally posted November 11, 2011. In hindsight, the error of Christian Nationalism was evident at that time, if not named.
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As of this writing (2011), there is a renewed emphasis on social and political activism among some apostolic and prophetic personalities and movements. Not unlike traditional denominationalism, many of these movements are unrelated to one another in practice and doctrine. Of particular concern, are politically charged positions and statements that are too often at variance with truth, biblically and factually. What we don’t need are more practices that ultimately end in discrediting genuine apostolic and prophetic ministry or introducing more controversy and disunity into the body of Christ.
FOUNDATION TEXTS:
Deuteronomy 32:3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe
greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His
ways are justice, A God of truth and
without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (NKJV)
Psalm 15:1 LORD,
who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who
walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
Psalm
33:4, For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.
Proverbs 8:7, For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is
an abomination to my lips.
Isaiah 59:14, Justice is turned back, And righteousness
stands afar off; For truth is fallen in
the street, And equity cannot enter.
Isaiah 61:8, For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate
robbery for burnt offering; I will
direct their work in truth...
2 Corinthians
4:2, But we have renounced the hidden
things of shame, not walking in
craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending
ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Eph. 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each
one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
1 Timothy 3:15, but if I am delayed, I write so that you may
know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground
of the truth.
1 Timothy 6:4 ...He is proud, knowing nothing, but is
obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife,
reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless
wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose
that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
2 Timothy 2:17 And their message will spread like cancer.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection
is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables.
There is the
emerging problem of some prophetic movements practically endorsing political
candidates, mostly on the basis of the candidates’ claims of Christianity. This
“prophetic political activism” (as I call it) is not unlike the Moral Majority
movement of the 1980’s or the Christian Coalition of the 1990’s. For example,
The “Oak Initiative” is one of the many new movements that is less evangelical
and more apostolic/prophetic in its leadership. (http://www.theoakinitiative.org)
In the church
today, there is no broad consensus on the definition and function of
apostolic/prophetic ministries. The various camps define themselves according
to their leaders and scriptural interpretations. Many in the evangelical, or
so-called “mainstream,” church reject claims of modern apostolic/prophetic
authority (in the Pauline sense) as misguided at best, or heretical at worst.
Many in charismatic/pentecostal/non-demoninational churches view these
movements with varying degrees of uncertainty and concern. Yet, there are many
churches that embrace episcopal/apostolic/prophetic authority and
ecclesiastical government with great conviction.
Ephesians 2:19-20
states that the foundation of the New Testament church was laid by apostles and
prophets. In the book of Acts, we can review the history of the formation of
this foundation through the ministry of church fathers, including apostles,
prophets, elders and the body of believers. The book of Acts and the Epistles
clearly show apostolic missionary efforts, miraculous signs, the development of
church government, and the distribution of epistles that we now regard as Holy
Scripture. “Pre-ascension”
apostles—those Jesus chose before his death and resurrection—and
“post-ascension” apostles such as Paul, Barnabas, Andronicus, and others, were
instrumental in the formation of foundation and doctrine in the early church.
Paul makes it clear that the
doctrinal and operational foundation of the church would not be re-laid.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,
which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11)
This raises questions
regarding of the nature and scope of apostolic and prophetic authority today.
What is the difference between “foundational” and “post-foundational” apostles?
This becomes especially significant in view of the Scriptures penned by
foundational apostles under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today, we carry
Bibles that embody the information and revelation of apostolic and prophetic
founders. The instructions of the Epistles have been a reliable and
authoritative guide to believers and Christian leaders for many centuries.
It is not my
objective to explore those questions here. My interest in this article concerns
the current dynamic regarding social and political activism as it relates to
apostolic and prophetic personalities and their followers. By what authority do
they engage politically? I have been specifically concerned about a number of
“prophetic” or God-attributed statements made by such persons in relation to
society, governments, conditions of people groups, and national political
leadership. Why are statements by today’s “prophets” not judged by the biblical
standard? (1 Corinthians 14:29)
Are not some of today’s pronouncements unbiblical and therefore lacking in
divine authority?
To be sure,
Christians in the USA, as members of the citizenry, have every right to engage
in civil and political discourse.
The question we should address is: What is our appropriate level of
engagement, activism, or alignment with socio-political activities? We can all
express our viewpoints. However, when we invoke the name of God or Jesus, or
attach His name to our statements, we must be held to a stricter standard.
I suggest that we
consider our level of engagement and alignment in two specific areas:
1. As American citizens in light of the
predominant Christian culture of the United States. At this citizenship level,
we have to consider how we interact with non-Christians, people of other
religions, and towards those who hold lifestyles and
perspectives that are antithetical to our understanding.
2. As Christians who are committed to God,
His kingdom, as members of the Body of Christ both local and universal, who
regard the Bible as God’s inspired Word and final authority in life.
I suggest there
are two polar opposite worldviews among some Christians that I will
characterize, for the purposes of contrast, as Demonstrate and Dominate.
1. Priority
of Demonstrate: Christians should be concerned with preaching the
gospel, improving the lives of people as a witness of God's love, winning
souls, and doing good works. This priority could be highlighted by Luke 10:27, “You shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,
and love your neighbor as yourself.”
At the extreme
“Demonstrate” end of this hypothetical spectrum are believers who stay close to
their church buildings and networks, who focus on successful living and being
charitable to others as a means to win them to Christ.
At the extreme
“Dominate” end of this hypothetical spectrum, we find believers carrying out
the mandates of their apostles/prophets with conviction and activism. These
mandates can include activity such as holding meetings convened to change
society, praying and prophesying over political leaders, and making declarative
statements over groups of people such as Latinos, African Americans, USA,
Muslims, etc. These apostles/prophets may also proclaim God’s judgment or
blessing on nations, people groups, and denounce “national sins” such as
abortion and racism. Some decree God’s hand in disasters such as 911 or the
Haiti earthquake. Some others prophesy of impending doom, economic collapse, or
see God’s judgment in political outcomes, such as the election of Barack Obama.
Many within the
dominate/dominion movement have embraced variations of the so-called “Seven
Mountains Mandate” which proposes that God wants His church to either influence
or control (depending upon one’s mandate) seven areas of society and culture: business,
government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion.
I see no problem with believers being influential in these arenas as “salt and
light,” but some have taken to the notion of “conquering” the Seven Mountains
for God. Incompetent and unskilled people inserting themselves into systems, including (and especially) Christians, can lead to nothing good.
(http://www.reclaim7mountains.com/, http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Mountain-Prophecy-Unveiling-Revolution/dp/1599792877,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD6OmQe_t2U, et. al.)
Within the
dominate movement, spiritual authority is too often assumed in the name of God
and “Truth,” but it is too often at the expense of “truthfulness" and actual competence. The trail of
failed prophecies, inaccurate proclamations, and questionable alliances is long
and easy to document. Added to this trail of failure is the embrace of
political candidates with questionable character and who lack
governmental/operational competence. Following is a link to one prophet’s
assessment of the 2011 list of Republican candidates. (http://www.theoakinitiative.org/special-bulletin-11-2011)
I suggest that it is
supremely important that anything attributed to God be both true and truthful.
Attributions to
God should be true because they are consistent with the word of God.
Attributions to God should be truthful by reflecting factual information.
Politicians who distort facts, display bad character, demonstrate incompetence,
should not be given a pass, even after being endorsed by apostolic/prophetic
personalities or movements. Aligning with such persons is problematic at best.
John 14:6,
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
God and His Word
are Truth and truthful. Truth is reality as God defines it. Without God and His
word, the “way, truth, and life” becomes subject to the interpretation of
people––and preachers.
Rather than
herald the urgent need for apostles and prophets to act, as is often cited
within some of these movements, it is infinitely more needful to herald the
Lord Jesus Christ and our collective responsibility, as the body of Christ, to
take his Gospel truth “into all the world” (which includes earthly
institutions) with the mandate to “make disciples.”
In 2 Cor. 4:5
(NLT), Paul wrote, “You see, we don't go around preaching about
ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your
servants for Jesus' sake.”
Those internal
and governmental systems that are necessary to the effective and healthy
functioning of Christ’s church should not fail to place Christ at the forefront
of all activities. The authority of ecclesiastical leaders is significant, but
cannot supersede the authority of the Scriptures, nor disregard factual
information. I once heard the true statement, “You are entitled to your own
opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.”
We should not
presume that the leadership and governmental systems of the church are
applicable to, and enforceable upon, all of society and civil governments. We may be witnessing massive overreach,
and a breach of truth, by some spiritual leaders in the area of partisan
political activism.
We need to
recover wisdom and humility in this season.
~ Bryan Hudson
