Prophets in Politics? | Charlie Shamp
Introduction
In the grand narrative of human history, the story of the Exodus stands as a profound testament to the transformative power of faith. It is a biblical narrative, not merely of physical liberation from bondage but of the intentional and radical formation of a new social order that embodies the vision of divine freedom. This narrative holds essential lessons for those called to prophetic ministry today, urging them to engage deeply with political issues, social justice, and national affairs that impact righteousness and justice.
A New Social Order
The participants in the Exodus found themselves unexpectedly thrust into the creation of a new community, one that would break away from the oppressive structures of Egypt. This new order was not a mere continuation of their past but an entirely new reality, defined by principles of justice, compassion, and divine freedom. And for year, this community flourished, starkly contrasting the rigid, exploitative systems they had left behind.
The Radical Break from Imperial Reality
The radical break of Moses and Israel from the imperial reality of Egypt marked a two-dimensional departure from both the religion of static triumphalism and the politics of oppression and exploitation. Moses dismantled the religion of static triumphalism by exposing the gods of Egypt, revealing their impotence and falseness. This act stripped Pharaoh's regime of its mythical legitimacy, demonstrating that the divine sanctions it claimed were non-existent.
In place of the gods of Egypt—mere constructs of imperial consciousness—Moses introduced Yahweh, the sovereign God who acts in divine freedom. Yahweh is not extrapolated from any social reality nor captive to human perception but acts independently towards divine purposes. This revelation of a free and sovereign God fundamentally undermined the religious and political foundations of Egyptian imperialism.
Dismantling Politics of Oppression
Simultaneously, Moses countered the politics of oppression and exploitation with a politics of justice and compassion. The reality that emerged from the Exodus was not merely a new religious idea but the birth of a new social community in history. This community was built on principles of justice, compassion, and divine freedom, offering a stark contrast to the oppressive systems of Egypt.
The Necessity of Divine Freedom
Drawing on the insights of biblical scholars like Walter Brueggemann, we learn that a politics of justice and compassion is unsustainable without a corresponding religion of divine freedom. Our social and political realities are ultimately reflections of the gods we worship. If our understanding of the divine is static, oppressive, demonic and wicked, so too will be our societies. Conversely, a dynamic and liberating faith can give rise to communities characterized by justice, compassion, and true freedom.
The Exodus narrative is a powerful reminder that faith has the potential to transform societies. By breaking away from oppressive structures and embracing a vision of divine freedom, we can create communities that reflect the highest ideals of justice and compassion. This is the enduring legacy of prophetic faith and the challenge it poses to each generation. Prophetic individuals are called to be the catalysts of this transformation, actively engaging in political, social, and national affairs to bring about a world that mirrors the justice and righteousness of God.
Biblical Standards vs. Woke Ideology
In today's cultural landscape, "woke" ideology often promotes concepts that are at complete odds with biblical values. The Bible teaches absolute truths grounded in the character of God, emphasizing the sanctity of life, the importance of family, and the moral order established by divine commandments. Here are key areas where biblical standards contrast with modern ideological trends:
1. Sanctity of Life: The Bible affirms the sanctity of life from conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13-16). This stands against ideologies that promote abortion or euthanasia as acceptable practices.
2. Family and Marriage: Biblical principles define marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). This contrasts with ideologies that seek to redefine marriage and family structures.
3. Moral Absolutes: The Bible teaches clear moral absolutes, distinguishing right from wrong based on God's character and commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). In contrast, some modern ideologies promote moral relativism, where truth is subjective and individualistic.
4. Justice and Mercy: While the Bible calls for justice, it also emphasizes mercy, forgiveness, and redemption (Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7). This differs from ideologies that may prioritize retribution or cancel culture over forgiveness and reconciliation.
America's Founding Principles
America's founding principles are deeply rooted in biblical values and righteousness. The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. The founding fathers drew heavily from biblical teachings to establish a nation built on justice, liberty, and moral integrity.
1. Inalienable Rights: The concept of inalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—echoes biblical principles of human dignity and freedom granted by God (Galatians 5:1).
2. Rule of Law: America's legal system, based on the rule of law, reflects biblical concepts of justice and accountability (Romans 13:1-7). Laws were designed to protect the innocent and punish the wicked, ensuring a just society.
3. Moral Responsibility: The founding fathers believed in the importance of moral responsibility and virtuous leadership, principles drawn from biblical teachings (Proverbs 14:34).
Encouraging Prophetic Engagement
Prophetic individuals are uniquely positioned to influence political and social spheres profoundly. They carry a vision of God’s justice and righteousness that can challenge the status quo and inspire transformative change. Here are key areas where prophetic voices can make a significant impact, particularly in combating woke extremism and liberal ideology:
1. Advocating for the Marginalized: Prophetic voices must speak out for those who are oppressed and marginalized. Just as Moses stood before Pharaoh to demand freedom for the Israelites, modern prophets must confront unjust systems and advocate for the vulnerable in society. This includes standing against policies that harm the unborn, the elderly, and the disabled.
2. Promoting Traditional Family Values: Prophetic voices should champion the biblical definition of family and marriage. This involves opposing ideologies that seek to undermine these sacred institutions and advocating for policies that support family stability, parental rights, and the sanctity of marriage.
3. Defending Free Speech and Religious Liberty: In a culture where cancel culture and censorship threaten free expression, prophetic individuals must defend the right to speak truth and practice faith without fear of retribution. This includes opposing policies and movements that seek to silence dissenting voices and restrict religious freedoms.
4. Championing Justice and Mercy: While promoting justice, prophetic voices should also emphasize the importance of mercy, forgiveness, and redemption. This involves opposing punitive measures that lack compassion and advocating for restorative justice practices that align with biblical principles.
5. Influencing National Affairs: Prophetic individuals should engage with national issues that impact righteousness and justice. This includes participating in political processes, supporting legislation that aligns with divine principles, and holding leaders accountable to ethical standards. It also means opposing policies that promote moral relativism, gender confusion, and other forms of ideological extremism.
6. Fostering Community Transformation: Prophetic ministry is not limited to grand political movements; it also involves grassroots efforts to transform local communities. This can include initiatives to combat poverty, support education, and promote reconciliation among diverse groups. Prophetic voices should work to build communities where biblical values are lived out in practical ways.
7. Educating and Mobilizing Others: Prophetic voices have a responsibility to educate and mobilize others. By raising awareness about social and political issues, they can inspire collective action and empower communities to work towards justice and righteousness. This includes providing biblical perspectives on contemporary issues and equipping believers to engage thoughtfully and effectively in public discourse.
Voting Righteously
Voting is a sacred responsibility and a powerful tool to influence the direction of the nation. Prophetic voices must emphasize the importance of voting righteously, ensuring that our political leaders and policies align with biblical values. This includes:
1. Supporting Pro-Life Policies: Advocating for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and opposing any legislation that promotes abortion or euthanasia.
2. Upholding Traditional Family Values: Voting for policies that protect the biblical definition of marriage and family, and opposing any attempts to redefine these sacred institutions.
3. Defending Religious Liberty: Ensuring that laws protect the right to practice faith freely and oppose any form of censorship or cancel culture that seeks to silence religious expression.
4. Promoting Justice and Mercy: Supporting candidates and legislation that emphasize restorative justice, compassion, and mercy, in accordance with biblical principles.
Calling the Nation Back to Righteousness
Prophetic voices must boldly call the nation back to its biblical foundations, setting a standard against immoral laws that contradict the Bible. This involves:
1. Opposing Immoral Legislation: Actively resisting laws that promote practices contrary to biblical teachings, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender confusion.
2. Advocating for Righteous Legislation: Supporting laws that uphold biblical values, protect the sanctity of life, and promote justice and righteousness.
3. Educating the Public: Raising awareness about the moral implications of current and proposed legislation, and mobilizing communities to take action in alignment with biblical principles.
4. Engaging in Public Discourse: Participating in discussions and debates to articulate a biblical worldview, challenging the prevailing ideologies that undermine God’s truth.
Prophetic Engagement in National Affairs
Prophetic individuals have a crucial role in shaping the moral and spiritual direction of the nation. This involves:
1. Holding Leaders Accountable: Ensuring that political leaders adhere to ethical standards and biblical principles, and speaking out against corruption and injustice.
2. Influencing Policy: Engaging with policymakers to advocate for legislation that aligns with divine principles, and opposing policies that promote moral relativism and ideological extremism.
3. Building Coalitions: Collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify the impact of prophetic advocacy and create a united front for righteousness and justice.
Fostering Community Transformation
Prophetic ministry extends beyond national politics to grassroots efforts that transform local communities. This includes:
1. Combating Poverty: Initiating programs that address economic inequalities and provide support for those in need, in alignment with biblical teachings on justice and compassion.
2. Supporting Education: Advocating for educational systems that uphold moral integrity and provide holistic development for children and youth.
3. Promoting Reconciliation: Working towards healing and unity among diverse groups, fostering communities where biblical values are lived out in practical ways.
Educating and Mobilizing Others
Prophetic voices have a responsibility to educate and mobilize others, inspiring collective action towards justice and righteousness. This involves:
1. Raising Awareness: Informing communities about social and political issues from a biblical perspective, and highlighting the importance of aligning actions with divine principles.
2. Equipping Believers: Providing resources and training to help believers engage thoughtfully and effectively in public discourse and political processes.
3. Inspiring Collective Action: Encouraging communities to take unified action in support of biblical values, promoting a culture of righteousness and justice.
Conclusion
The call to prophetic engagement is a call to action. It is a call to rise above complacency, to speak truth to power, and to work tirelessly for a society that honors the divine vision of justice, compassion, and freedom. In this critical time, prophetic individuals must courageously confront the ideologies and policies that undermine biblical values, and lead the nation back to its righteous foundations.
Let us embrace this sacred responsibility, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. As we stand for truth and righteousness, we participate in the divine work of transforming societies and bringing about a world that reflects the justice, compassion, and freedom of God.