Here in the Peach State which is not even one of the swing or battleground states this election is like no other in some ways.
We’ve got the candidate from Q-Anon, or that’s what her opponents say. We’ve got the Hezbollah candidate, or at least that’s what a friend from the middle east said when he saw the candidate’s signs. Seems the guy owns a very successful gun store and has a silhouette of an AR-15 or some similar menacing weapon. Second amendment guy, I guess. And then we’ve got the candidate who brags about being “to the right of Atilla the Hun (he who “slew monks and maidens in great numbers”). Never knew that was something to brag about .
But we’re talking politics here where no metaphor is off limits.
I confess that back in the day (when Clinton was running) I strayed homiletically into politics as if my congregations were ignorant and were waiting for a secular word from the sacred desk from their beloved senior(and only) pastor.
I’m reading that this election will determine the course of Western Civilization.
Eh? Do I see Winged Hussars charging out of the trees at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 to halt the Ottoman advance into Europe? Maybe Charles Martel will make an appearance at one of Trump’s rallies to share how he stopped the Umayyad hordes in 732.
We’re in, I’m breathlessly told, a “battle for the very soul of America.”
Zat so? I sort of thought that the recent unpleasantness of 1861-1865 locked in that description, what with 620,000 casualties of war, all Americans and the issue of all issues for our country – the enslavement of other humans.
Is your congregation treated to a month of angry philippics, tonsil throbbing political harangues on the outrage du Jour from their humble shepherd? Any chance of some lost soul actually hearing the Gospel this month, or are you too busy saving America and Western Civilization to be troubled by One. Lost. Soul?
I don’t have any good sermons on economics, do you? I don’t even have any bad sermons on economics. You’ve got a stemwinder on socialism, or capitalism? Had a guy bring me a book on biblical economics one Sunday. Great big heavy thing. I don’t trust any economists, especially ones that find ways to squeeze out hefty tomes from ancient writings.
Here’s my bottom line these days:
- The Word of God is living and active and powerful. Stick with that pre- and post-election. You’ll have it all covered.
- The Gospel is our charge, not the latest public policy outrage.
- I’m a happy guy. I’ll be happy on November 3rd, election day. I’ll be happy on November 4th or whenever the election is settled. I’m not going to spend the rest of my life whining or griping about this or any other election.
But, after you check out our candidates from Q-Anon, Hezbollah, and Atilla be sure and look at the Democrats. They’re even worse.
Preach the Word! In election season and out of season, if we ever get out of it.
