Even if a clergy person doesn't intend to be prophetic, if they are simply being faithful right now, Jesus’ and other Hebrew prophets’ words can't be contained - and may seem like a political attack to those aligned with or supportive of Trumpism.
Jesus -- and the Bible more generally -- say a lot of stuff that sounds political. About poverty, immigrants, outsiders, notions of ethnic superiority. About compassion and hospitality and justice.
Jesus -- and the Bible more generally -- say a lot of stuff that sounds political. About poverty, immigrants, outsiders, notions of ethnic superiority. About compassion and hospitality and justice.
Years ago, you could preach on any of these passages and people wouldn't like such sermons, but they didn't take them personally. They often simply chose to ignore them.
But now? They get downright angry.
In this time of Trump, the words the Bible contains about justice have reclaimed their power. They sound like they were intended to sound; a forceful critique of exploitative, oppressive and corrupted politics.
And even if a clergy person doesn't intend to be prophetic, if they are simply being faithful right now, Jesus’ and other Hebrew prophets’ words can't be contained - and may seem like a political attack to those aligned with or supportive of Trumpism.
I personally know a half dozen clergy who have lost their jobs over a sermon preached or a prayer prayed -- one that was interpreted as an attack on Trump or thought to "divide" a congregation. And I know countless more who have been instructed by bishops, supervisors, senior clergy, or church boards to preach and pray on NOTHING that could even be construed as vaguely political.
Most of this is to placate conservative donors to religious organizations. But some is to protect the clergy.
The full article is available here
