I recently encountered a striking observation in Charles Kingsley's sermon Abraham's Faith, based upon Hebrews 11:9–10 (𝘝𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴, published 1866). Kingsley warns of those in his own era conducting similar forums who, "most unwittingly open a door to all sorts of covetousness and meanness in the nations". 𝘜𝘯𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺, such forums also cause divisions in congregations.

The warning, coming from Kingsley, is significant. From Wikipedia: "Charles Kingsley (12 June 1819 – 23 January 1875) was an English clergyman, social reformer, historian, novelist and poet. A broad church priest of the Church of England, he is particularly associated with Christian socialism, Anti-Catholicism, the working men's college, and forming labor cooperatives, which failed, but encouraged later working reforms." If we could expect a favorable response to politics in church from anyone, Kingsley would be a prime candidate.

Yet, it is his word 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 which particularly caught my attention.

The danger is not necessarily that churches intend to become political institutions, but that they may gradually assume political functions without recognizing what they are doing.

Christians certainly have responsibilities as citizens. We should exercise discernment, examine political claims, and vote conscientiously. But does it follow that the Church, as an institution, seeking a better city not built with human hands, should provide a platform for political candidates with very different intentions?

This whole scenario plays out in a wider environment where there is theological confusion surrounding Christian Nationalism, particularly where the distinction between Christ's spiritual kingdom and the political interests of earthly nations becomes obscured.

The Church has been entrusted with the preaching of the Gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and the spiritual oversight of Christ's people. It's job description is one of making up a kingdom made up of disciples of Christ. Its calling is not to identify the political candidate who most closely represents Christian “values”, but to proclaim the Christ before whom every candidate, government, and nation must bow.

Abraham, we are told, looked for "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Abraham lived within the generations that followed Babel, when humanity's attempt to establish its own greatness stood in striking contrast to his faith in the city whose builder and maker is God.

Perhaps the question is not simply whether a political forum is conducted fairly, but whether it belongs to the Church's calling at all.