ATSS: Loren Seibold & Jonathan Butler, “Can Adventists Talk About Politics?”
4 July 2024 |
There is a cardinal rule for Adventist pastors: never mention politics. Ever.
This presents a difficulty: political matters and religion heavily overlap. It was true in New Testament times, and it is still true today.
The Bible is our source for Christian ethics. To woo voters, some matters of Christian ethics have been taken up by politicians. Each time a subject gets coopted by politicians, it gets pushed out of the pulpit.
Jesus struggled with the relationship between God and the world we live in. Many thinkers since have, too—notably, Richard Niebuhr in his pivotal book Christ and Culture.
While Adventist pastors can’t mention politics, in the evangelical world, the situation is very different. There, religion has been swallowed by politics (or vice versa) such that there is little space between them. This has been explored at length by evangelicals such as Tim Alberta and Christianity Today editor Russell Moore. Moore goes so far as to say that evangelicalism is no longer evangelical: it has lost its ability to give the good news for everyone.
Can we Adventists talk about politics? Should we? If so, how?
Some Adventists write off the whole enterprise. One church leader says we shouldn’t judge any political leader; God is in charge of history, so we can leave it up to God. If so, how can we vote intelligently? Or should we vote at all? Other Adventists say that the only legitimate political interest we can have is in Sunday Laws. Is that the only place where we can be thoughtful citizens?
In this Adventist Today Sabbath Seminar, Loren Seibold and Jonathan Butler will discuss the problem of politics for Christians. Is there a constructive way for churched people to approach this divisive topic?
Teacher:
Loren Seibold is a retired pastor and Executive Editor of Adventist Today.
Jonathan Butler lives in Riverside, California, where he has taught religion and history at the high school and college level. He has also published two books and many articles on Adventist history. He and his wife, Marianne, have two daughters, four grandchildren, and a chihuahua.
Moderator:
Gerald Lofthouse is a retired physician, who likes restoring classic cars. In his retirement, he also works with hospice patients.
How to join:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84953421063
Passcode: ADVENTIST
ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM. Times in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere will vary with local time changes. Please double-check the correct time where you live.
The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM (Eastern time).
About our class:
- The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum.
- Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
- Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
- Keep your microphones muted unless you are called upon to make your comment or ask your question.
- Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand.
- Please use your name when you sign in, so we know who we’re addressing.
We look forward to getting acquainted with you!
YouTube channel:
You can see all of our previous ATSS recordings here.