David Platt Says Political Convictions like ‘Anti-Abortion’ are Idolatry
Two years ago, David Platt gave an earnestly couched ultimatum to church members who were upset and contemplating breaking fellowship with other congregants who were promoting, working for, or voting for the pro-baby-killing Democratic party: maybe you should leave.
Platt stressed the importance of the church’s unity, saying that peoples’ eternity is dependent on seeing unity in the church, which is why “We exalt Jesus by not letting tension and division from politics creep into the church.” He unironically says that the church must “take evil seriously and avoid it. I see temptations in an election to treat evil lightly, to minimize, overlook, cover-over or even engage in it,” and then explains to members:
Do not divide the church over political positions, convictions, or calculations that are not clear and direct in God’s word… We will not tell people to vote for this candidate or that party…I fear calling you to do something that I can not show you clearly and directly in God’s word he has called you to do…
I have full confidence calling you to oppose abortion and to defend the lives of children in the womb because God makes his work in the womb clear in Psalm 139. You cannot follow Jesus as a member of this church and advocate for abortion.
I have full confidence to call you to promote a biblical understanding of sexuality and marriage because God makes his definitions of male and female and marriage clear in Genesis 1 and 2 and throughout the rest of the bible. You cannot follow Jesus as a member of this church and disregard God’s word in these ways.…So then how do you vote? For this candidate? For that candidate? For third candidate? For no candidate? And I don’t have a verse that answers that question for you. Different, genuine followers of Jesus will therefore come to different conclusions on the answer to that question. And assuming you are applying God’s word as prayerfully and as wisely and as faithfully as you know how to your political decision, then we will not break fellowship in Christ over that decision.
Now as soon as I saw that, I realize some people think we should break fellowship in Christ over the vote. Some people think, ‘I cannot be in the same church with someone who votes for Biden.’ Other people think, ‘I cannot be in the same church with someone who votes for Trump.’
And if you think either of these things, and I say this as thoughtfully and compassionately as I know how, Mclean Bible Church may not be the right church for you. Because we are not going to divide over the vote here. And if you think we should, if you think I or other pastors in this church should promote a political candidate or party, and you think this is worth dividing the church over, then I’m sincerely sad about that, because I treasure our fellowship together in Jesus, but at the same time I’m truly happy for you to be in another church as long as that church is preaching the gospel.
Platt offered that people in his church are allowed and encouraged to have strong political views and share them, explaining:
Individually we will all steward our vote and our voice according to our convictions, as men and women who are accountable to God and his word. And some of us will even campaign or work for political parties, or candidates according to our convictions, which is right and good. But let us be clear about the banner that brings us together as a church.
That was two years ago. In a recent conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, Platt reiterates his insistence that we do not engage in the idolatry of personal and political conviction, which he describes as “elevating those things above Jesus and that which is most clear and direct in his word.” He references the aforementioned sermon:
So as an example, there was one Sunday in late 2020, when I said we as a church are not going to divide over who you vote for in this election. If you think we should divide over that, then this is probably not the best church for you and we would encourage you to be in a bible-believing. In gospel, preaching church, that shares that conviction.
..So here’s what’s behind that. I’ve got three buckets in my mind. The first bucket being the gospel- that which is clear and direct in God’s word that all Christians, followers of Jesus hold on to. Then I’ve got a second bucket in my mind that brings us together in local churches. And I realized there’s different Christians who have different convictions about baptism than I do, or church leadership or church government than I do.
…And then third bucket issues would be issues where we agree to disagree, even in the church. And so, we said, we’re putting how you vote in an election, in a presidential election in the third bucket. And if you think it should be in the second nugget- and I actually thought that, I genuinely thought that was not a controversial statement to say that this is way down.And there were people who passionately disagreed about that third bucket in our church, and they stayed in our church. There were some who said, ‘okay, I’m going to be somewhere else.’ But I just, I don’t think it’s wise, biblical for us to elevate how you vote in a presidential election to the level of the substitutionary, atonement of Jesus.
…So that would be an example of where I think we have idolized some of those convictions.
Platt’s position, of course, is terminal because he sees evil as a political issue, rather than a moral one. He states, “You cannot follow Jesus as a member of this church and advocate for abortion.” Yet, apparently you can promote, campaign for, vote for, and ostensibly run for office for the party that does all it can to advocate for, protect, expand, entrench, and promote it.
He says you can’t follow Jesus as a member of his church and advocate for abortion. Still, you can do all you can as a member of his church to see the party that wants to paint the town red with the slurry of chopped-up baby viscera emerge victorious and win the House, Senate, and Presidency, and then enact a rule of terror for the unborn that will be unmatched in the history of the country.
Mclean Bible Church won’t say anything about it or condemn it as long as the Democrat-promoter is “personally pro-life.
In fact, you could promote a party that openly calls for the enslavement of black people and reinstates the notion of persons of color as the property of white folk, and the elders of Platt’s church would support that, letting you wallow in the tension.
After all, that’s just a political, tertiary church issue, and black folk should not desire to leave the church simply because their pastor or woship leader or kid’s leader three rows back and one seat left plans to vote for the party that wants to see them back in chains. Right?
By calling it ‘Idolatry’ he’s saying that if you as a fellow member don’t want to fellowship with that man or woman seeking to achieve this foul and polluted end – the one voting for the party of scrambled baby skulls or lynching black folk, then you’re part of the problem, the meddler and troubler seeking to cause disunity, and you can feel free to leave.
h/t The Dissenter
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I appreciate Dissenter’s argument, but the problem now, with present elections, is that both parties disregard God’s Word as it relates to sexuality and marriage. Since the last presidential election, the republican party has officially embraced and endorsed abominable sin.
Dissenter’s reasoning is correct in that voting for a candidate or party is to endorse what they stand for. And if we cannot endorse what they stand for, then we cannot vote for them. But where that reasoning leads, at this point, is that we probably shouldn’t vote at all, or if we do vote, we should be extremely selective who we vote for – i.e., someone who we are certain genuinely, honestly, and truly defies their own party as it relates to that which we cannot endorse.
The logic doesn’t lead you to voting for the lesser of evils. To do that, you have to vote for evils.
And that’s where we’re at. That’s reality. I know some don’t want to hear it, but it’s the truth.
This comment will stir up a hornets’ nest.
I’ve been saying this for a while. I keep returning to the fact that this world is not our home; per Peter, we’re exiles awaiting our return home. This has brought me a lot of peace, despite others being enraged by the idea.
Yep, both sides will get angry, and angrier the closer we are to election time, but it’s the truth. It has only been recently that the republican party started supporting homosexuality, so-called “gay marriage,” and transvestism for all but children. In prior elections and years, I thought it could be salvaged, and that we could turn the tide, but the past few years have proven that is not going to happen. Things are getting worse, not just here but worldwide, and they are going to continue to get worse until the Lord returns. At the rate things are going, that day is likely close at hand.
“The lesser of two evils” is not literal (although there are times when it certainly is literal). And yes, the state of politics and political parties is disheartening. But that still does not mean we do not vote. Either way (voting or not), there are still many things we can do, particularly in the Church (as well as outside). There is a war going on, literally, of leftism/Woke-ism against all of humanity (not just against God and biblical Christians), and there are many things we can do in this war.
Lastly, when John Quincy Adams was questioned about fighting to abolish slavery, at a time when it was clear this would not happen in Adams’ lifetime, he responded: “Duty is ours. Results are Gods.” (cp. Prov 21:31)
-voting is not mandated in the bible since the state does not demand that we vote.
-It would be ok if christians didn’t vote.
-it is fine to spend the time in prayer and reading God’s active word instead of trying to live out the fantasy that the next elected will be better. God controls it ateotd
So we shouldn’t get involved in what greatly impacts the ideas, values, policies, laws, and freedoms (or lack thereof) which greatly impacts our neighbors, our family, our friends, the Church, and the unsaved?
I’m sorry, but an individual who calls themself a Christian yet advocates for the slaughter of unborn children and/or same-sex marriage is double-minded, having an anti-Christ spirit. This individual is leaven to the Body and should be rejected, but prayed for.
Yes, we all agree (i.e. biblical Christians) that Jesus is supreme, and nothing should be more important. And we all *should* agree that there a many values and truths that should necessarily flow from this, such as the sanctity of life, the gospel, defending the faith, seeking to turn others from sin and error so that we might “save a soul from death” (James 5:19-20), etc.
Yet Woke/left/deceived and world-appeasing individuals who claim Christ will *falsely accuse* others of “idolizing” what Jesus calls us to do. They will demonize and try to shame them into not living out their biblical faith, largely through this slander and reviling of the saints. To do this is not merely wrong, it is evil.
In addition, because they are so blinded, they will also indirectly or directly promote or protect leftist/Woke politics — and thereby cause division, strife, harm, resentment, etc — all while simultaneously demanding that others not talk about politics.
There is a difference between the “two evils.” One of those evils wants to eradicate biblical Christianity. For now, the other pretends to support biblical Christianity, so they can get their votes. As churches move toward the wide gate, there will be no need for the majority of Republicans candidates to pander to true believers.
Which, in many ways, is an example of why and how lukewarm is worse than cold. But if there is anything good about any of the mess, it is that the chaff is raising its ugly head. For now it’s tossed up into the air along side the wheat. But soon, God will send the wind.
I don’t see a problem in anything that Platt said then or now. People that think the choice is always going to be between evil and not-evil are stuck in the current moment. Platt is giving a much more Biblical and wise view that will last for more than 4 years. Imagine if Robert Kennedy gets the Democratic nomination and gay-loving Trump gets the Republican one. Now which one is the evil choice and which one the not-evil? And it has been way more muddied than that in the not-to-distant past.
Platt correctly said that the church stands against abortion and the perversion of sexuality. So when you have a pro-gay candidate like Trump, how can you advocate for him as a church if the church doesn’t support sexual perversion? Would it be okay to support a candidate that had it flipped (anti-gay, pro abortion)? This is why he says that your vote is a tertiary issue. But if you personally are pro-sexual revolution and pro-abortion, those things by themselves should be in the second bucket, and I’m sure Platt would agree.
I’m not sure if this is what you are saying, but one common error is to say or imply something like: “Well, candidate A is clearly wrong and unbiblical in X, Y, and Z, so how can Christians vote for him?!” While these issues (e.g. voting; politics) can be very nuanced, some things are fairly easy and clear, particularly when it comes to voting.
Just because Trump is highly flawed, and insufferable in many ways, and I wish there were another candidate(s) that is better (perhaps there will be), it may be him vs Biden, Harris, Clinton, or any similar person. So then it would be a vote for a quasi-Christian, quasi-narcissist, who is foolish in many ways (and very good in others) vs fully Woke, totalitarians who are seeking to force flagrant anti-Christian, anti-American constructs (Marxism; tyranny; sexual perversion; etc) who hate and abhor biblical Christianity and are zealously seeking to subvert biblical and Judeo-Christian values. So, from what I understand Platt (and others like him) to be saying is foolish, and a large part of the reason we are in the mess we find ourselves today.
Which begs the question. Which is worse, to willingly and knowingly check a box that endorses and advocates for abominable sin, or to refuse to do so knowing they will continue to force it on you? From an eternal standpoint, the latter is unquestionably the right choice. It may be a miserable slog trying to survive. They will try to target and destroy you, possibly even unto death, but you will not lose your soul.
I twice checked the box beside Trump/Pence, as a matter of voting for the Republican platform, which at that time had not officially embraced and endorsed abominable sin, much less the imposition thereof. But the difference then was that Trump was personally at odds with the Republican platform.
Of course, that begs a further question. Why give away your soul, when your vote doesn’t even matter much to begin with? What we all saw just as clear as day, is that our votes don’t count for much at the federal level, in the first place. The entrenched establishment, permanent bureaucracy, intel apparatus, etc. calls the shots, and will not only defy any elected representatives who don’t toe that line, but will try to target and destroy them.
Prior to 2008, there were many democrats who did very similar. They checked the box beside Obama/Biden, only to later have them “evolve” on that issue, to turn a complete 180 degrees, push the homosexual agenda, target and try to destroy anybody who rejected so-called “gay marriage”, and even targeting entire states where the people voted against it.
2020 was the first election where anybody, on either side, actually endorsed and approved of abominable sin. And 2024 will be the first election where nobody, on either side, has as a choice in the matter.
How are you going to willingly vote for it with the pretext of voting against it’s forced imposition? There would be no need to try to force it on you if you’ve already willingly accepted it. And there would be very little way to argue against it’s imposition, when you already willingly endorsed it.
As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with it. I’m not going to check a box endorsing abominable sin. For me it’s an easy choice. I’m already destroyed. I don’t have much left to lose. For others, it’s not such an easy choice. But one thing is certain: come judgment day, we will be made to give account.
Voting still matters, at least between us and God. However, apart from the 2nd Tuesday in November, every 2 and 4 years (and some stuff in between) there are innumerable things we can and should do. This includes pouring our heart out and living our life for God’s Word of truth, to be salt and light, to expose, not just openly false teachers in the Church, but weak ones, compromising ones, and those who seek the approval of the world. Somewhat pertinently, Platt falls into this “needs to be exposed” category. Largely because of weak Church leaders, especially the popular ones … those who write trendy books, the Church has lost so much of its impact on the world.
I’m not going to vote or stump for any candidate or party that endorses abominable sin, which at this point includes both democrats and republicans. My nay is nay. It’s not going to happen.
Pratt does fail, but unfortunately Reformation Charlotte also failed by ignoring the homosexuality and transvestism issues. Usually he’s spot on, but this time I believe he let politics get the better of him. By his own logic, which is actually correct (i.e., a vote is to give one’s endorsement on the issues), he shouldn’t vote for either democrats or republicans. If that’s your reasoning, then you can’t vote for either party in good conscience.
To be clear, I am not talking about stumping for any candidate, I am talking about pouring our time and effort (especially if we are in ministry) to equipping ourselves and the saints regarding all that is happening today (in addition to equipping them in everything else). We can also look at how to impact our local communities, through the church and local government type entities (school boards; city counsel; etc). There is so much we do not control, but we can focus all that we do on the people around us.
Until Christians start their own political party and run honest and ethical candidates do not expect to see Christian politicians or see them support everything Christian.
With that said, the democrats are openly supporting evil, calling it good, and working to ruin people’s lives. No Christian should feel comfortable voting for their candidates.
Some sins ARE worse than others. Murder is destroying an image bearer. Therefore, murder ought to be opposed as strongly as possible. Abortion is murder.