The Gospel and the Public Square: Concerns About “Political” Preaching

The beauty of so many of our congregations is their diversity of perspectives among those who gather week to week in the pews. So, from time-to-time, it is not surprising that a pastor will receive feedback that some of their sermons are “too political.” Particularly in this season, I think it is important to address this openly, with honestly and humility, and share why I believe the Gospel compels us to engage with the pressing issues of our nation and world––not as partisans, but as followers of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel: Inherently Political, Not Partisan

The word “political” most often evokes images of parties, elections, and divisive rhetoric. In its truest sense, however, “politics” is much more about how we order our common life––how we treat one another, how we structure our communities, and how we respond to injustice. The Gospel, at its core, is deeply concerned with these questions.

When Jesus began his ministry, he stood in the synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18-19).

This is a political statement. Jesus announced his mission as one that would transform the lives of the marginalized, challenge systems of oppression, and bring about a new kind of kingdom––the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is not aligned with the Roman Empire or with the religious elite who upheld the status quo. God’s kingdom is deeply subversive, and it threatens those in power––past, present, and future.

When I preach, I do so from this framework: that the Gospel calls us to examine how our faith intersects with the realities of the world. This is not about endorsing a political party or ideology. It is always about proclaiming the good news that Jesus brought––a message that inevitably speaks to issues like poverty, justice, equality, and compassion. These are not “political” in the partisan sense, but they are political in that they challenge how we live together as God’s people.

Why People React to “Trigger Words” in Sermons

I understand that certain words––like “justice,” “racism,” “climate,” or privilege”––can feel loaded in today’s polarized culture. When these words are spoken in sermons, some might feel like the pulpit is being used to push an agenda rather than proclaim the Gospel. I gently invite all of us to take a step back and ask: Why do these words provoke such a strong reaction?

The reality is that these topics are deeply tied to our human experience. They touch on pain, history, and systems of power that affect all of us in different ways. Sometimes, when we hear these phrases, we are inclined to close our ears to the deeper message being preached that morning. We may even filter the sermon through the lens of our own political affiliations or personal assumptions, rather than through the lens of Christ’s call to love, serve, and seek justice.

Lutherans believe in the power of law and Gospel. The law convicts us and reveals to us the ways we fall short of God’s will. The Gospel, in turn, sets us free by announcing the grace of God that transforms our hearts and empowers us to live differently. When we hear a sermon on a difficult topic, it might feel a lot like “law”––a hard phrase that challenges us. But we are called to stay open, to wrestle with it, and allow the Spirit to work within us.

Jesus’ Life as a Political Act

Examining Jesus’ life and ministry we find it was not apolitical. His teachings, his healings, and his interactions with others were direct challenges to the systems of his day. Consider how he ate with sinners and tax collectors, crossing boundaries of purity and inclusion. How he healed on the Sabbath, defying religious authorities who valued rules over compassion. An how in one dramatic act, he overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple, protesting economic exploitation in that sacred space.

The crucifixion itself was a significant political event. Jesus was executed by the Roman Empire as a threat to their power. The sign above his head, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19), was meant to mock him, but it also revealed the truth: Jesus’ kingdom was a challenge to the earthly empire.

When rostered ministers preach about the life of Jesus, we cannot separate it from the political realities of his context. To do so would be to diminish the radical nature of his ministry and the cost of his call to discipleship.

The Call to Dialogue and Difficult Conversations

In our divided world, it is more important than ever for Christians to model a different way of being in community. We are called to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16)––to bring flavor, preservation, and illumination to a world in desperate need of hope. This means Christians must be open to engaging in difficult conversations, to listen to one another with humility, and to wrestle together with what it means to follow Jesus in the twenty-first century.

Sermons are meant to provoke thought, not to attack individuals or alienate. When I preach on challenging topics, my hope is not to make anyone feel personally targeted, but to invite all of us to ask: What does Jesus have to say about this? How does the Gospel call us to respond?

Our theology reminds us that we are simul Justus et peccator––at the same time both saint and sinner. None of us––including rostered ministers––has it all figured out. We are all in need of grace, and we are all learning what it means to live as God’s people. This means that our Lutheran heritage encourages us to approach these conversations with both humility and courage, trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work among us and within us.

Scripture as Our Guide

Where ever we turn to in Scripture, we see God’s concern for justice and mercy. In the Old Testament, the prophets cried out against oppression and exploitation: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Centuries later Jesus would echoed this call, emphasizing love of neighbor as the heart of the law (Matthew 22:39) and teaching us that whatever we do for “the least of these” we do for him (Matthew 25:40).

When rostered ministers address issues like poverty, racism, homophobia, transphobia, or environmental stewardship in sermons, we do so not because they are trendy or political, but because they are central to God’s heart as we find revealed in Scripture. These are Gospel issues––issues that matter deeply to God who created and redeemed the world.

An Invitation

To anyone who feels discomfort with sermons touch on challenging topics, know that I see you, and I hear you. I know from personal experience how it can feel unsettling when the pulpit addresses issues that are deeply personal or controversial. But I also want to encourage you to stay open––open to the Spirit’s movement, open to dialogue, and open to the possibility that God might be speaking to you in a new way.

To those who feel affirmed by these sermons, I want to say this: Thank you for your encouragement. But I also want you to resist the temptation to feel self-righteous or to dismiss those who struggle with these messages. We are all part of the body of Christ, and we need one another to grow in faith and understanding.

We are called to be the church together––a community that reflects the radical and inclusive love of Jesus bearing witness to the hope of the Gospel. This means engaging with the world’s pain, wrestling with hard questions, and seeking God’s will in all things.

Rooted in Grace

As Lutherans, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This grace frees us to live boldly and to love deeply. It frees us to confront the injustices of our world without fear, knowing that our hope is in Christ alone.

Friends, when I preach, I do so with the conviction that the Gospel speaks to every aspect of our lives––personal, communal, familial, and yes, even political. My prayer is always that our sermons and conversations will always point us back to Jesus, who calls us to love God and neighbor with our whole hearts.

Thank you for walking this journey of faith with me. May we continue to pray for one another, to listen to one another, and to seek Christ’s Kingdom together.  

In the heart of Jesus, Pastor Eric Randolph