Worship and Idols | Political Idolatry
The actions of the past few months have demonstrated a true idolatry problem within the United States of America. Each side has shown themselves to remain so entangled in their sin of pride and idolatry, elevating an office far beyond where it can rightfully remain. The extreme right has elevated the presidency to the position of the hand of God. Their candidate can do no harm as claims of “King Cyrus” have been repeated throughout the last four years. Obvious flaws of egotistical and arrogant claims become ignored as those who blindly support him to the level of the hand of God, ignoring the flagrant espoused immorality and lack of fruit of the Spirit. Thus, when Trump failed to be reelected, the sovereignty of God had been assaulted as the worldview collapsed that four more years might not actually occur. A democrat in the White House could be nothing short of an assault on the goodness of God himself as the President represents and embodies God and bears the same infallibility of God. In short, idolatry.
Likewise, on the progressive left, the office of president is one where all power flows from. The right to life is given by the president who controls all things. He rules sovereign over every aspects of life and all things flow from His goodness. We have seen this by the control of healthcare, education, and various institutions, while maintaining a strict censorship of oppositional views. The value of human life is determined by this seat of highest power. Where once the government sought to protect the inalienable rights given by God, the government has stepped in to provide the inalienable rights given by God, a dangerous and idolatrous distinction. It should not matter if the candidate exhibits no evidence of a transformed life because they define the reality with which we live. Reality, facts, and design of creation should all bow before the President’s interpretation. Similar to the Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, the one in power is the embodiment of God Himself (though they would never say it) and thus for a Republican to be in the White House would be to deny god His rightful place to maintain social order. In short, idolatry.
In both cases, a man and an office has been elevated to the position of God. Neither are adequately able to bear the brunt of the burden that God alone can carry. When that happens, drunk with a taste of power and pride, mankind will fall. There is no circumstance in which sinful humanity can justly rule from a place of sovereignty while also upholding grace and justice simultaneously. Furthermore, if we read the above two paragraphs willing to call out the other side of the ideological problem but refuse to deal with the information on “our side” then we become just another notch in the problem rather than part of the solution. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5, ESV) Each of us must be willing to remove the log of idolatry and pride in our own eyes by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ on the throne and allow Him to rule and reign over every aspect. Christians must have a willingness to decry sin on both ends of the spectrum and reject the notion that any particular president presents a threat to the sovereignty of God. We do not bow to any king of earth but to the King of King who reigns victorious over all creation past, present, and forevermore.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
