Politics in the Pulpit: How an Ancient Preacher Can Guide Us Through Modern Political Crisis

Our nation is becoming ever more politicized. Everything from the environment to human gender have become political issues. While the old sentiment of not preaching politics from the pulpit may have once been good advice, it is increasingly more difficult not to. The problem preachers have is knowing how to wade through political issues without becoming a political pundit. A preacher can end up either merely repeating party talking points, or retreating into avoiding biblical topics to avoid dealing with political hot button issues. Thankfully, our age is not the only one to have ever suffered political crises and we can learn from the preachers of the past. One such preacher was John Chrysostom. He was not just a preacher, but also a man steeped in a sensitive political climate. Through the work of a dedicated sermon series, Chrysostom was able to calm tensions in a city who had rioted and destroyed statues of the emperor. These Homilies on the Statues proved to be a pivotal and powerful example of political preaching. By examining the homiletical methods of John Chrysostom's Homilies on the Statues we can learn how to responsibly and powerfully engaging political topics in our own day.

Eric Ayala is a pastor, healthcare chaplain, and seminary professor. He earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Anderson University. He holds professional certifications in spiritual care, palliative care, and end-of-life support. He has also served in homelessness recovery ministry, spiritual counseling, traumatic crisis support, and ethics committees for healthcare organizations. He is married and has five children. He enjoys music, engaging conversation, and good food.