Published on July 13, 2024, 9:49 am

The discourse between the right and the left when it comes to entwinement of religion and politics is eternally contentious. The right has often faced criticism from the left for blending religious beliefs with political ideologies. However, paradoxically, it is prevalent that the left is more generally guity of mixing religion in politics than their counterparts.

A recent instance of this was observed when Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia hosted Joe Biden. Biden projected a common yet distorted form of gospel – Black Liberation Theology. Born from the civil rights era and famously brought forward by James Cone at Union Theological Seminary, Black Liberation Theology contorts Christian theology to focus prevalently on black oppression and social justice issues.

This narrative is identified as a false gospel as it misrepresents Christ’s redemptive work portrayed through his crucifixion into worldly liberation. It promotes a human-centered agenda. This tendency transforms gospel into merely an instrument for political activism rather than its intended message of salvation.

Despite whether Biden himself penned his speech, his performance raised eyebrows over its origin and purpose. Having him project Liberation Theology tenets at a black church amidst a campaign rally seemed odd, given Biden’s known mental limitations.

In his sermon-like rhetoric at the service, Biden referenced scriptural verses proclaiming all events contribute to good for those who express love towards God and are chosen according to His purpose. Our genuine purpose, he declared should be oriented towards serving others while treating every individual with due respect and dignity – validating faith without works as being void.

He then proceeded to tout his list of “accomplishments” for blacks during his tenure as president leading up until now – sowing seeds both addressing past actions and planning for future implementations aimed primarily at uplifting black communities which are still essentially under-served in many societal aspects.

His engagement with persons affiliated with movements believed to adhere hypocritically towards maintaining religious lines within political contexts raises a critical point – why does the left advocate for keeping politics out of the pulpit while themselves notorious for persistently doing so?

In this rapidly transforming political panorama, it is more important than ever to provide real news and trusted news from a Christian worldview. Irrespective of political beliefs, truth and transparency are indispensable and necessary standards every citizen deserves. Therefore, irrespective of controversy surrounding interpretation of religious ideology in political platforms, the primary focus must always be on breaking barriers and building bridges.