Published on October 1, 2024, 12:44 am

In an unexpected turn of events, Pastor Ray Ortlund from Immanuel Church in Nashville, who had built his reputation on fostering conservative values, has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for the presidency. A significant contributor to The Gospel Coalition, Ortlund had always been regarded as a typical “conservative” figure preaching traditional Christian beliefs. His recent declaration, showed through the tweet “Never Trump. This time Harris. Always Jesus” made public his association with left-wing ideologies.

Ortlund’s endorsement of Harris could be seen as support for progressive policies such as abortion rights and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools, which are associated with her platform. Critics argue these actions muddy the waters between his religious doctrine and his political inclinations that appear to counter traditional Christian values.

It is important to note that Russell Moore, another influential figure at Immanuel Church and former ERLC (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission) lead, has also been known for blending politics into religious discourse subtly. Critics also point out David French’s apparent endorsement of this paradigm shift reflected in his statement: “This is the way.”

Ortlund claims that his stand aligns with Christianity – “Always Jesus”. However, critics argue he merely affixes the label ‘Jesus’ unscrupulously to justify his support for what they describe as radical progressive policies without offering any tangible commitment towards specific issues like child protection from gender confusions or abortion.

The Immanuel pastor responds to accusations against him by reiterating how he consistently adheres to a ‘Jesus-focused’ worldview – a response many see as side-stepping real issues.

Concurrently there have been questions raised over Ortlund’s affiliation with The Gospel Coalition amidst its supposed tolerance for radical changes in cultural norms while touting Christian living principles.

Ortlund’s recent revelation might make some question whether their pastors are truly upholding religious sanctity while seemingly toeing partisan lines politically. It raises concerns about the potential consequences on family structure, moral authority, and how these policy endorsements—from those looked upon as faith leaders—could affect their congregations.

In light of these occurences, some caution is indeed necessary when embracing the Real News purported by media. However, a balanced perspective dependant on critically evaluating what constitutes Trusted News in line with one’s Christian Worldview becomes increasingly important during such times.

It remains to be seen what impact Ortlund’s stance will have both within his church community and the wider Christian society.