Published on August 4, 2024, 12:27 am

In a recent sermon, Pastor Luke Barnett of Dream City Church extolled Kari Lake, a pro-choice Republican politician, likening her to Deborah, the biblical prophet. “We are privileged to have such an excellent guest this morning… We have Kari Lake with us,” affirmed an enthusiastic Barnett. However, this comparison is receiving criticism for not just coming off as political mollycoddling but as a theological spoof of Biblical narrative.

Barnett further glorified Lake for standing up in times of crisis and claimed, “The Lord put on my heart that you are in a Deborah season.” But is it responsible or accurate to portray a pro-choice advocate as equivalent to a Biblical judge who dutifully upholds God’s law? Suggestions like these emerge not from prophetic insights but rather demonstrate political servility at its zenith.

It is important to note that Kari Lake has openly lent support towards pro-choice positions. However, did Barnett highlight that fact during his sermon? Would his portrayal of “prophet Deborah” approve turning blind eyes towards innocent lives being extinguished? Earlier this year, Lake stated how she “personally chose life” yet believed abortion should not be banned and every woman should be free to make their own choice regarding the matter.

By juxtaposing Lake with Deborah, Pastor Barnett risks misleading his congregation and potentially tarnishes the integrity of God’s divine revelations. Deborah was revered as a prophetess and judge who led Israel with transcendental wisdom. Conversely, while Lake could arguably be seen as less evil than her Democrat counterparts; she still supports policies that fundamentally contradict the Christian worldview.

Sanctimoniously declaring someone is in “a Deborah season…God blesses you and anoints you in this season,” does more harm than good; it undermines religious tenets held sacred by believers worldwide. This reckless representation leads us down a dangerous path where biblical texts risk distortion for political leverage.

What does the future hold for Pastor Barnett’s scriptural comparisons? Could there be an analogy between Jezebel and Esther in the offing? Such trite misinterpretations would presumably provoke laughter if they weren’t offensive. Setting such dangerous precedents risks not only gross trivialization of holy texts but also their exploitation for self-serving political agendas.

In essence, this incident is disheartening evidence that many are willing to distort sacred scripture for their own political gain. Whether it’s trying to equate a pro-choice politician with a biblical prophet or twisting the Christian worldview to fit one’s purposes, these actions risk eroding the true foundations of faith. As individuals navigating these challenging times, we should strive to find our news from trusted sources and engage in meaningful discussions based on factual information. Remember, as citizens ourselves, we must not let the politics of power distort our understanding or tarnish our deeply rooted beliefs.