When did pastors stop speaking to or calling out government leaders? Throughout the history of the Old and New Testaments, prophets and apostles called out their government leaders. Moses stood up to Pharaoh. Elijah stood up to King Ahab. Nathan spoke directly to King David. John the Baptist called King Herod to repentance.

Martin Luther and the Lutheran reformers opposed their princes and emperor when they were wrong. The history of the Lutheran Church is filled with spiritual leaders speaking out to political leaders. So why aren’t most clergy today speaking out for truth and justice? Some will claim that pastors should never discuss politics. But the truth is never political.

Where are the John the Baptists of today?