A dangerous path in politics Catholic priests and Evangelicals are taking to prevent moral decay
Premise: The world’s best-governed societies are the most decadent
Christianity is practically dead in Europe and is dying in the West, evident in the rapid decline of church membership. Despite having a “first-world” government—amorality is everywhere. Evidently, good governance does not prevent moral decay because of man’s sinful nature.
The Filipino clergy politicize the Gospel to help prevent moral decay
Since the 1970s, Cardinal Jaime Sin held the Marcos government accountable. From the Yellow Revolution of 1986 to the present, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and evangelicals banded on political activism—just as evangelical leaders in America do.
Good governance cannot prevent moral decay.
CBCP, NCCP, and PCEC’s divided mission
In 2022, the imminent return of the Marcos family seemed to have pushed the most prominent evangelical church in the country, Christ Commission Fellowship (CCF), to launch the Christian Values Movement (CVM) together with the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC).
Apparently, the separation of church and state in the Philippines has remained nonexistent since Spain colonized the country, and the Marcos-Duterte tandem is the exception to the rule.
With their mission to evangelize the nation, resources are clearly divided, as well as its members.
In 2005, the Vatican pressured CBCP to refrain from politicking and remain neutral. It was creating a bad testimony. Perhaps the papacy takes the separation of church and state seriously. [Wikileaks]
Communism in the Philippines
In 2019, NCCP was unfairly tagged as a communist terrorist front by the Department of Defense, perhaps because of their constant heavy criticism of government policies under the Duterte administration.
In Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s first term, the emergence of the MNLF in 1968 and the founding of the Maoist-inspired CCP and NPA in 1969 was a challenge he took with an iron fist.
However, the communist population grew significantly under Cory Aquino’s administration, partly due to her more lenient approach towards Joma Sison.
Most of the Filipino evangelical leaders are notably anti-Marcos, evident in their criticism and support of Aquino’s political party affiliates.
POLITICIZATION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
What church leaders in the Philippines are doing can lead to a divided Christianity—just as evangelicals did in the USA
For decades, well-meaning evangelical leaders in America did their best to prevent the country’s moral decline—but it did little. Worst, it triggered militant atheists to fight back.
Today, these atheists are fighting a war against Christians who, for decades, pushed political reforms and an “intolerant self-righteous demeanor.” Naturally, they see it as an attack on their liberty. Here are examples:
- Prayers were banned in public schools after Christians forced them on students in the 1900s. [Murray v. Curlett]
- For decades, some pulpits were used to condemn homosexuality and fornication instead of the transforming power of Christ. As a result, many saw Christians as enemies. They brought the issue to the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage and abortion. [SPLC]
- The rise of priests and pastors caught in sexual scandals and embezzlement leaves a bad taste for unbelievers to know Christ. [Superstar pastors]
- Evangelicals pushed political candidates that divided Christian voters and contributed to declining church membership. [Guardian]
- The reversal of Roe vs. Wade created more hatred against evangelicals, whose seen as the people responsible for suppressing women’s constitutional rights. The reversal is a political victory because it did not completely outlaw abortion. [Guardian; Intercept; LA Times]
The “anti-God strategy”: Divide the mission
The enemy wants the church divided. After same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015, hell broke loose, and evangelicals were caught at the center of social activism.
- Transgenderism is now openly celebrated in “woke Christian churches” and public schools. [Drag Queen Story Hour]
- Adultery is justified as mere entanglement. Soft porn is taught in schools, and gender equality is enforced through bathroom sharing and using ridiculous gender pronouns.
The reputation of evangelicals in America after muddling themselves in bipartisan politics
- A divide between the pulpit and the pew is roiling the evangelical church. [NPR News]
- The movement spent 40 years at war with secular America. Now it’s at war with itself. [Atlantic]
- Evangelicalism is due to a hundred-year schism. [CT]
- Political and social issues are splintering American Christians. [WNG]
- The ‘heartbreaking’ political rift within evangelicalism. [WBUR]
- Divisions Among U.S. Evangelicals. [New York Times]
DEMOCRAT’S EQUALITY ACT LEGITIMIZES IMMORALITY.
The heart of the issue
Apologist John MacArthur goes to the heart of the issue: Moral decline is a spiritual problem, and God’s solution is not partisan politics but the Gospel. All authorities that exist were established by God (Romans 13).
If God wanted a righteous president or monarch installed, He would change the people’s hearts. That time will come when Jesus returns. Meantime, preachers are tasked to focus on the mission, not divide their time to push for a candidate or political reforms.
Atheists cannot be won with politics but by intentional discipleship, peaceable testimony, and ultimately grace. But all these are being compromised because politics has divided the church.
Moral decline is a spiritual problem.
The fate of the Philippines in the hands of church leaders
For decades the liberal opposition and the clergy worked hard to prevent a Marcos presidency. Despite their efforts, their scions Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte won by a landslide. It appears that God is sending a strong message.
