How evangelicals in the Philippines are endangering the Gospel because of their constant political rhetoric
The intention of evangelical leaders in the Philippines to curb corruption and install “righteous leaders” is noble—but is this the way of the apostles? The Bible tells us that righteousness in government would only happen when Jesus returns to rule as King of all nations.
The political alliance of the clergy
Apologist John Macarthur said there can never be unity between Catholic Rome and true Christians unless they denounce their pagan tradition. In the Philippines, there seems to be a unison when it comes to who should be the president of the country.
The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), NCCP, and recently Christ Commission Fellowship (CCF), through the Christian Values Movement (CVM) in bipartisan politics, endangers the Gospel they preach.
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
1. It will get in the way of evangelism one way or the other
Generation Z is the least religious generation, according to Pew Research. More and more people are disinterested in the teachings of Jesus. To teach them “Christian moral values” under the pretext of bipartisan politics is an earthly aspiration—not spiritual.
Yes, We need Christians in the government and every sector of society if we are to influence the nation. However, if one is called to pastor a church—talking politics gets in the way of the Gospel mission.
To teach “Christian moral values” under the pretext of bipartisan politics is earthly aspiration.
POLITICAL TOLERANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Evangelicals in America endangered the Gospel
In the USA, influential Christian figures immersed themselves in bipartisan politics. Unbelievers criticized them for pushing religious faith into the government domain.
It did nothing to prevent demonic left-liberal ideology from devouring the country.
The price of evangelicals who pushed politics in the 1970s
In the early 1900s, atheists were challenged when the church insisted that the government adopt religious values. In the end, the constitution was weaponized.
Atheists permanently removed prayers in schools, legalize same-sex marriage, and instituted laws to discriminate against Christians. Satanic prayers found their way into city capitols, and “Satan clubs” sprouted, along with pornographic children’s books in schools.
Bipartisan politics cannot solve America’s decay
The end goal of the enemy is to remove the Bible, and the church is losing at what price?
After the pandemic, church membership rapidly declined without signs of recovery. Militant LGBTQ+ wage war against the nuclear family and indoctrinate children with their immorality in the name of “progressive politics.”
Clearly, Christian pastors meddling in politics cannot solve moral decay.
catastrophic end when the clergy insisted government Should adopt religious values.
Chinese Christians veer away from politics
In China, Christians do not have religious freedom. Instead of pastors telling them what their communist government should do.
They focused on discipleship because a soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2:4)
Today, Christianity continues to thrive in China, despite persecution.
2. Political discussion alienates and divides people
In 2022, Christ Commission Fellowship (CCF) senior pastor Peter Tan Chi said that Christians should discuss and be involved in politics.
He justified it by quoting Edmund Burke, who supposedly said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” which Burke never said. [Reuters]
“Shame on us, politics should be discussed… these are important topics. Many Christians are brainwashed into thinking politics is dirty; you don’t get involved; that is a lie. If you study church history, you can see how Christians who entered politics have transformed their nation.” [Work to make a difference]
It immediately empowered church members from CCF to criticize members who supported Marcos Jr., who they called “a thief.” Some pastors and pastors’ wives dove into the mire of a political debacle.
The ranting and shaming left a bad taste in the church because politics divide.
Christians in bipartisan
In 2022, bipartisan in CCF caused division, empowered by several pastors who show favor in the opposition.
- “BBM supporters” were mocked by “Robredo supporters” for their apparent ignorance.
- Some declared curses against those who voted for Marcos.
- A Pastor’s wife who openly supported Leni Robredo was criticized for her “self-righteous prayer.” She also claimed their prayers were being answered.
- Another CCF Pastor’s wife posted an insensitive joke about Marcos, angered CCF members.
Since 2016, Christians in CCF who support the “Yellow movement” have been “at war” with members who supported President Duterte.
The return of Marcos is a clear threat to them though the yellow they supported turned into a “Pink movement.”
The apostles taught never to accuse anyone, to be courteous, and avoid quarreling (Titus 3:2). Make it an ambition to lead a quiet life (1 Thessalonians 4:11), and don’t entangle yourself with civilian pursuits. (2 Timothy 2:3–4)
Jesus didn’t speak out on any political issue of His time.
POLITICIZATION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
3. It’s a disservice to the mission of the apostles
Several mission groups and devout Christians in the 18th and 19th centuries paved the way for social justice and reforms. To use them as an example to justify pastors involved in bipartisan politics is pride and folly.
“Nothing in His (Jesus) teachings gives even the slightest hint that He had any political involvement,” said apologist Don Stewart.
There is no example of Jesus or the apostles demanding changes from their evil government.
Instead, they preached submission to authority, even to unreasonable ones. They acknowledge that God instituted ALL human authorities. [Romans 13 Commentary]
Renowned apologist John MacArthur uses scriptures to point out sin and evil ideologies in every sector of society—but God’s solution is the Gospel, not politics, he said.
He also said that moral decline is a spiritual problem, not political, and its solution is the Gospel, not partisan politics.
“We would fight if the kingdom were of the world to make sure we got our space in the world. But this is not a kingdom that is part of this world; this is a kingdom of another world.” [MacArthur, “Our King will not be mocked,” 2021]
God’s solution is the Gospel, not politics.
CHURCH LEADERS POLITICIZE THE CHRISTIANS.
4. Christianity is not invincible in the Philippines
Even if churches like CCF continue to accelerate membership or PCEC members grow in church numbers, the country is facing a rapid moral decline, and “righteous politics” is never the answer.
South Korea in the 1980s was the beacon of spiritual revival. Today, churches lose young congregants who see religion as irrelevant.
The same pattern is evident in the Philippines as Catholic attendance declines. Born-again Christians may be growing in numbers, but the majority were once Catholics. [UCA]
For now, the country remains predominantly religious—but that number will not last long. Eventually, more liberal lawmakers who push anti-Biblical morals may be elected.
The only way to prevent a corrupt and liberal ideology in the government is with a spiritual revival—not political rallying using a public “prayer vigil” as an excuse.
Vowing for political change that amounted to nothing
- In 2018, CCF elders Pastor De Jesus, Felipe, and Christian Values Movement chairman J.P. Makasayan, among others, openly supported Chief Justice Sereno. Still, Sereno was “kicked out” by her fellow Supreme Court justices 6-8 vote.
- NCCP is heavily into social justice reforms and political rants. In 2019, they were unjustly labeled as a front for local communist terrorist groups by the Department of Defense.
- Despite countless prayer vigils and rallies mostly led by evangelicals—none of the Liberal opposition candidates won. NCCP, PCEC’s Bishop Pantoja, and some CCF leaders openly supported them in 2019.
- Likewise, presidential candidate Leni Robredo lost in 2022—despite visible support from evangelicals who were part of CCF and PCEC leadership.
- Two presidential aspirants, Duterte Sr., and Marcos Jr., won by a landslide in 2016 and 2022 despite efforts to disavow them from these evangelical groups.
The issue IS spiritual, and we deal with it with spiritual things.
