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Christians, We Must Stop Our Partisan Politics!

Dear Reverend Franklin Graham and Pastor Robert Jeffress (and many of us Christians),

I see that you love Jesus, but I’m concerned about your apparent love of partisan politics.  Please stop promoting the President and endorsing the Republican party, but choose instead to focus on promoting Jesus and endorsing His Word.  Love on and pray for both parties and endorse neither.  Each partisan political statement you make diminishes and dampens your Gospel reach and impact.  True and lasting change is not found in the power or influence of a politician or a party.  Gospel power transforms in ways that governments never can, so please stop compromising and limiting your Christian witness.  You can better use your platform to speak biblical truth and to show Jesus’ love across party lines if you communicate in a non-partisan manner.
  • Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (ESV)
Stop Politicking.  Most of us have gotten sucked into the drama of politics.  We need to be more biblical and less political.  I write this openly and publicly, because the message is not only to you, but for me and for every pastor.  This advice is not just for us pastors, but for all of us who identify as followers of Jesus.  Our partisan political involvement is having a negative gospel impact.  People are not hearing our spiritual Good News because they are deafened and distracted by the political news we are promoting with a self-righteous spirit.  Martin Lloyd-Jones explained it well that “a demonstration of great interest in political and social matters never succeed in attracting people to Christianity.”  We have a higher calling. Put the humble beauty of Jesus in front of us and move away from the ugly arrogance of modern politics.
  • 1 Peter 5:5 “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Quit Playing Party Politics. I need this reminder about my ultimate allegiance. You should hear this.  We should not be partisan Republicans, Democrats, or any other political party.  As Tim Keller shares, “The historical Christian positions on social issues do not fit into contemporary political alignments.” We are called to talk about Jesus to both sides and not isolate our audience with our political dispositions and opinions.  We cannot present a distorted view of Christianity that identifies the Christian faith with a particular political party.  Christian nationalism in America is advertising that one must vote Republican or you are not really a Christian.  Republicans are now unlikely to hear about Jesus from Democrats and Democrats probably will not hear about Jesus from Republicans.  This compromise of our Gospel witness should disturb us.

Franklin, We all would do well to heed the sage advice of your parents. Your dad, Billy Graham, wisely shared that “evangelicals can’t be closely identified with any particular party or person. We have to stand in the middle, to preach to all the people, right and left. I haven’t been faithful to my own advice in the past. I will in the future.”  Your mom, Ruth Graham, responded to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s request for political advice from your dad with boldness and clarity saying, “Billy ought to limit his advice to you to religious and spiritual matters.”

We need to stop our public political flag waiving, skip political rallies, put down our posters, remove our campaign hats, and pull out our yard signs.  People don’t need our polarizing and biased opinions, they need the truth of our King Jesus.  Our hope, passions, resources, and focus should be prioritized on the return of the King of Kings and not on the next election cycle. Our identity is in Jesus not in our party affiliation.  Put the Kingdom of God in front of the kingdom of man.
  • 2 Timothy 2:4 “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

You Have Lost Perspective.  I’ve lost focus at times too.  We’ve put too much trust in manmade systems.  Partisan politics are man-created forms of pollution that cloud out the deeper and more urgent realities.  Governments offer nationalistic hope and purpose, and are God-ordained for our good, but can never fully deliver on their promises.  The world doesn’t need to hear about our party affiliation or our political endorsements, so don’t tweet and post like they do.  We can take a stand on issues in a biblically nonpartisan manner.  We must avoid being labeled by (or identifying as) a particular political party whenever possible. Put eternal hope in front of us instead of hope in the next set of polls.
  • Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Acknowledge Your Hypocrisy and Hatred.  We’ve all played the hypocrite and spoken unkindly towards those different than us. It may not be intentional but it is a reality nonetheless for all of us.  We are all more blind to our predispositions and biases than we realize.  We often sin similarly to those we critique.  The world doesn’t need our snarkiness or sarcasm.  They need our love.  We should be gentle and kind with our “opponents.”  

If we lend our public endorsement of a politician or party, then we should commit to consistently speak to the seriousness of their sin and future failures as well.  John Calvin, when teaching about John the Baptist’s confrontation of King Herod, explains that “John has thus, by his example, furnished an undoubted rule for pious teachers, not to wink at the faults of princes, so as to purchase their favor at this price, how advantageous soever that favor might appear to be to the public interests.” We must not overlook the sin of some while attacking the sin of others.  Moral inconsistency is hypocrisy.

Our countrymen need our meekness, love, and prayers.  We can engage those we disagree with compassionate conviction but we must be consistent across the political spectrum.  Put a humble peacemaking spirit in front of us in place of argumentative arrogance.
  • 1 Timothy 2:8 “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling”

You Are Being Manipulated.  I’ve been co-opted too. We all have been used. We may not realize it but while politicking we are frequently being maneuvered like a pawn by savvy press and powerful politicians.  When we publicly jump on a political band-wagon we will likely travel further than we ought to ride.  We need to dismount and follow Jesus more closely instead of getting visibly sidetracked by earthly matters. Put God’s platform in front of us and push away governmental partisanship.
  • Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”

You Aren’t As Right As You Think You Are.  I am not either.  None of us are.  We often think too highly of ourselves.  The more we speak, the greater potential we have to sin.  In the complex day and age we live in, it is difficult to speak to all of the platforms, policies, and issues accurately and comprehensively.  We are typically misinformed, under-informed, imbalanced, partial, and overwhelmed.  We need to behold the biblical truth more than we notice the national news.  Very few of us have the ability and humility to speak well publicly to the many issues filling our feeds.  Put biblical truth in front of us in lieu of human opinions.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:7 “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

You Can’t Fix This Nation.  Neither can I.  None of us can. Only Jesus is able.  Often we think and talk like we are more important and capable than we actually are.  Partisan politics makes life about us when life is actually about God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.  We are His mouthpiece to the world.  We need to stick to His truth.  We need to be faithful to the time He has given us.  We need to prioritize Jesus in our lives, our love, and our hope.  We need to remember the primary need of our society is not a political victory, but a spiritual victory in Christ.
  • James 3:13–15 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”

Christians, we need quit our partisan politicking but not our political engagement.  It’s not too late to change. We can do better.  There is a way to engage our culture without compromising our Gospel witness.  Tim Keller explains that “while believers can register under a party affiliation and be active in politics, they should not identify the Christian church or faith with a political party as the only Christian one.”  Here are some guidelines that may help us all in the future.

12 Rules of Political Engagement for Christians

1. God First - God’s truth is always above man’s opinions. Reevaluate your political positions with the Bible in hand.
2. Others Second - We must put the needs of others before our own agendas. We can better love our neighbors with tangible actions rather than just trusting in our cast ballot.
3. Self Less - We need humility in all our communications and attitudes.  Before we post or speak we should consider the tone and approach we choose.  Our daily decisions should demonstrate a care for those different than us.
4. Default to Non-Partisan - Unless our profession requires it, most Christians should strongly consider the wisdom of being publicly nonpartisan.  In these divisive times it may be best to stay away from partisan political posts, rallies, posters, yard signs, and headgear.
5. Your Vote Is Important - You have the responsibility and privilege to be politically informed and go to the polls whenever you have the opportunity.
6. Private Persuasion Is Often Better - Some issues deserve our public discussion and commentary. More may be gained through private, personal conversations without the rhetoric found in many public forums.
7. Humble & Respectful Disagreement - We are all created in the image of God.  We ought to speak kindly to all with the reminder that no-one is beyond the life-changing hope of Christ.  We must love our political “enemies.”
8. Avoid Absolutes - Recognize our temptation towards sound bites and the demonization of others.  Avoid over-simplifying situations and categorizing groups with stereotypes.  
9. Pray More than You Speak - We often fall into the trap of believing that our voices to mankind make a bigger difference than our prayers to the Creator of the Universe.  Prayer is our primary political calling.
10. Share the Gospel More than Your Political Persuasions - Elections and governments come and go.  True and lasting hope is only found in the Kingdom of God through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  Live and speak in light of these priorities.  Be more passionate about winning souls than winning arguments or elections.
11. Resist as a Last Resort - Rare biblical and historical examples exist to show and prepare us for times where courageous rebellion is called for in order to remain faithful to God.  The broad biblical guidance is to honor and submit to the authorities whenever possible.
12. The 1% Exception - Although 99-ish% of us should probably be nonpartisan monarchists (prioritizing the Kingdom of God), 1% of us may be called by God into service within a partisan political sphere.  If that is you, please stay faithful to God’s truths in your policies and platforms no matter the personal cost. Speak to the good, without flattery or partiality, in both parties.  Confront the bad, with love and humility, in both parties.  Practice the fruits of the Holy Spirit at all times towards your political opponents talking with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

Christians, we can do better.  Let’s love on and pray for those we disagree with.

In Christ,
Jonathan Carl, A Monarchist Pastor Waiting for the King of Kings to Return and Make All Things New

1 Timothy 2:1–2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Helpful Perspectives on the Topic

US Capitol photo by Michele Orallo on Unsplash
White House photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash
Lincoln Memorial photo by Brian Kraus on Unsplash

Should Christians Be Politically Involved?

When you watch political news do you find yourself getting excited or angry? Our emotional responses to changes in politics may point us to having an identity that is too tied to our political preferences. Join Jonathan Carl as he helps us to think through our political involvement and it's connection with our identity. "To clothe oneself with or to put on a person means to put on the characteristics of that person and become like him or her. Paul says we are to "clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 13:14). This spiritual transformation has a decisive beginning, but it is not final or complete. The process of putting on the new self who is in Christ is the sanctifying process that makes real in our experience what has already happened at salvation. In other words, we are to become by God's grace the people that He has already made us." Neil Anderson, "The Daily Discipler", p.108 Galatians 3:27–28 "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (ESV)

Our Words - Danger! (Part 1)

Has anyone every hurt you with their words?  Have you ever regretted something you said and wish you could have taken it back?  Our tongues can be so quick to speak but yet can deeply damage others at length.  It is important that we consider the dangerous aspects of our words.  God cares for us and warns us about our tongues, we would be wise to listen…
before you post, tweet, or talk...

Harshness Multiplies.  Our words are like a “fire” (James 3:6) that can quickly turn a disagreement into a disaster.  Fights can escalate and expand quickly with the wrong words.  When people handle fireworks or weapons they are extremely cautious because they realize the danger embedded within them.  Don’t disregard the explosive and damaging potential of your words.

Proverbs 15:1 “a harsh word stirs up anger”

Foolishness Displays Itself.  Think about a time when you did something stupid.  Did you feel embarrassed or ashamed?  Did you quickly try to cover up or explain away your mistake or mess?  When we speak people begin to form opinions about us, our character, and our competence.  Don’t give people a reason to think poorly about you.

Proverbs 15:2 “the mouths of fools pour out folly”

Words Hurt Us.  We can often lash out to find temporary relief from our bitterness only to realized the poisonous brew we drank in our cruelty.  We can tell crude jokes to gain a laugh but in the end we lose our reputation.  Don’t hurt yourself with your words when there are so many opportunities for good. 

Proverbs 15:4 “perverseness in it [the tongue] breaks the spirit.”

Words Hurt Others.  Ever give a piece of bad advice that you wish you could take back?  Ever witness the hurt you caused someone with your malicious or manipulative mouth?  God calls us to prioritize others above ourselves.  May we pour out love and truth from our lips instead of hatred and lies.  Don’t tear down others when you have the opportunity to build them up.

Romans 16:18 “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

Words Hurt God.  Our tongues are meant to bring God honor, but often we are self-focused and miss the purpose the mouths God gave us.  Scoffing and mocking bring God’s opposition (Prov. 3:34).  God’s hates lies and divisive words (Proverbs 6:16-19).  Don’t disregard God’s warning about His hatred of wicked words when He has created you for a greater purpose.

James 3:10 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Words Evidence A Path Headed to Hell.  Doctors use scans and tests to evidence and diagnose the physical condition of a heart.  Our words can evidence and diagnose the spiritual condition of our souls.  Jesus lovingly warns us that “on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:33-37).  Will your words justify you as being on a path to Heaven, evidencing a saved, good heart?  Or will your words condemn you as being on a path to Hell, evidencing a lost, evil heart?  

Examine your heart through the evidence of your mouth and be concerned if you think you are saved but your tongue tells another story.  Don’t be a hypocrite and be surprised by a future rejection from Jesus’ eternal presence (Matthew 7:23).

James 1:26 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”

We can we do about all of this today?  We can listen to God’s words about our words and sincerely seek His forever forgiveness, cleansing, and change.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Why Would a Southern Baptist Pastor Write a Controversial Open Letter to the President?

Why would I, a Southern Baptist pastor, write a controversial open letter to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, about about the "accidental drive-by 'lightweight' tweet"?  What is the big deal anyhow?  What political party should Christians publicly identify with?  Is there hope for America’s future? Watch the video for answers to these questions plus the full story of the Presidential tweet (also at https://youtu.be/GXgqtE9CTFI ).




Video thanks to my friend & fellow pastor Caleb Phelps!!  We hope you'll listen in to our conversation until the end! :) We're praying for our President & country!

 Original open letter to the President here: http://jonathancarl.org/2019/09/TrumpTwitterWar.html


 A few helpful thoughts on politics and Presidents from the late Reverend Billy Graham:
  • “Evangelicals can’t be closely identified with any particular party or person. We have to stand in the middle, to preach to all the people, right and left. I haven’t been faithful to my own advice in the past. I will in the future.”
  • “Politics has always been ugly to me, and yet I accept that as a fact of life. The emphasis I tried to leave was love, not … my own love for them [Presidents] but that they need to have love for the people who were opposed to them.”
  • Billy Graham to Lyndon Johnson “We are not saved because of our own accomplishments...I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I’m going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: ‘Lord, remember me.’”
  • “Their [the Presidents’] personal lives—some of them—were difficult, but I loved them all. I admired them all. I knew that they had burdens beyond anything I could ever know or understand.”
Interviews & articles about the "lightweight" tweet in the Washington Post, USA TODAY , The News-Enterprise , the Louisville Courier Journal, WDRB News, MSN, RELEVANT Magazine ,Faithwire, The Hill, Premier Christian Radio, Business Insider, New York Post, the Huffington Post, a second article in the Washington Post, and an interview with KTRS Big 550 St. Louis 

Tons of truths about Jesus' love, hope, and forever peace @ www.TrustworthyWord.com

Dear Mr. President, I’m a Casualty of Your Drive-By Tweeting War. We All Are.

Dear Mr. President,

I’m a Casualty of Your Drive-By Tweeting War. We all are.  Last week you tweeted an insult my way.  It was an accidental mis-tweet of course, I’m just an ordinary citizen (Jonathan Carl) and not worthy of POTUS attention like ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl.  Nonetheless your drive-by tweet quickly brought a spectrum of intense vitriol and hatred my way.  Although I was an accidental casualty caught in the cross-fire of your “lightweight” tweet, your attack was very purposeful and hurtful.  Many others, whether American citizens or global citizens, feel wounded and hurt by the shrapnel and side-effects of your ongoing Twitter attacks.

In light of the lessons of my wounds I thought I would share a few personal thoughts as well as some helpful wisdom for us all from a well-admired man whose birthplace I pass almost every day.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861)

I’m not mad at you, I’m sad for you.  My first reaction was to laugh out loud at your mistake when I saw your tweet.  My second response was sadness and compassion for you.  Our words overflow from our hearts and can quickly evidence the health or sickness of our souls.  Your heart must be in a dangerous place to have such a consistent flow of defamation and disrespect towards so many.

“I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.”
Abraham Lincoln, Remarks at the Monogahela House (February 14, 1861)

President Trump's Mis-Tweet
Be Slow to Tweet. It is wonderful that you want to communicate frequently with your constituency and the world.  Exercise self-control and be more patient and selective with your correspondence.  Please don’t make the Twitter-universe such a dark and depressing place.  It shouldn’t be a place to argue, fight, or jockey for position.  We can disagree and debate without childish name-calling. You can make Twitter a better place if you choose a platform of love instead of hate. As everyone’s mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t tweet anything at all.”

“In times like the present men should utter nothing for which they would not willingly be responsible through time and in eternity.” Abraham Lincoln, Second State of the Union (December 1, 1862)

Apologize more.  Everyone makes mistakes.  All of us have regrets about past things we’ve said and wish we could change.  When you mess up, please learn to say you are sorry and admit you were wrong.  Even to ordinary folk like me.  Such humility goes a long way.  Aim to own up and stop trying to coverup, hide, deny, or ignore your faults.  No-one is perfect.

“Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.” Abraham Lincoln, Address Delivered in Candidacy for the State Legislature. (March 9, 1832)

Be humble. You called an experienced reporter a “lightweight.”  Let’s be honest, you are a lightweight too.  We all are.  God is the only heavyweight who knows it all and gets it right all the time.  That should keep things in perspective for all of us.  You are not the ultimate Commander-In-Chief.  May we all be reminded of our national motto, “In God We Trust” and be more faithful to Him, avoiding the temptation to trust more in a politician, party, or post.

“I rejoice with you in the success which has, so far, attended that cause. Yet in all our rejoicing let us neither express, nor cherish, any harsh feeling towards any citizen who, by his vote, has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling.” Abraham Lincoln, Remarks at Springfield, Illinois (November 20, 1860)

Choose kindness.  Goodness speaks much louder and more effectively than harsh words.  Gentleness builds up instead of tearing down.  The world is hateful enough.  Meekness is not a weakness, but a strength.  The world needs more light and hope.  My prayer is that you grow into a bright beacon of joy and peace in a traumatized universe.

“This struggle is too large for you to be diverted from it by any small matter.” Abraham Lincoln, Speech to the One Hundred Sixty-fourth Ohio Regiment, Delivered at Washington, D.C. (August 18, 1864)

Let’s Keep Things In Perspective.  At the end of the day, being right or wrong on social media regarding the prediction of a catastrophic weather event like Hurricane Dorian isn’t the main issue.  Thousands of souls are suffering and they need our prayers, encouragement, and support.  We need good leaders.  Please lead us well.

Sincerely,

Secure

Build your life on the Lord, listening to, loving, and following His lead!

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27

Praise the Lord for His salvation!


(Philippians 1:6) “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Are Pokémons Demons? A Christian Spiritual Warfare Understanding of Pokémon

Pokémon is huge fad that is reemerging with the insanely popular Pokémon Go mobile app/game.  No doubt, the technology and gaming is AMAZING.  In writing this, I am not discounting the many practical positive things that are coming out of this gaming revolution... but I am also not engaging the many practical safety concerns that are emerging.  
Here is a helpful video describing how the game works if you are unfamiliar with it.

 My focus is on the spiritual concerns of Pokémon...which many Western/American Christians are not aware of...

 This post is not meant to create debate or argument.  The spirit of this post is not paranoid, arrogant, self-righteous (I've played the old school version), or condescending.  The hope of this post is to inform Christians of some of the backgrounds to games, movies, TV shows, etc. like Pokémon so that they think more biblically about the decisions they make.

 Ultimately I understand that Pokémon is just designed as a game or form of entertainment.  But it is not merely neutral territory, there is a demonic connection.  Here is a more detailed description that you may find helpful.

 So here are some of my personal, basic Christian concerns with Pokémon:

 Pokémon derives from and promotes an animistic worldview. 
  • A worldview is the lens through which you look at and interpret the world.  
  • Animism (spiritism/tribalism) is foreign to many Westerners/Americans but dominates the majority worldview.
  • Animism is “the belief that personal spiritual beings and impersonal spiritual forces have power over human affairs, and consequently, that human beings must discover what beings and forces are influencing them in order to determine future action and, frequently, to manipulate their power” (Gailyn Van Rheenen, Communicating Christ in Animistic Contexts, 20).
  • If you study more about animism/tribalism/spiritism you will see the connections more and more clearly with the game of Pokémon.

    • Animism focuses on BEINGS (gods, ancestors, ghosts, angels, nature spirits, spirit guides) and FORCES (magic, astrology, witchcraft, the evil eye, etc.) that influence the seen world.
    • Animism believes the seen world is clearly and definitively related to the unseen world, so animists are often constantly in fear of the powers behind events.
    • Power is the essence of animism, especially power to bring about evil.
    • Discovering, determining, and warding off the powers is critical in the animistic worldview.
Pokémon advocates for practices identical to those used by sorcerers, necromancers, mediums, psychics,  spirit/ghost hunters, and shamans.  These practices are clearly prohibited across the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, and across church history. These practices are interwoven into the game as the main feature, focus, and goal.
1. Controlling and capturing Pokémon to do your will.
2. Summoning and attracting Pokémon using incense items and lure modules.
3. Actively searching for Pokémon with time, energy, resources, and money (pokécoins).
4. Seeking and using factions and battles between Pokémon.
5. Using potions or revives to heal and restore Pokémons to life.
6. Types and Categories of Pokémons (fire, electric, ghost, poison, psychic) with correlating supernatural powers.
  • Just try substituting the concept of "demon" or "spirit" or "ghost" in the place of Pokémon in the above descriptions and you will see the obvious connections with animism.
"BUT THIS IS ONLY A GAME!" you may be thinking or shouting at your screen... "Don't be a killjoy!"... "These are just cartoons!"...

 Well here are my thoughts.

 1. Spiritual Warfare is real.  Pokémon depicts a false, but widely believed and popularized version of the spirit world.  Playing and investing in such games just deepens and broadens the worldview of animism, and also makes it seem like a more fictional or fun world to some.  It is important to have an understanding of the spirit world, but we should seek and teach a spiritual worldview that is consistent with the biblical reality.  There is a real unseen battle going on between the followers of God (Christians and angels) and the followers of Satan (demons/fallen-angels and non-Christians) (Ephesians 6:10-20).
"Study Satan’s tricks, and acquaint yourself with his tactics." William Gurnall
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

2. Satan disguises himself and is very clever in his approaches.  Approaches such as games, movies, and TV shows eventually cause us to subconsciously or subconsciously either misunderstand the true nature of the demonic.  Sometimes entertainment media causes us to be overly-dismissive or overly-interested toward the demonic.  Targeting kids and teens is a pretty smart approach for the enemy as well.
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his Servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV) "so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV)

 3. Church History and secular history both took the demonic seriously.  The demonic is directly connected to Greek and Roman god worship in early church history.  The supernatural world has real monsters and they are called demons.  Demons are not cute, friendly, or helpful.  The goal and work of demons is to destroy and oppose God, His work, and His people.  If people truly understood the spiritual battle going on around us, they would not take it so casually.

 “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV)

 Here are just a few examples from early church history:
  • Justin Martyr (AD 110-165) in The First Apology explains   “since of old these evil demons, effecting apparitions of themselves, both defiled women and corrupted boys, and showed such fearful sights to men, that those who did not use their reason in judging of the actions that were done, were struck with terror; and being carried away by fear, and not knowing that these were demons, they called them gods, and gave to each the name which each of the demons chose for himself.”  This description and others how some of the false religions, specifically in the temples of Greek gods, are but demonic imitations of biblical worship.  Martyr also points biblically in The Dialogue with Trypho to the Magi in Egypt and the false prophets in Elijah’s days but then connects such false worship to Greek gods such as Bacchus son of Jupiter, Semele, Hercules, Jove of Alcmene, and Æsculapius.
  • Irenæus (AD 120-202) “Thus, then, the mystic priests belonging to this sect both lead profligate lives and practise magical arts, each one to the extent of his ability. They use exorcisms and incantations. Love-potions, too, and charms, as well as those beings who are called ‘Paredri’ (familiars) and ‘Oniropompi’ (dream-senders), and whatever other curious arts can be had recourse to, are eagerly pressed into their service. They also have an image of Simon fashioned after the likeness of Jupiter, and another of Helena in the shape of Minerva; and these they worship. In fine, they have a name derived from Simon, the author of these most impious.” (Irenæus, Irenæus Against Heresies (ANF 1:348))
  • Minucius Felix (c.AD 210) “…. Saturn himself, and Serapis, and Jupiter, and whatever demons you worship, overcome by pain, speak out what they are; and assuredly they do not lie to their own discredit, especially when any of you are standing by. Since they themselves are the witnesses that they are demons"
  • Origen (AD 185-254) “Hence we are determined to avoid the worship of demons even as we would avoid death; and we hold that the worship, which is supposed among the Greeks to be rendered to gods at the altars, and images, and temples, is in reality offered to demons” (Origen, Contra Celsus (ANF 4:640))
"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV)

 4. Our supernatural battle is only won through the power and sacrifice of Christ.  Our own abilities, talents, time, and experience will not help us defeat the demonic.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV)

 "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV)

 "Enemy-occupied territory - that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign in sabotage." C.S. Lewis

 5.  We will answer to God in how we use the time, energy, and resources He has entrusted us with. Pokémon Go requires a lot of time and energy.  Wouldn't this time and energy be better invested in chasing after Jesus through the Bible, prayer, evangelism, missions, and church instead of chasing Pokémons?

 "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12 ESV)

 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV)

 6.  Christians should ultimately ask themselves... does this game of Pokémon glorify God or Satan? Does this please God or provoke Him to jealousy?

 "What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. [22] Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? [23] “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." (1 Corinthians 10:19-23 ESV)
"Your perspective should be very different from the unregenerate." William Gurnall

If you have never read Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story by Mark Ritchie or watched The Enemy God, it is extremely helpful to see and understand the animistic worldview. Here is a short interview with Bautista, a former witchdoctor who became a Christian.

This same man, Bautista, a former Yanomamo shaman was asked specifically about Pokémon by looking at their pictures. Read his response here: "Is Pokemon Safe for Christian Kids" THIS IS A VERY HELPFUL BLOG POST...I'd encourage you to read this before you make a final decision on what you think about Pokémon.

“Tell the people from your churches, that if there are things that make them feel uncomfortable, it is probably not good. God’s Spirit will speak to them about what is right and wrong.” Bautista

 NOTE: Since writing this, I had two church members who were just on a mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.  They explained to me (having not read this post or the above links to Bautista) an event that happened on their trip... another American in their group was playing Pokémon Go when a former Mexican witchdoctor noticed a picture of Pikachu on the American's phone.  The former witchdoctor, having never seen it or heard of Pokémon before,  asserted that the image of Pikachu he saw was a demon he had seen and experienced before and questioned this Christian individual as to why they were playing such a game.



 Again the purpose of this post is not to berate, put down, or insult.  Unfortunately I have played many  of these sorts of games myself in the past and watched some of these genres of entertainment.  The purpose of this post is to encourage Christians, and especially Christian parents, to think biblically about the content that is before their eyes and ears and in their hands.
"Are Pokémons demons?" may be the question that brought you to this post.  I think the better question that a Christian should be asking is, "Does Pokémon honor God?" and unfortunately, I think the clear answer is "No."
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
Here are three of my favorite resources that I hope you'll take the time to check out!



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