Political Hack or Prophet? Pick One - You Can’t be Both

The reactions are predictable.
 
Those on the Left do something. Then, almost in real time, some of their critics “lock and load,” flip open the laptop, and let loose a blast of criticisms.
 
Those on the Right do something. Then, almost in real time, some of their critics “lock and load,” flip open the laptop, and let loose a blast of criticisms.

That supposed vital engagement is often marked by anger, dishonest smears, snarky memes, and violent language (and even support for actual violence). Those Christians who engage in such antics seem to see themselves as essential, patriotic, and courageous prophetic voices saving the nation from totalitarian rule.
 
What concerns me is not that people are interested in political events, trends, and trajectories, but the fact that such supposed prophets are remarkably predictable and selective in their indignation. Most often the supporters of the Left or Right go after their opponents with a vengeance but go completely silent when there is cause for criticism of their own side. Or even worse, work sneakily to use (partial) truth to distort the truth.[1]
 
Of course, I have no problem with Christians being loyal to their favorite people, party, and ideology. After all, political engagement can be a very positive (and even enjoyable[2]) thing. I also have no problem with Christians trying to be prophetic by speaking against injustice and troubling trends.
 
However, oftentimes such supposed “prophetic” engagement from either camp is so one-sided that it fails the test of being prophetic. It lacks what Walter Brueggemann coins “prophetic imagination.”[3] In fact, such conduct is more the actions of a political hack (or propagandist) than a prophet. 
 
A prophet in the biblical tradition speaks out against injustice whenever it occurs, regardless of what person or party or ideology is the culprit. Stated simply, the fundamental loyalties of a prophet are not to a person or party or ideology, but to God.[4] Prophets may be quick to speak out on issues and may be harsh in their truthful condemnation of evils, but their targets could and should be anyone or any system. In other words, they don’t cherry pick their indignation.[5]
 
On the other hand, political hacks are people whose prime loyalty is to a person, party, and/or ideology. They are easily identified by their laser focus on identifying the faults of others but never those of their own political movement. They can readily find fault with their rivals but justify or minimize any faults on their own side, and rarely (if ever) speak truth to all power. Stated simply, evil is always the other, tyranny is always the aim of the opponent, and liberty never to be found outside of their own movement. 
 
To clarify, this is not to say both the Right and the Left are equal threats to western civilization. In my opinion one side of the spectrum is clearly a greater threat to peace, liberty, and civil rights.
 
However, it is to say there is a need for honest appraisals of the actions of players on both sides of the political spectrum. And a willingness to speak against injustice coming from any or both sides of the political spectrum.
 
The choice is clear in these crazy days of political madness in America, Canada, or the West in general. You may be free to be a political hack for whatever party you love – Right or Left – but, if you do choose that option, please don’t pretend to be a prophet. 


[1] For a helpful book on how the shaping of truth can be intentionally distorted by use of partial truths, see Hector Macdonald, Truth: How the Many Sides to Every Story Shape Our Reality (Signal, 2018).
[2] I share this person’s passion for politics: https://cct.biola.edu/political-and-prophetic/
[3] Walter Bruggemann, The Prophetic Imagination (1978).
[4] For an excellent work on the primary loyalty of Christians, see David T. Koyzis, Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies (2019).
[5] Of course, the ways in which prophetic engagement can be carried out are shaped by contextual realties. Great wisdom is needed, for being a prophet can be a dangerous vocation, and the last thing needed is to stir up unnecessary trouble over unwise or careless political engagement.