Can You Separate Faith From Politics? Here's Why I Don't Think So...

Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most divisive questions in modern Christianity: Can you really separate faith from politics? Speaking from his peaceful retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks, Adam opens up about the intense reaction to his July 4th Facebook post discussing recent legislation and why he believes the church must speak when political decisions become moral issues. With over 600 comments flooding in—both supportive and critical—Adam uses this as a launching point to explore the biblical mandate for addressing issues that affect society's most vulnerable populations.5 Key Insights From This Episode:The Hebrew Prophets Were Political Activists: Adam walks through scripture to show how biblical prophets routinely spoke about what we'd call "political" issues today—from justice and oppression to care for widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. If the church doesn't shape our ethics around these issues, who will? When Politics Becomes Morality, the Church Must Speak: Drawing from Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1, Adam argues that when political decisions impact the marginalized and powerless, they transcend partisan politics and become moral imperatives that require a faithful response. The Real-World Impact of Policy on People: Adam breaks down recent changes to SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid, sharing sobering statistics about food insecurity affecting 13.5% of US households and explaining how policy changes will impact healthcare access for millions of Americans. The Challenge of "Difficult to Employ" Populations: While supporting work requirements in principle, Adam raises concerns about people who struggle with mental health issues or other barriers that make traditional employment challenging—asking what happens to those who fall through the cracks. Churches Need Both Republicans and Democrats: Adam shares how his congregation is roughly 40% Republican, 40% Democrat, and 20% independent, explaining his approach to honoring diverse political perspectives while still calling people to consider how their faith should inform their values.This episode perfectly embodies what Making Sense of Faith is all about—wrestling with the hard questions that thinking people face rather than offering easy answers. Adam's honest reflection on the backlash he received shows the real cost of trying to build bridges in our polarized world, while his biblical grounding demonstrates why faith communities can't afford to stay silent on issues of justice. Whether you're skeptical about religion's role in public life or wrestling with how your beliefs should inform your political engagement, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for navigating these complex intersections. Adam's genuine struggle with these questions—and his willingness to face criticism for raising them—makes this essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of faith in our complicated world.