Is he right?
Are Christians being manipulated by the Republican Party?
Pastor Matt Chandler from The Village Church raised this question during a sermon on October 6, titled “Thrones & Thorns – Week 1.” He urged Christians to evaluate the Republican Party’s alignment with their values critically.
Chandler, 50, expressed concern about the GOP’s strategy to attract the Christian community. He pointed out that the party’s charter from 1972 contains no references to God or abortion, suggesting that it adapted its approach in the 1970s to gain Christian support when it faced electoral losses. He believes that while many Republicans may not truly embody Christian principles, they are adept at appealing to Evangelical voters.
“They know we are easily swayed, easily stirred into a frenzy, and that they can control us,” Chandler remarked. “They do not necessarily share our beliefs.”
He was also careful to critique the left’s legislative policies, describing them as “morally reprehensible and demonic,” likely referring to pro-abortion Democrats. “I’m not discussing conspiracy theories; I’m addressing legislative actions rooted in a worldview that harkens back to ancient deities,” he elaborated, likening current attitudes toward sexual freedom to sacrificing children to Moloch, a god mentioned in the Old Testament.
Chandler noted that ancient worship of Baal and other deities involved sexual immorality and resulted in horrific outcomes. He compared this to contemporary society, where people may act immorally without facing the consequences, suggesting, “Is that not what’s occurring today?”
He condemned such ideologies as fundamentally incompatible with orthodox Christian teachings. “This worldview does not align with our beliefs as Christians,” he asserted.
Despite the charged political atmosphere, Chandler urged Christians to remain level-headed and not allow emotions to dictate their responses. “They’re trying to provoke fear and anger in us. This manipulative tactic has been employed by oppressive regimes throughout history — ‘Make them fearful or angry, and they’ll comply,’” he cautioned.
“Don’t fall for it,” he warned. “Just don’t.”
This sermon marked a significant return to politically charged discourse for Chandler since he resumed his pastoral duties in December 2022, following a brief leave of absence due to his inappropriate messages sent via Instagram to a woman who is not his wife. Although those messages were not sexual or romantic, Chandler admitted they were “unguarded and unwise,” reflecting a lack of health in his interactions.
The church’s elders had stated that the exchanges crossed a line, emphasizing the importance of appropriate boundaries in friendships, especially within pastoral roles. They concluded that Chandler had not demonstrated the expected standards of conduct for a pastor.
Chandler has since returned to lead the Village Church, a multi-campus Southern Baptist megachurch located in the Dallas area.