He’s calling out Christians using excuses.
Pastor Rafael Cruz, father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, encouraged Christians to take a more active role in politics during his address at the Christians Engaged Conference in Carrollton, Texas. He challenged the commonly held belief that “God is in control,” suggesting that it often becomes an excuse for inaction, particularly as the nation grapples with moral and societal challenges. Cruz argued that the Church has not done enough, largely due to pastors avoiding controversial subjects for fear of upsetting congregants or losing financial contributions.
Cruz contended that the idea of “God is in control” is often misunderstood and likened it to hyper-Calvinism, a doctrine that negates free will and personal responsibility. He emphasized that Christians should adopt the biblical concept of stewardship, which calls for active management and care of God’s creation, including civic involvement. To reinforce his point, he referenced the book of Genesis, asserting that humanity is charged with dominion over the earth, and this extends to being engaged in governance and societal matters.
He expressed concerns about contemporary societal challenges, particularly the influence of certain ideologies in public education, and urged more Christians to pursue roles in local governance, such as school boards. Drawing on his own upbringing in Communist Cuba, Cruz highlighted the need to safeguard freedoms in America, warning that the loss of these liberties could leave people with nowhere else to seek refuge.
The conference, organized by Christians Engaged, aimed to motivate churches to become more involved in conservative social causes. In addition to Cruz, notable speakers included former Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Coach Joe Kennedy, all of whom sought to inspire Christians to engage more actively in social and political issues aligned with their beliefs.
The event opened with remarks from Pastor Christopher McRae of Sojourn Church, who expressed hope for a spiritual revival within the Church. He encouraged attendees to listen attentively and take actionable steps to create positive change in their communities.