"Are you not like the Ethiopians to Me, O people of Israel?" says the Lord. (Amos 9:7)

(Note: This sermon was preached on November 4, 1984, two days before the national election which resulted in a landslide victory for President Ronald Reagan over the Democratic nominee, Walter Mondale. A few of the references which follow are particular to that election, but the basic message of this sermon will be valid in other election years as well, since the inclination to use God for partisan purposes is well-rooted in our national history.)

Have you noticed that as we get closer to Electon Day, we hear more and talk more about God on the campaign trail? More and more politicians want to be theologians these days.

Why do you think that is? Why are people running for political office so anxious t…