So much for walking humbly

Pastor turned political activist Mike Huckabee recently tossed out an interesting scriptural reference in the fight over a political candidate.

“This could be a Mount Carmel moment,” said the former Arkansas governor, referring to the holy battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in the book of Kings. “You know, you bring your gods. We’ll bring ours. We’ll see whose God answers the prayers and brings fire from heaven. That’s kind of where I’m praying: that there will be fire from heaven, and we’ll see it clearly, and everyone else will to.”

In Kings 18:16-45, Elijah is battling with a corrupt king for the soul of Israel. Almost everyone has turned away from God and worship gold and golden images. The king calls Elijah a trouble-maker. Elijah says that the king and his legion of idolators are the real trouble-makers. He challenges the high priests of false gods to a contest on Mount Carmel (Kings 18:18-19).

“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

So Mike Huckabee appears to be casting himself in the role of Elijah. If so, Mike has very, very large opinion of himself. And notice that his prayers are for God to shower favor on a politician. A politician, mind you, that claimed rape victims could not get pregnant. What a strange context to invoke God's name. Of course, that does not matter to Huckabee who fancies himself Elijah's equal. It sounds like this man's ego needs to go on a diet.

Huckabee the "prophet" used the name of God in a political battle in a publication (Politico) dedicated to politics as a means to sway public opinion. The name of God is sacred. Our silly political tribes serve the rich, not God.

The other troubling part of prophet Huckabee's reference to Elijah is the end of Mount Carmel fight (Kings 18:40).

Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

So, prophet Huckabee, since you are as grand and glorious as Elijah in the eyes of God, do you pray for the slaughter of prophets that serve other political tribes? Or was the reference to the Mount Carmel story just about asserting whose god was biggest and best? Or which self-proclaimed prophets have the ear of God?

Prophet Huckabee never lets facts get in the way of his prophesy. He claimed that the political establishment promised to heed his call to bless Todd Akin.

“Today, the rhetoric was dramatically dialed back,” he said. “You did not see the NRSC, the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, coming out with the kind of harsh statements because they’ve dialed it back. They’ve assured me that they will no longer be threatening the business of some of the vendors in politics and telling them that if they do anything to help Todd, they’d be blackballed and not get any business.

Then prophet Huckabee had to admit that he never had any contact with the powers that be.

“I have not had any direct contact with leaders or staff from the NRSC,” he said in the emailed statement.

Lies are part of politics. Politicians are liars and damn good ones. Invoking the name of God in petty political squabbles is a sure sign of an arrogant prophet or worse.

Unlike Elijah, prophet Huckabee has plenty of other prophets to keep him company.

David Baker, pastor of First Baptist of Church in Belton, Mo., chimed in to say that he met with 60 men earlier in the evening and the view was unanimous Akin should keep fighting.

“We have a responsibility as prophets to speak out,” he said. “One thing I know about Missouri Baptists is that we don’t like to be told what to do.”

So much for walking humbly with Christ. Maybe these prophets can duel in prayer to see which of them is greatest.

Huckabee's cabal of prophets on the conference call included David Barton.

Barton, who was once the co-chairman of the Texas Republican Party, decried “party bosses” for calling pastors, supporting Akin to pressure them to stop doing so.

Prophet Barton also has had some problems with fabricating facts to shill for political ideation. Historians at Christian colleges found an ungodly number of factual errors in Barton's work. The publisher of his latest book was even forced to take the remarkable step of discontinuing publication because of deceptive statements.

As Christians, we serve Christ. We do not bow down to wealth, power, and the things of this world. We do not amplify our importance in the eyes of God. We do not use the name of God to serve the rich and drape ourselves in the trappings of this world.

There is nothing wrong with being a political activist. Let them lobby and lie until their heart is content. Let them line their pockets with cash. Wallow in the muck, snort, rut, and squeal with delight, but don't drag the sacred into the mire.