April 2025

How Can I Be Silent?

My father always advised me, “Don’t talk about politics in the church.” I understand his concern—he wanted to protect me. South Korea endured a military dictatorship, where discussing politics or democracy was perilous. Those who dared to speak out were often silenced, taken away, tortured, or even killed. This collective trauma runs deep in the Korean people.

I often hear that I am bold for addressing politics in the church. My intention is not to discuss politics per se, but to view our world through the lens of scripture. It's important to acknowledge that the Scriptures we read are deeply political. The Bible is filled with stories of people's lives intertwined with power, oppression, and resistance. In every era, there was an empire—Egypt, Persia, Babylon, Rome—where people's lives hung in the balance. The prophets spoke out for peace and justice, and Jesus was anything but politically neutral.

Remember when He overturned the tables in the temple? That wasn’t just an act of anger—it was a challenge to a corrupt system where religious and political leaders colluded to maintain power. This broken system was unjust and was ruining people’s lives. Jesus could not remain neutral in the face of human suffering. Instead, He stood—deliberately, defiantly, and politically—with the poor, the sick, and the outcast.

After being tested in the wilderness, Jesus began His public ministry with something akin to an inauguration speech: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

His message was good news to the vulnerable. But to the oligarchy—those who thrived on a corrupt system and exploited others—this was not good news. How could Jesus be silent or politically neutral in the face of such injustice and suffering?

As a Christian and pastor, how can I remain silent? How can I not speak about the broken systems and those who uphold them? When I stand to speak, I tremble, hearing a voice inside me cautioning, “Don’t talk about politics.” But I also hear the gentle voice of my heavenly Father, who has never called us to turn a blind eye to suffering. The God we worship calls us not to silence in the face of injustice, but to truth, love, and courage. So, I return to our baptismal vows and invite us all to revisit them:

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? We said, “I do.” We still say, “We do.” And we must live it.

Rev. Hyunwoong Hwang