Christianity functions best and is closest to its roots when it is countercultural and critical to the trends of the day. When priests, preachers, pastors, bishops and popes become familiar and cozy with politicians and the secular elite, humanity suffers.
Communist Poland was the best example of this. Now many in Poland say that the Church is too cozy with the government.
I would also add, it’s one reason I have advocated for an African Pope, because they come from an area where Christians are regularly slaughtered and terrorized.
The Lord said—one can not serve two masters-—God and Mammon. Bending the rules isn’t the answer. Sin is sin.
“..When priests, preachers, pastors, bishops and popes become familiar and cozy with politicians and the secular elite, humanity suffers....”
^THIS^ pretty much sums it up, too.
They are “compromised” by the subtleness of the enemy. They’ve taken their eyes off the Lord, departed from the Logos and placed their eyes on mankind instead.
It’s an old trick of the enemy since the very beginning....and he’s still successfully using it to this very day.
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.