The story of David and Goliath has inspired believers for generations. Now, Texas Senate candidate James Talarico is taking the biblical showdown straight onto the campaign trail.
Speaking at Inspiring Body of Christ Church in Dallas on Oct. 11, Talarico presented his political fight through the lens of one of Scripture’s most recognizable battles, according to Baptist News Global.
“We’re going up against our own Goliaths — the billionaire megadonors, the crooked politicians, the entire Washington establishment,” Talarico told the congregation.
Talarico continued the comparison by pointing to David’s unlikely victory over the Philistine giant.
“David wasn’t as big or as strong as Goliath; he didn’t have as many weapons, but he had hope, and he had a slingshot,” he said. “You are my slingshot, the people of Texas are my slingshot, and on November 3, these Goliaths aren’t gonna know what hit them.”
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However, 1 Samuel 17 is not merely the story of an underestimated young man defeating a political opponent, as Talarico described. David’s confidence rested squarely in the Lord. Standing before Goliath, David declared that the battle belonged to God and that his victory would demonstrate the power of the God of Israel.
Talarico also used his appearance at church to criticize Texas Republicans’ emphasis on displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
“The Texas Legislature is so focused on the 10 that they forget about the two,” Talarico said, referring to Jesus’ commands to love God and love one’s neighbor.
But Scripture doesn’t necessarily present “the 10” and “the two” as opposing choices.
When Jesus identified loving God and loving one’s neighbor as the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-40, He concluded, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Earlier, Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17 that He had not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them, which is much different than simply disposing of them.
The Bible cannot simply become another collection of campaign slogans. Instead, Scripture must remain the standard by which we test the world around us. Our faith is not meant to be a political tool, as Talarico is suggesting. It is meant to share the truth of the gospel, that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, with a broken and hurting world.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
“The Bible cannot simply become another collection of campaign slogans. Instead, Scripture must remain the standard by which we test the world around us. Our faith is not meant to be a political tool, as Talarico is suggesting.”
This publication has no sense of irony whatsoever. So when we use Scripture in support of our political views, it’s truth and necessary. But when our rivals use Scripture in ways we don’t like, suddenly “our faith is not meant to be a political tool”.