Swearing off our theological heroes when they offer a political viewpoint contrary to our own is foolish for two reasons.

1) It's a failure to recognize that sharing doctrine and sharing the application of that doctrine into particular situations in particular moments 1/10

of history is not a neat and tidy process. Theological agreement does not necessarily lead to 1:1 agreement on how it is to be applied at this time.

2) It betrays a certain arrogance. We have followed men because we have found them to be wise. 2/10

The Bible is absolutely full of warnings not to assume that our own reasoning is correct and that the way to test that reasoning is to listen to wise counsel. See a sampling:

Prov 12:15 - A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,
but whoever listens to counsel is wise. 3/10

Prov 19:20 - Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Prov 3:7 - Don’t be wise in your own eyes
Prov 12:15 - The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 4/10

Prov 9:9 - Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still;
teach the righteous, and he will learn more.
Prov 11:14 - Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance. 5/10

Counsel is just counsel, and I say that as a professional counselor. The Bible does not assert that all counsel given by wise men needs to be followed. Each person must do as their own consciences dictate before the Lord. We stand or fall before Him on our own. 6/10

However, to look at one of our generation's deans and say, "Well, there he goes" or "I've lost all respect for him" because his politics may not align with yours is foolish. 7/10

And lest this be read only one-way, I mean this regarding two very prominent men who share the same first name, the same passion for Christ and his church, and then have quite publicly diverged politically. Rather than heaping scorn on them for diverging from our beliefs, 8/10

wisdom thanks them for their mature reflections on God's word, takes them into wise consideration, and moves forward according to one's own Holy Spirit informed conscience.

Right now, any public figure who speaks on politics is going to face truckloads of vitriol. 9/10

We should be thankful for those who are courageous enough to do so rather than pillorying them for speaking contrary to our own beliefs. 10/10