The Supreme Court’s Identity Crisis

I’ve always believed that the rule of law is what holds this country together. But in recent days, I’ve watched with growing concern as even our highest court seems to be slipping into something far more dangerous than disagreement over legal opinions. It looks to me like the Supreme Court itself is having an identity crisis.

What exactly is the job of a Supreme Court Justice? To interpret the law? Or to push a political or social agenda? Two recent examples show just how blurred that line has become—and why Christians, conservatives, and every freedom-loving American should be paying attention.

Sotomayor’s Call to “Champion Lost Causes”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor made headlines this week when she told a room full of lawyers that their job is to “stand up for people who can’t do it themselves” and “be the champion of lost causes.” You can read the full report here.

Now, that might sound noble to some ears. Who doesn’t want to defend the underdog? But that’s not what the Supreme Court is for. Their job is not to pick winners and losers based on sympathy. Their job is to uphold the Constitution—period.

Sotomayor’s comments reflect what many of us have been concerned about for years: judicial activism. That’s the term for when judges stop applying the law as written and start pushing personal or political agendas from the bench. And make no mistake—Sotomayor’s language sounds more like a social activist than a neutral justice.

We don’t need justices who “champion causes.” We need justices who apply the law fairly, even when the outcome isn’t popular or emotional. When a justice sees themselves as a political warrior instead of a constitutional referee, we all lose.

Roberts’ Warning About “Endangered” Courts

On the surface, Chief Justice John Roberts seemed to take a more balanced approach this week when he warned that the rule of law is “endangered” in America. But if you listen closely to his words, there’s something troubling underneath.

Roberts defended the Court’s role in striking down actions by Congress or the President when they violate the Constitution. He also warned that attacks on judges are harmful to democracy. You can read the report here.

While I agree that personal threats against judges are wrong, Roberts seems to be positioning the Court as above criticism. He warned that people shouldn’t challenge the Court’s authority too harshly, and he dismissed calls for judicial accountability—like impeachment—as political attacks.

Let me be clear: No one is above accountability. Not Congress. Not the President. And certainly not the Supreme Court.

Roberts sounds more like he’s defending the institution of the Court than defending the Constitution itself. That’s a dangerous place to be. The Court’s job is to serve the law, not preserve its own image or power.

The Bigger Problem: Judicial Activism on All Sides

Both of these examples reveal a deeper issue: the politicization of the legal system. Judges on both sides of the aisle are increasingly behaving like political operatives instead of impartial referees.

We’ve seen it in decisions about abortion, marriage, gender policy, and more. Whether it’s liberal justices pushing social causes or conservative justices defending “their side,” the result is the same: the law takes a back seat to ideology.

The Biblical Response to Judicial Activism

As a Christian, I believe true justice reflects God’s standard of truth—not man’s opinions. The Bible says in Leviticus 19:15, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” That’s a warning against emotional or biased rulings.

Romans 13 reminds us that government’s role is to punish evil and reward good—but when judges redefine good and evil, they are no longer fulfilling their God-given role. They’re playing God themselves.

Why Christians Should Care About Judicial Activism

You might be wondering why this matters to everyday believers like you and me. Here’s why: When the courts abandon impartial justice, every freedom we enjoy is at risk.

If judges can redefine the law based on feelings, agendas, or political pressure, what’s stopping them from ruling against religious liberty? What’s stopping them from silencing Christian speech or punishing biblical convictions?

We’ve already seen this creeping into our legal system. Churches have been fined for holding services. Christian business owners have been sued for standing on biblical marriage. And Christians have been labeled extremists for simply believing the truth.

It starts in the courtroom. And if Christians don’t speak up, pray, and hold our leaders accountable, it won’t stop there.

What Needs to Change

First, we need to demand that our courts return to their constitutional role—to apply the law impartially, without personal agendas. That means judicial activism has to go, whether it comes from the left or the right.

Second, we need to educate ourselves and others about what true justice really is—justice rooted in truth, not politics. Justice that honors God’s design, not man’s redefinitions.

Finally, we need to pray for our leaders—even the ones we disagree with. The Bible commands us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray for those in authority so that we may live peaceful and godly lives.

A Final Word

The Supreme Court doesn’t get to rewrite the Constitution. Judges don’t get to play favorites. And justices aren’t called to champion causes—they’re called to apply the law as written.

If they forget that, we the people must remind them.

I’m Arch Kennedy.
Where Faith Meets Culture — Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid.