On Church and Politics
Soon after David and I got married, we moved away from our home towns to Huntsville, Alabama. He got a job at Lockheed Martin and I finished nursing school.
Even though we wouldn't call Alabama a huge cultural shift from where we are from, there were still a few things we had to get accustomed to. For instance, my good friend, Jennifer, would always say she was "carrying a dish" to someone when she was taking them dinner. Or if someone offered you a drink, the conversation would go something like this:
Them: "Do you want a coke?"
Me: "Sure!"
Them: "What kind?"
Me: (Fill in the drink of what you want)
Everything is coke in that part of the South. Mountain Dew is coke. Dr. Pepper is coke. It's all a coke.
There were other slight differences. We say CAYTS. They say Roll Tide. We say basketball. They say football. We talk slow, they talk slower. Small nuances that add character and charm to the conversations. We're all basically talking the same thing, just with a different twist on the subject. We had common ground we were starting from, it just fleshed itself out a little differently.
Yeah, moving away was a great decision for David and me starting out. Being on our own was good for our relationships with our family back home as we learned to appreciate all the ways they cared for us. It was good for David and me as we learned to rely on one another for support and encouragement. And it was good for us individually. We matured in our faith and awareness of the world around us. We became better versions of ourselves getting to know people that were different than us.
I think that same lesson could be useful to Christians now as we are traversing this political landscape.
During this election cycle especially, it seems the Church has been more vocal than ever. Maybe it's social media. Maybe the stakes seem higher. But people have opinions. Lots of them.
That isn't to say I don't think Christians should take part in political discourse. Quite the contrary. God has ordained government to...well...govern. And as believers we have a responsibility and opportunity to enter into that marketplace of ideas, influencing the world with our values and persuasion rooted in Biblical virtue and truth. Christians have much to contribute politically speaking.
For those Christians who are actively involved in the political scene and interested in the ramifications of the election, I believe their intentions to be true and honorable. Like Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Paul before us, many Christians understand that engaging those in positions of governing authority has a huge impact on us individually and collectively. When we work to influence decision makers to act justly and morally, we all benefit.
Where I feel we have veered off course as a people of faith is not only our limited view of what justice and morality look like but even more what it looks like when we disagree on how to live justly and morally. Humbly, I would appeal to my brothers and sisters in the faith to consider a few things as we walk beside each other politically.
We must stand in the truth of God’s Word
Even though our post-modern culture may deem us antiquated, bigots, or phobic, we must hold fast to the confession of our faith. Because we know God's instructions are rooted in His absolute love for us, we can promote the commands of Scripture without reservation knowing it is for our good. We can confidently proclaim life is precious and a gift of God. That we are image bearers created to bring glory to the Creator. That we are directed to seek justice for the poor and outcast. That racism is evil. That we are to steward this earth with care.
He is good. His words are life to us. And in Him is fullness of joy. Let's boldly hold fast to that.
2. We have to be honest with ourselves.
Graciously, there is no way to rationalize that any one political party is towing the moral line. The donkey doesn't save. The elephant won't save. They are flawed systems. Where one may advance an agenda more in line to a particular component of our faith, they fall off the cliff in another. Christ is bigger than a political party. You cannot box Him in. The Pharisees tried. The Herodians tried. He will not be manhandled. Let's be honest enough with ourselves so that we aren't either.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
3. Let's find common ground and common grace.
This one probably will get me in trouble. Especially in the Bible Belt. But please just consider it for a moment.
As believers, our common ground has to be God's word. Our allegiance is to Him and Him alone. So the things His heart is tender toward should prick my heart as well. Abortion? Absolutely. But more than abortion. Protecting the life of ALL image bearers. His word has much to say about the value of all life. From the unborn to the woman carrying that baby, to the immigrant, to every tribe, tongue, and nation.
But if we are continuing to be honest, God's word is vague on the exact ways to practice those mandates. It does not lay out every detail on what policies best overcome racism or injustices to the poor. It doesn't lay out a 5 point plan on controlling gun violence or how the income tax brackets should be calculated. Instead, it urges us to pray for wisdom and be marked by unity.
So, should we protect the unborn? A resounding yes! Where we enter into common grace is deciding the best way to go about achieving that. Some may work it through the legislative process to limit the legality of abortions. Some may want to expand government resources to young pregnant women who find themselves in difficult and overwhelming circumstances that would drive her to consider an abortion. Some may want to work at the local level to promote community involvement into pregnancy centers. Some may even decide the best deterrent for abortions is the walk alongside someone who is struggling. To invite them into their home. To speak life and grace into them. To offer hope.
Does God's word have standards about immigrants? Certainly. He says repeatedly throughout all Scripture that we should make space and show grace to immigrants and strangers in our land. But does He say specifically what a nation's immigration policy should be? Maybe someone thinks the best means to care for them is to limit the number of immigrants in a country so we can adequately provide needed resources. Maybe others feel a more liberal stance promotes the most help for them to escape dire situations and provide opportunities to flourish.
The point is this: we must operate on the common ground of God's biblical principles all the while offering common grace to those who practice those principles differently.
We expect the world to operate with divisive, one-sided, harsh, critical tones. It's difficult to live in, but we expect it. What is killing us is that the Church shows no difference. We are equally as critical and divisive. The grace by which we should be known is only reserved for those who think exactly as we do.
I leave you with this. Paul sums up what common ground with common grace looks like. Let’s start by dwelling on these commands and consider how we can love all, even our political enemies, with the marks of a genuine faith.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
’If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12: 9-21”
