How Christ Speaks Into Our Political Discourse

A new season of political discourse and divide has begun. With the second term of President Trump, more intense expressions of division and disdain have been coming from both political “sides.” More voices from each “side” have identified those on the “other side” as simply “stupid” and “complicit” in the evils of their political affiliation. [1]

The fuel for such passion lies in the fears and anger elicited by the increasingly extreme positions and personal dispositions on both political “sides.” Those who may tend to identify as conservatives are reacting to the shifts in common thinking that would have been shocking just a few years ago… in which “socialism” is deemed progressive… unrestrained entry across the southern border appears acceptable… abortion is not only dismissed as a reasonable moral issue but often deemed a proud declaration of independence… and something once as fundamental as the nature of being male or female are made a matter of self-identification. Others, who may identify as liberal, are reacting to the nature of a leader who embodies the childlike bully on the playground… whose primarily language is self-aggrandizement and publicly demeaning anyone who might threaten his ego… who freely declares blatant lies to incite fears …and for which his supporters appear to grant him unquestioning affirmation and greater control. These are the types of extremes that are fueling a cultural war in which the world is more deeply defined and divided by “us” verses “them.” 

I share some of the fears from both “sides.” I struggle with the intense feelings and judgments that arise within me. I also believe that the challenge for those who truly aspire to embrace the life and leading of Jesus, is to recognize that HOW we respond to these feelings will test our own integrity and beliefs. [2] While I believe that our specific positions on socio-political issues really matters…and will engage such in other pieces… I believe that there are ways we engage in such discourse that may reflect far more than we would like to think. I don’t presume to have any last word… but I believe we can find vital guidance in some core truths that Jesus reveals.

Jesus declared quite clearly that his “kingdom was not of this world” (John 18:36). He didn’t come to restore the nation of Israel, nor did he give much attention to the human governance of Rome… because he came to declare a Kingdom that will not be bound in or by any human governance. God had previously formed the nation of Israel and used a theocracy to begin to reveal His ways… ways which are holy and distinct from the ways of this world… and for which human nature could not fully achieve in itself. As the Scriptures explain: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. …. He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.” (Heb. 1:1-2a, 3 GNT)

There is no reason to believe that God intended a new nation would now become His kingdom on earth. Many of the Founding Father’s of America held a lofty view of God’s providence for the new nation… but they were also leaving a history behind them in which the collusion between bishops and kings had revealed the dangers of subverting spiritual allegiance to earthly power. While each of the original States initially held Christian Faith to be essential to governing… it was their Christian formed insight which recast the new nation’s leaders as servants of the people…and limited their authority. In many regards, what could be fitting in referring to America as an “exceptional” or “great” nation is the humility before God which knew the limits of any leader and therefore limited those powers. While God allows for the role of human governance to restrain evil and protect justice…. it is Christ who reigns over the powers of this world and who his followers are to lift up and reveal to the world. To give undue authority to any nation or leader is the very nature of idolatry.  

Jesus brings a change to our socio-political identity. The Apostle Paul had been a pious religious leader… at the forefront of those who had waited for God to send a warrior king that would restore Israel’s national identity and standing. He was a “patriot” of Israel….proven by his passion to silence all detractors or dissent. But when he was confronted by the true King… and his life-giving grace … his national identity…even in that of Israel… meant nothing. As he expressed,

We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. …I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! … I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:3-6, 5. 7-9  (NLT))

He no longer was defined by his national identity…but in identifying with Christ. He didn’t try to reform the nation of Israel…nor did he denounce it. He shared in various customs… identifying with Israelites when with them…or Gentiles when with them… “becoming all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22) 

The point is that we must begin by being honest about where our primary hope and allegiance lies. If Christ alone is King, then like Christ, we will not be defined by our national identity …but rather the larger rule of God. Human governance may get our vote but should never get our unquestioning affirmation or ultimate allegiance. When Jesus called the first group of lives to become his disciples… included were those who had been a part of deeply opposed socio-political groups. In time, none of them were the same as they had been. None of them simply returned to the groups they had been a part of. It may be that some of us need to begin by breaking unholy allegiances to earthly socio-political identities. Maintaining such a distinction, as Christ’s first disciples and Paul did, is essential to establishing our position in this world. It is this distinction which our world needs. 

Secondly, it is vital that we embrace our commitment to truth. 

There is a growing trend to post on social media that which hurls the worst claims towards the “other side”…without showing any value for a full and fair use of the facts…and even more notably…without ever engaging the facts about the falsehoods and failures of one’s own “side.” It has become ever more accepted in our current political wars to simply read a headline and accept it as truth and even repost it… with more value for how it can serve our narrative than for it’s veracity of truth.

When we become those who choose “truth by fit” rather than “truth by facts”…we have lost our higher calling to truth. When we are casual in our relationship to facts, we undermine our testimony to the truth of God and the Gospel. Every social media post which simply copies and pastes false claims… may feel like a win for “our side”…but is more widely revealing that we are not a reliable source for actual factual truth itself. Claims that misrepresent the full and fair truth are so common…that others can see it for what it is. By such cavalier posting, we give those who don’t yet share our beliefs good reasons to doubt that our claims about Christ have veracity. 

Furthermore, God speaks in the strongest of terms about our responsibility to be trustworthy in speaking only what is true…particularly about others. Upon releasing the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, He gives them ten commandments… ten core pillars that define how to live as a people liberated from the evil that rules the world. Lest we forget. the ninth commandment declares: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16).  Justice requires that all are trustworthy to never speak falsely against another. This was essential in the formal process of justice which required two or three witnesses…but it becomes clear that it is speaking to the very core of how we relate to one another in all matters. As the writer of Proverbs expounds even more potently,

These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], 

a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers. - Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

What becomes clear throughout Scripture, is that we are not to give in to lying, slandering, backbiting, scoffing, reviling, raising false rumors, or any forms of falsehood.[3]

Why? Because truth is the fabric that is essential to honoring the value of one another. We are called to love others as God loves…and we do not love others if we are not trustworthy with valuing actual factual truth. [4] If we violate truth we break trust.

In a world that can find pride in how well one can slander another, we do well to honestly consider if our socio-political posting and posture reflects that we honor God’s command to not bear false witness… to be trustworthy with facts. Have we simply decided that we are on the “right side” so it doesn’t really matter if what we are posting is actually factually true? Do we value the microphone “throw down” feeling more than loving others as God does by being trustworthy with truth? Do our posts reflect our pride… and a desire to impress those on “our side”…or do they reflect that our audience includes God and his love even for those who may now be enemies? Do we demonstrate that we value facts by taking time to check the facts? Do we engage that which might challenge our narratives?

It is helpful to realize that a commitment to truth by facts is liberating. It provides freedom that is essential to one’s own integrity…as it allows us freedom to recognize what God may see as good and not good regardless of “side.” There is no need to deny or bend the facts. It does not mean that we cannot still contend for what we deem true and good on various socio-political issues….it means we do so in a fair manner. 

It also provides freedom to recognize that there may be GOALS we assess and deem true and good…but which are being pursued by MEANS we assess and deem are not true and good. Freedom lies in recognizing that these are not mutually exclusive… good ends don’t justify all means…and good means don’t justify all goals. In the context of some of the major recent issues, this could mean someone could believe that reducing government spending is a valuable goal, but the process must be based on fair principles and appropriate professional insight. Rather than allowing a simplistic “good vs evil” narrative to force us to choose between two appropriate values…we can embrace a more complete degree of integrity that contends for what is true and good in both. Similarly, those on the more politically liberal side could affirm that leaders have failed to respond to the lack of control at the border…while also wanting more compassionate response to immigration. The list of how many issues will find that our integrity is more fully captured by mutual truths could go on at length….and they are often what so many actually believe to be true and good.

Such freedom will often involve a choice not to simply join in the cheers for every comment made by our “side”…a choice not to simply join all the camaraderie found in the cultural wars… but it will maintain far more relational trust throughout life.

Thirdly, we must remain those whose greatest profession is that of needing and receiving grace. As described in the Gospel of John regarding Jesus, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth….For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14, 17)

The fullness of divine grace has come in Christ. It was this grace which confronted human pride. In our shame humanity has always hidden itself by dividing the world between good and bad people. In the original story given in the Biblical Book of Genesis, we are given a picture of our foreparent trying in vain to hide his uncovered self with fig leaves…  saying the tragic choice to defy God autonomy and rule was the fault of the woman God had given him. It is a picture of shame trying to use blame. Humanity has sought to hide from it’s own shame by creating a dominant narrative which defines our moral position as a division between the “bad people” and “good people.” When Jesus entered this world, he refused to join the division created by the religious leaders or any other group. He bore the truth that “we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6). The message is clear, “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT).

When a woman caught in adultery is brought before him as a test, he famously said that “those who are without sin should cast the first stone” (John 8:1-11) …to which slowly everyone dropped their stones and walked away. The problem was not that the people were identifying a particular behavior…but rather their lack of understanding their own position. When Jesus judged the religious leaders, he was actually putting everyone on notice about the problem of self-righteousness. Jesus could not have been clearer…the world is not divided between the “good” and “bad”…but between those who respond to God’s grace and those who don’t. When we begin to judge the other side as all bad…we tend to accept our side as all good … and we begin to create new forms of the self-righteousness which Jesus confronted. As such, we do well to consider if our posts and posture on social media communicate that our primary view is a separation of “us” verses “them”…and a message of pride for being on the right “side.”

This does not imply that we cannot express critical concerns about specific positions or actions… but that it is more appropriate to focus on specific positions or actions. When we can identify what we believe is an underlying problem, rather than a group of people we label as the problem itself, we allow more potential for engaging ideas and understanding… rather than categorically judging the character and motives of others. 

This is a part of our call to be kind. We are to “speak the truth in love.” (Eph. 4:15) Such love begins with an honest regard for the other… genuinely desiring the best for their lives. This is not an invitation to some type of “brutal honesty” and “holy gotcha” attacks. The Apostle Paul had begun this instruction saying, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1-3) When the early church communities faced conflict, they understood that Jesus had not made kindness an optional virtue. They were instructed that even in disagreements, they were to seek understanding and let their words be “full of grace” rather than insults and trying to get the last word in. (Eph. 4: 29; Col. 4:6).

More than just honoring others, this is fundamental to the Gospel. It is about maintaining that the primary message we bear… is not that we are in the acceptable “good” group in a world divided between the “good” and the “bad”…but that we are those who have been humbled by grace… “amazing grace” that saves wretches like us.

I confess that sometimes I can feel better or smarter than those on another “side.” What can help challenge the vanity of such pride …is realizing that having the “right position” is not the same as “being the right kind of person.” The truth is that if all who choose to be associated with Jesus were to gather together before him and his actual commands for life… I can only imagine we would find ourselves more united in humility. Who among us is actually sacrificially caring for the least among us… loving our enemies… being persecuted for our allegiance to him? Those who might do so most… would likely be those most humble about it. The point is that the effect of knowing Jesus is that of discovering a deep humility… which we do well to never lose. Such humility does not silence one’s potency to speak truth…but rather allows that voice to welcome others into a common ground in the space of grace. 

Finally, we must resist a version of “Christianity” that is shaped by anyone other than Christ. 

Each of us will do well to realize that socio-political forces will try to create a version of “Christianity” in their image. … to validate themselves… and by extension…  by validating us. 

This is what concerns me most. So many people’s postures and positions appear quite different than the way they had once understood and followed Jesus. While it may simply be a part of common changes through life, it seems to reflect the influence of political narratives that seek to define our world and it’s events. 

As I previously have written [5], “A “narrative” refers to the plot that explains what is happening...like an unfolding movie in which we think we have figured out who the bad guy is... and what they are really doing and seeking... and in turn, who can be trusted. There is a type of comfort that comes with a narrative that explains and resolves the complications. Various political views are essentially presenting such a narrative... a plot to understand what is really happening...who the good and trusted characters are ... and who the bad and untrusting characters are. 

The challenge with such narratives is realizing that because of how they can serve and satisfy ... we become attached to their story and more certain of what they tell us. We assume that the masses on the “other side” are drinking the Kool-Aid and we don’t want to consider the same level of how we are being served our narrative.” 

While this is a far larger issue which I will engage in a subsequent piece…I believe it is helpful for those who aspire to be followers of Christ, to honestly ask themselves if their way of seeing others…of speaking about others…has come to sound more like the socio-political leaders and commentators they listen to… than the voice of Jesus. I believe that for now, some healthy first steps are those addressed in this piece. Honoring Christ as Lord in our political discourse begins in deciding that we have only one king… only one primary hope and allegiance… and then exercising this with our commitment to being trustworthy with truth, to hold love for our enemies, and to boast only in grace.

In closing, allow me to reiterate some points more briefly.

Don’t drink the Kool-Aid from whatever political “side” we may tend to identify with. While political leaders may serve the common good in ways which should be appreciated, there is a dimension of our socio-political systems that is designed to offer self- affirmation in exchange for our affirmation and allegiance. Don’t accept the exchange. It will change you. 

Recognize the legitimate fears that others have… and even affirm the legitimate problems that may be a part of our own “side.” 

Value truth by valuing facts…not just forcing facts to fit our narrative. Every time we accept something as true, or worse, we copy and paste it, simply because it serves our view….we have made a decision about our relationship to truth. Take some time to verify claims… to do some fact checking… to value countering testimony.  Be open to what may challenge our initial perspectives. 

Don’t simply divide the world between “good” and “bad” people… or you may find you have lost the story of grace you once knew. Let our own need for grace guide our heart and mind. It is humility that will serve us most.

Be filled with hope in knowing that Christ remains distinct…and shines more distinctly in the truth and grace he bears. Every kingdom on earth will rise and fall… but he represents that which rules over all… and will prevail…and is never ending. 

Notes:

1. Article: Why Republicans and Democrats see their own parties’ lies as more acceptable: New research finds that voters view politicians’ lies about policies as justifiable because they signal partisan loyalty.- Featured Researcher Clayton R. Critcher; Caitlin Kizielewicz; June 29, 2022 - https://newsroom.haas.berkeley.edu/research/why-republicans-and-democrats-see-their-own-parties-lies-as-more-acceptable/

2. It is important to begin by acknowledging what we fear. However, we must recognize that fear and anger do not simply serve what is true and good. Fear and anger… like all emotions… serve as a symptom of something more than a diagnosis. They are a reaction…often a defensive reaction. Anger is often a reaction to feeling hurt… to experiencing something which has caused us to feel a loss of power or control. Anger can provide a way of feeling strong… though it is often only a pseudo strength… to avoid engaging hurt because hurt reflects that we are vulnerable. As such, human anger is that which we are often afraid to explore more deeply. We may not want to let go of it because it is giving us a feeling of strength. 

Most importantly, we must recognize that fear and anger, as defensive reactions, are not going to be entirely rational or fair. Just as with any bodily symptom, like a fever or rash, the reactions can overcompensate and become dangerous in themselves. So as the Scriptures teach us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20; also: Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 29:11; Colossians 3:13)

3. It is sobering to hear that gossip and slander are included in the transgressions that merit God's wrath (Romans 1)…and that God’s greatest judgment refers not only to those who are murderers…but to “all liars” (Revelation 21:8.) 

4. While the world around us doesn’t expect us to “love” our enemies…and generally operates with the common idea of love as an affection between aligned lives… God bears a divine type of love which cares for all. God is love. We are to love as God loves. And this type of divine "love rejoices with the truth" (1 Cor. 13:6). 

5. “Relating Well In Divided Times” - https://pastorbradbailey.com/blog/relating-well-in-divided-times