BOOK: Compassion (&) Conviction

By Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, Chris Butler | Amazon.com | 160 pages
Published in July of 2020

SUMMARY: Many Christian American voters are tossed about by their ideological political party as they lack a framework for engagement. Instead of the Bible dictating a Christian’s politics, partisan politics dictate what Christians go to the Bible for. For Christians, this should not be so. In Compassion (&) Conviction, Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler clearly and succinctly explain why Christians should be involved in politics, define a biblical framework for approaching politics, explain how Christians can engage in partnership with those that hold different values, and show how Christians can be distinctly Christian in the public square.

“To avoid or dismiss political engagement is to forgo an important opportunity to help our neighbors and to promote the righteousness and justice that are the foundation of God’s throne. (Psalm 89:14),” they write. “How can we be salt and light if we have no contact with society (Matthew 5:13-16)–especially in an arena with such a significant and broad impact on society?

“Christians should engage politics because doing so provides us with a robust opportunity to love our neighbor by acting justly, promoting human flourishing, and seeking the prosperity of our community.”

The foundation of Compassion (&) Conviction‘s political framework is rooted in the love of God and the love of neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This love of neighbor comes from the distinctly Christian doctrine of the image of God which states that because we are made in the image of God all humans, regardless of race, sex, or any other defining characteristic, are worthy of dignity and respect (Genesis 1:27).  This Imago Dei foundation leads to the pursuit of justice for the quartet of the vulnerable (widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor).

“Scripture teaches that human beings are made in the image of God, and we believe that understanding should be respected in our laws and society. The Christian tradition offers a deep concern for the person and for personhood: people are not to be treated as tools or mere economic units but as whole human beings who are meant to thrive and flourish. We must affirm human dignity.”

After providing a strong Biblical foundation to build from, the trio begin crafting the walls of the framework for Christian political engagement. They explain what the separation of church and state means, provide the basics of American government, and what the purpose of government is.

When we engage in politics we must reject the binary choices that are often presented to us by politicians and reframe the questions from a distinctly Christian point of view. There is no Christian party, Christian candidate, or Christian policy. We must have the humility and grace to recognize that faithful Christians can come to different conclusions. Compassion and conviction must be a both/and statement not an either/or.

“When it comes to political ideology, to be conservative or progressive at all times and on every issue is not only to be intellectually lazy and easily manipulated but also it’s unfaithful,” the authors write. “Neither progressivism nor conservatism satisfies the love or truth imperatives of the gospel. Both fall outside of a biblical framework. Christians must recognize the failings and blind spots in their own political party and ideological tribe in order to avoid indoctrination and to faithfully correct unexamined assumptions.”

Since we will be interacting with people of a variety of faiths and no faith the authors use the term cobelligerents (a person who may not have any sufficient basis for taking the right position, but takes the right position on a single issue), coined by American theologian Francis Schaeffer, to help guide us. When working with other people and organizations that do not share our beliefs it is imperative that we do our homework and guard against “partisan and ideological indoctrination.” We must never “blindly follow our partners or overlook immorality and bad tactics or strategies for the sake of the movement.” In a nutshell, we should be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).”

“Partnership does not require unanimity on every issue. Anytime someone knows you’ll agree with everything they say, they’ll very quickly lose respect for you. This is certainly relevant to the situation of Christians in both political parties. To maintain a healthy partnership, Christians must be willing to check their partners and question their tactics and strategies.”

This evaluation of partnerships extends to the political rhetoric we read or watch. We should not be easily manipulated when a politician says a phrase that disgusts or resonates with us. We must be smart, shrewd, and slow to anger. Once again, we should do our homework before discussing a policy and not regurgitate or perpetuate the same old tired talking points.

“It’s unfortunate when believers are passionate about their opinions yet aren’t informed or able to clearly articulate their point of view. This is not how Christians should conduct themselves when they go about the Father’s business in the public square. Well-prepared believers can do great work for Christ with words.”

The final three chapters are devoted to race and politics (do your homework!), the place advocacy and protest have in the public sphere (there is a place for both, but both must be done with humility and respect), and the importance of civility.

“In politics, civility shows itself in respect for disagreement and in granting others the right to express it. Civility shows itself when we acknowledge the best in our political opponents’ line of thinking and the best in our political opponents themselves. Civility is mercy and forgiveness. It is a form of public grace.”

The final chapter is an exhortation for Christians to get involved rooted in a compelling “why” which comes full circle to loving our neighbor. We do not participate in politics to be on the winning team or fight cultural battles. We do not put our hope in a political party, candidate, or policy. We get involved to show that God values all life and wants his creation to flourish.

“All civic and political (especially if it is going to be effective and long term) must be rooted in a clear and compelling why.  The why is the great purpose that drives a person to think critically, speak clearly, act boldly, and endure the challenges inherent to the beautiful mess that is government in a democratic society.”

Compassion (&) Conviction provides the Biblical framework for Christians to be able to articulate why Christians should be involved in politics. This isn’t a book that tells you who to vote for or what to vote for, but how to approach, collaborate, and be involved in politics Christianly, and is a must-read for every Christian.

KEY QUOTE: “To avoid or dismiss political engagement is to forgo an important opportunity to help our neighbors and to promote the righteousness and justice that are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14).”

BONUS: Check out the video below to learn what the AND Campaign is all about.

---

---