Curated topics for a disillusioned church
Articles that address politics. Make sure to check out our politics resource page for all of the curated media on politics.
While this was penned in 2012 after President Obama was re-elected, just cross out Obama and put Trump or Biden or whoever our next president is and the truth still rings out. Yes, we are commanded in the Bible to honor our leaders. Yes, we should pray for them. And yes, we should continue to advocate for justice with respect and humility.
Pastor Brian Zahnd of Word of Life (Saint Joseph, Missouri) offers a ten-point guide encouraging Christians to approach politics with humility, love, and civility. Zahnd stresses that while political engagement is important, it should not overshadow the core Christian values of love and unity.
No political party, candidate, or law can have a Christian's allegiance. If one of those political entities does, it is political idolatry. Pastor Cameron Triggs of Grave Alive (Orlando, FL) provides several principles, including that candidates are fallible and neither party is Christian, as ways to keep our idolatry in check.
Mental health counselor William Bowes says that pride, the moralization of politics, and the politicization of morals are three major reasons why people are contentious when discussing politics. How do we solve those issues as Christians? By turning off cable news and learning about different perspectives, by treating everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their political views, and by engaging in conversation with an abundance of humility.
Because the Bible touches on all areas of life, including politics, ERLC director David Closson says Christians should engage because the Christian worldview addresses all areas of life, politics are unavoidable, politics are a way to love our neighbor, and government restrains evil and promotes good.
The certainty that some Christians have that one political party is right and one political party is wrong has led to name-calling, condescending remarks, and, at extreme times, canceling family and friends. Oftentimes there is negligible distinction between how Christians a
Founder and president of the Center for Christianity and Public Life Michael Wear says that American political parties put an improper moral burden on its people. Political parties are incentivized to cater to the public as a brand rather than appeal to the voters on specific issues. This strategy results in people believing something because they are part of a political party instead of educating themselves on specific issues. With that in mind, Wear suggests three concepts to consider while voting: Jesus is not confused about how our politics works, Christians don't go into politics for self-interest alone, and listen to others particularly those that disagree with us.
What is one way to love our neighbors? By extending empathy. One Million Thumprints founder Belinda Bauman believes empathy is one of the keys to healing a divided nation because it teaches us to love which in turn teaches us to listen.
Author Michael Wear argues that most Christians, specifically those who live in a democratic society, have an obligation to participate in politics as it is one of the ways we can love our neighbors. Yet, he humbly admits that he may be wrong and there are certain instances where opting out of the political sphere may be the correct action to take.
Pastors have no problem guiding believers on how to follow Jesus in marriage, in the workplace, or at school, but few breach the subject of politics. In that vacuum social media and cable news does the discipling--not a pastor and not the Bible. Pastor Sam Haist of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (Indianapolis, IL) encourages pastors to provide parishioners with a distinctly Christian Biblical framework for how to engage in politics. He suggests focusing on principles before policies, using the curriculum developed by the Center for Public Justice, and prioritizing love which means treating people with dignity and respect in addition to a large dose of humility.
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