How can Christians navigate an increasingly polarized and militant political divide for the sake of the Gospel – and our sanity!?

Though this post has been a few weeks in the making, yesterday’s attempt on former President Trump’s life has added an extra sense of urgency to the need for Americans – and especially Christians – to reexamine the nature of our political discourse. One BBC reporter aptly described the current political atmosphere as “ bare-knuckle partisan trench-warfare”.  Like the bloody and futile battles of World War One, Americans have dug deep into their opposing positions, hidden behind the sandbags of their opinions and the media sources that favor their beliefs, looking across the field of battle at an enemy they must vanquish, lest their ideal vision of America comes crashing down.  Tragically, bloodshed seems all but inevitable when you are conditioned – fomented by appeals to your basest emotions of fear and outrage –  to see your fellow Americans primarily as dubious and wicked enemies, and not as your fellow countrymen.  Not only does such partisanship destabilize the country, but for Christians who are taken away by such rhetoric, it also undermines our joy, our hope, and our public witness.   

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If you have not yet read Enemy Love – our article on how we, as Christians, should treat those who call us their enemy, you may want to give it a read. It sets the stage for this article, laying a foundation of self-sacrifice, service, and love to those who would be our enemies.

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An Odd Duck

I’ll say it.  I’m a bit of an odd duck.  I intentionally listen to both NPR and Fox News.  In a given week, I may consume news from a half dozen or more really diverse sources.  A lot of what I hear, I don’t agree with – both liberal and conservative – and both the divide and the positions each party represents appear to only be getting worse.  

Add to the above, my probably not-so-unique experience of having extended family that hold very different views from each other.  Every summer, I have the opportunity to experience an interesting juxtaposition as we visit our families back to back.  Bryn and I’s parents have a lot in common.  They are educated and intelligent people, middle class, from pretty humble beginnings.  Both of our moms had a long career in education.  Both of our dads worked in the corporate world for the majority of their careers.  Yet politically speaking, they are polar opposites.  Visiting them back to back, we can see the contrast, not just in their views, but in the information they have and have not heard.  Yet even in this, they hold one thing in common – a deep and profound conviction – felt to the core – that finds it is inconceivable that a caring human being could support such people and policies as those they oppose.    

I’m not the first, and I hope not the last, to point out the deep and growing chasm in the fabric of American democracy.  In the last two or so decades in particular, our culture has shifted from viewing our political opponents as fellow Americans with whom we disagree (sometimes even strongly) to enemies of the State and traitors that must be vanquished in order for the American experiment to survive.      

The level of vitriol and hatred that is excused – and even encouraged and lauded – in today’s America is, at its core, an expression of pride.  Whenever we think we’re better than others, no matter the reason, we are missing the point, giving in to the basest and most destructive of human impulses.  And yet, as both the 1850’s and 1960’s make plain, it’s not the first time we’ve trodden this road.

A Bad Litmus Test

Up to this point, we’ve been discussing the evils that live “out there”.  It’s easy to point to how “they” miss the mark – how our culture just keeps missing the point.  Perhaps every bone in your body wants to go out and give that person on the other side of the political no-man’s-zone the what’s for.  Certainly, social media has made it really easy to launch so-called “truth bombs” over enemy lines. Yet somehow, that only seems to make things worse.  

But the upside-down economy of the Gospel says something very different.  Don’t worry about others – at least no primarily.  Look to yourself first.  And If we are to believe the Bible, there is, I fear, a dire need to address what’s happening within our hearts, and within our churches, first and foremost.  

There is a growing trend in the American church that has created a sort of litmus test which must be passed if you’re going to be considered a true Christian.  In Evangelical circles, that test is typically whether you are committed to voting Republican and supporting the party’s planks and representatives.  If you are not, or if you have reservations, many will write you off as either a carnal Christian, if not all-together reprobate. 

In more mainline denominations, you’ll find a similar, yet opposite test.  If you are not willing to stand up and fight against the evil Republican party, you cannot truly love people.  To support the Republican agenda and their politicians is seen as a rejection of the love of Christ – a clear indication that your faith is suspect at best.  

“1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” 

Matthew 7:1-5, NASB1995  

Recently, I was studying Matthew 7, and the culture’s all-time favorite Bible verse; “judge not, that ye be not judged” (not sure why our modern culture is such a fan of The King James Version…). As I was reading, I had what I believe was a Holy Spirit-illuminated light bulb moment.  See if this tracks with the flow of the passage: The difference Jesus is describing here between right judging and wrong judging isn’t primarily or ultimately in method, but in motive.  Wrong judging seeks to penalize your opponent and stand over them as their judge.  But right judging, looks first to the ugly reality of my own sin before a holy God (and by implication, the mercy and grace I continue to receive from His hand), and only then, with a loving desire to restore, humbly seeks to address my opponent’s transgression.  The difference is night and day.   

I am of Trump, I am of Biden

“10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 

1 Corinthians 1:10-13, NASB1995  

But back to these blue and red litmus tests. Is this not the exact type of division Paul was warning against in his letter to the Corinthian church.  Barley a paragraph into his letter, Paul addresses a serious issue that is threatening the very life of the church.  It isn’t false teachers and it isn’t bad theology, though he will address those serious concerns in his letters as well.  No, what he addresses first is partisan divisions.  Instead of seeking unity in their differences, the people of Corinth have attached themselves to pastors – even to Christ himself.  This is not some expression of humble agreement with the specific emphasis of Paul, or Apollos, or Peter (all of them were well regarded and faithful teachers), but a prideful elevation of not only the men themselves, but given what I see in my own heart, I suspect it was even more so a craving for the station and superiority the Corinthians felt they gained from aligning themselves with these powerful men.  

“15 And [Jesus] said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” 

Luke 16:15, ESV

And, as the passage above reminds us, such a self-aggrandizing motive is wrong, even if you are associating yourself with Christ, Himself.  It is nothing short of pride – an attitude God abominates (see also Proverbs 6:16-17). This is just another flavor of the same sin Christ so clearly condemned in Luke 16 – Whenever we act with a self-exalting motive (notice Christ’s point that God knows their hearts), we are acting in a way that God hates.  It is, quite literally, the antithesis of the boast-killing core of the Gospel (Ephesians 2:8,9) – and as such, it is no small thing.  This is incredibly serious!          

Neither claiming you must vote Republican or Democrat in order to be a true, faithful and virtuous Christian is a remotely Biblical test.  Yes, proponents of such tests may rightly point to Bible verses that describe Christian practice and beliefs which one side or the other denies by their policies and practices. But in order for us to make such exclusive claims, do we not often lay aside equally compelling commands of Scripture that stand in stark contrast with our own party’s policies. In essence, each of these divisions make an unintentional (and often unconscious) list of which sins are acceptable and which ones are damnable.  In order to elevate ourselves and our allegiances, just like the Corinthians, we, by default, start ranking right and wrong in ways the Bible simply doesn’t.  And if we’re honest, those lists change depending upon whether it is our enemy or our ally that is found guilty.

But What is Best?

As part of our But is it Best series, let’s take a look at at least one approach to help us best engage both fellow believers, and the culture at large – not just for political gain, but for abiding Gospel fruit.

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If you haven’t yet read the introductory post, which makes the case for a sort of full-throttle Christianity that seeks to maximize our lives for the cause of Christ, you may want to give it a read:

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“14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men…21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“

Romans 12:14-18, 21 NASB1995

When we look out on the political landscape in 2024 – especially after yesterday’s events, and the heartless and vile barrage of rhetoric and finger pointing that has already surfaced while two people critically injured in the shooting are still fighting for their lives – it can be easy to lose hope.  How can we be light and life in a war zone blindingly ablaze with the fires of hatred and vitriol?  Below, are 8 helps, mined as applications from Paul’s words to the then-small and marginalized church in Rome, who themselves, were living through murderous and tumultuous political times under Nero’s reign – and who would soon face systematic persecution on a massive scale.  

This list isn’t easy, but in as much as it’s prescribed by God, it is right.  And while not explicitly given here, these commands are deeply rooted in the bedrock truths of the previous 11 chapters of Romans.  These truths remind us of the Gospel glories of a mighty God, working all things to the good of His people, ensuring that each and every one of His saints He will uphold, persevere, and ultimately bring safely home.  With that amazing context in mind, here’s 8 ways to point to Christ in our political discourse:  

1. Bless those who persecute you (12:14, 17) – Though our flesh demands justice, we are to remember that it is by grace alone He saved us, and God did so while we were still his enemies.  This should cause us to see even those who would make themselves our enemies as objects of our friendship and benevolence. No matter how harshly treated, we should respond in love, kindness and blessing.  
2. Rejoice in all that is good (12:15) – When we see true good, regardless of which side of the battle lines it is found, we should be eager to praise it.  It should bring us joy to see good being done, even if it isn’t our “team” doing the good at that moment.  Build a habit of celebrating true, biblically-defined good wherever it is found. 
3. Weep with those who suffer (12:15) – So too, we should be quick to run to those who are suffering, regardless of their political affiliation. When something bad happens to our political opponent, we shouldn’t just give token platitudes, but truly and meaningfully seek their wellbeing.  We should never be counted among the ranks of those who rejoice in our opponent’s inabilities, difficulties or trials.    
4. Seek Biblical unity in the Church (12:16) – We should not allow secondary issues to become justification for uncharitable and judgmental attitudes towards those who hold different views from our own.  As James 1:19 prescribes, we should intentionally seek to understand our opponents and their motives as well as they themselves do. We ought to give them the benefit of the doubt whenever possible, and humbly ask respectful, Scripture-based questions when it is not.  We should avoid all escalating and dismissive language, but rather seek to find mutual understanding and encouragement, even if agreement is not possible.   
5. Kill all vestiges of pride and self-exaltation (12:16) – Perhaps the greatest enemy of unity is pride, and it must be put to death.  Not only is pride the antithesis of the Gospel, it is self-exalting by nature.  Pride leads to the closed ears and open mouths of arrogant presumption.  As Matthew 7 warns, pride looks out on others in anger as their judge, but we should be moved by love, seeking others’ restoration and wellbeing.     
6. Always uphold what is right, no matter the audience (12:17) – Perhaps you’ve gotten this far down the list and thought, “Well this all sounds awfully soft!  What about confronting sin?”  As Christians, we are called to uphold what is right, and just a few verses earlier, in 12:9, we are commanded to hate evil.  But the question is, when we speak out against sin, are we doing everything in our power to present the danger and dread of sin as a fellow beggar who is just as much in need of God’s grace, or do we give the impression that we are standing in prideful judgment over those who just aren’t getting it? In as much as it depends on you, even speaking out against sin should be winsome, redemptive, and clearly loving, so that even your most ardent opponent can say, “I hate what they believe, but I can’t deny that they love me.”
7. Whenever possible, seek peace with everyone (12:18) – Though not our ultimate goal, it should always be a priority to pursue peace with everyone.  We should carry ourselves, speak, write and act in such a way that it’s clear we are people who pursue peace.  But, we must never make peace supreme, lest we begin to compromise Christian precepts in the pursuit of a false peace that actually hurts people in the end.  There is no love in allowing people to think all is well when their eternity hangs in the balance.
8. Overcome evil with good (12:21) – And finally, coming full circle from verse 14, we should not allow evil to overcome us – either by becoming complicit with it, or despairing because of it.  Rather, we should overcome evil – trusting that the mighty power and amazing grace of God, which brought our own dead bones to life, is able to do the same for others.  Indeed, may we be such a tool in the Redeemer’s hands!

Our Only Hope is Their Only Hope

“12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” 

1 Peter 2:12, ESV

Finally, a word of encouragement from the Apostle Peter.  Encapsulating some of the same things we just saw in Paul’s writings, we see this amazing progression from death to life.  As we seek to be honorable and gracious to the world around us, even as we uphold things for which the culture would call us evildoers, yet as our response to their hatred is love and not hate, kindness instead of tit for tat, something glorious might just happen!  They might see this other-worldly sort of love that isn’t swayed by the evil done to it, and be so transformed, beholding Christ and becoming no longer enemies, but fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Never forget, friends, that we are aliens and exiles in this world (1 Peter 2:11), and while there is much to celebrate in being Americans, this is not our home, and it is to Christ, not Republicans, not Democrats, and not even to America, that we owe our ultimate allegiance. As citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, and as with Paul, ambassadors of it (2 Corinthians 5:20), our highest and most precious calling is to point people not to a party or politician, but to the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords – representing Him in all we say and do!

Might the Lord, in His overflowing wisdom and grace, make us the sort of people who love our enemies well – that by the grace of God, they might be won – not necessarily to our political side – but to the Lord Himself!