The Church Revitalization Podcast – Episode 250
In a time of heightened political tension and divisive rhetoric, Christians face a unique challenge: How can we engage in healthy political discourse while staying true to our faith and maintaining integrity as believers? The current political climate often pushes us towards extreme positions, making it difficult to find common ground or even maintain civil conversations with those who hold different views. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard – one that emphasizes love, respect, and understanding, even in the face of disagreement.
By drawing on biblical principles and practical wisdom, we can learn to “love our political neighbors” while still standing firm in our convictions. Whether you’re feeling frustrated by the current state of political dialogue or simply seeking ways to engage more meaningfully in civic life, these insights can help foster more productive and Christ-like interactions in the political sphere.
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Commitment to Truth and Integrity
In today’s political landscape, where misinformation and half-truths often dominate the conversation, Christians are called to a higher standard: an unwavering commitment to truth and integrity. This commitment goes beyond simply avoiding outright lies; it requires a genuine pursuit of factual accuracy and honesty in all our political engagements.
As believers, our foundation for truth comes from God’s Word. However, in political discourse, we must also be diligent in verifying information from reliable sources before sharing or acting upon it. This may mean taking extra time to fact-check claims, even when they align with our preferred narratives. It also involves being willing to acknowledge when we’ve made mistakes or when new information challenges our existing beliefs.
Integrity in political discourse means maintaining consistency between our words and actions, regardless of whether we’re interacting with those who agree or disagree with us. It means resisting the temptation to use misleading statistics or out-of-context quotes, even if they seem to support our position. By prioritizing truth and integrity, we not only honor God but also build credibility and trust with others, opening doors for more meaningful dialogue.
Moreover, a commitment to truth requires humility. We must be open to the possibility that our understanding may be incomplete or that others might have valid perspectives we haven’t considered. This humility allows us to engage in political conversations not as all-knowing arbiters of truth, but as fellow seekers striving to understand complex issues more fully.
By anchoring ourselves in truth and integrity, we create a solid foundation for all our political interactions. This commitment sets the tone for respectful, productive conversations and demonstrates to a watching world that our faith informs every aspect of our lives, including our political engagement.
Respect and Civility
When political discourse often devolves into personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric, Christians are called to model respect and civility in their interactions. This approach isn’t about avoiding disagreement or watering down our convictions; rather, it’s about recognizing the inherent dignity of every person, even those with whom we strongly disagree.
Respectful engagement begins with listening. Instead of immediately formulating counterarguments, we should strive to truly understand others’ perspectives. This means asking thoughtful questions, seeking clarification, and acknowledging valid points, even if we don’t agree with their overall position. By doing so, we demonstrate that we value the person behind the opinion, not just the potential to win an argument.
Civility in political discourse involves controlling our tone and choice of words, especially in heated moments. It means refraining from name-calling, ad hominem attacks, or dismissive language. Instead, we should focus on addressing ideas and policies, not attacking individuals or groups. This approach helps maintain open lines of communication and prevents conversations from deteriorating into unproductive arguments.
It’s important to remember that respect and civility don’t equate to weakness or compromise. We can firmly stand for our beliefs while still treating others with kindness and consideration. In fact, a respectful approach often opens doors for more meaningful dialogue and can be more persuasive than aggressive tactics.
Biblical Principles
Our ultimate guide should be the teachings of Scripture. Biblical principles provide a solid foundation for how we approach civic engagement and interact with others in the political sphere.
One key biblical principle is the command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). In the context of political discussions, this means treating those with differing views with the same respect and consideration we’d want for ourselves. It challenges us to see beyond political labels and recognize the image of God in every person, regardless of their party affiliation or ideological stance.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of unity among believers (Ephesians 4:3, John 17:20-23). While this doesn’t mean agreeing on every political issue, it does challenge us to find ways to maintain fellowship and cooperation with other Christians across political divides. We should be known more for our love for one another than for our political affiliations.
Scripture encourages us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). In the political arena, this might involve seeking common ground, mediating conflicts, or finding creative solutions that address the concerns of multiple parties. It doesn’t mean avoiding all conflict, but rather approaching disagreements with a spirit of reconciliation and problem-solving.
By grounding our political engagement in these and other biblical principles, we ensure that our approach aligns with our faith. It helps us maintain a Kingdom perspective, reminding us that while political engagement is important, our primary citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). This outlook can help us navigate political waters with wisdom, grace, and an eternal perspective.
Prayer and Discernment
Prayer should be our first resort, not our last, when it comes to political engagement. It’s a powerful tool that helps align our hearts with God’s will and provides clarity in complex situations. We should pray for wisdom in our own decision-making and interactions, as well as for our leaders, communities, and nation as a whole. Prayer can also help us maintain a humble and open attitude, recognizing our own limitations and need for divine guidance.
Discernment, closely linked with prayer, involves carefully evaluating information, situations, and potential courses of action in light of God’s wisdom. In the political realm, this means taking time to thoughtfully consider issues from multiple angles, rather than reacting impulsively based on partisan talking points or emotional appeals. It requires us to look beyond surface-level rhetoric and dig deeper into the potential impacts and underlying principles of various policies or positions.
Moreover, prayer and discernment can provide a much-needed “cool-off” period before engaging in potentially heated political discussions. Taking a moment to pray and reflect before responding to a provocative post on social media or entering a difficult conversation can help us approach the situation with a calmer, more Christ-like demeanor.
Active Participation
Active participation in the political process is not just a civic duty, but an opportunity to influence our society for the better and to live out our faith in tangible ways.
Active participation goes beyond simply casting a vote every few years. It involves staying informed about local, national, and global issues, understanding the political processes that shape our communities, and finding ways to make our voices heard.
Active participation also means engaging in respectful dialogue with those who hold different views. By participating in constructive conversations, we can help bridge divides, find common ground, and work towards solutions that benefit everyone.
Remember that abstaining from political engagement doesn’t make us neutral; it simply allows others to make decisions that will affect us and our communities. By actively participating, we have the opportunity to bring Christian values and perspectives into the public square, advocating for justice, compassion, and human dignity.
At the same time, we must maintain a balanced perspective, recognizing that while political engagement is important, it is not our ultimate source of hope or identity. Our active participation should always be tempered by our primary allegiance to God’s kingdom and our trust in His sovereignty over human affairs.
Bridge-Building
Bridge-building starts with a willingness to listen and learn. Instead of immediately dismissing opposing viewpoints, take the time to understand the reasoning and experiences that have shaped others’ perspectives. This doesn’t mean compromising your own beliefs, but rather expanding your understanding of complex issues and the diverse ways people approach them.
Look for shared values and goals, even when specific policy solutions differ. For example, most people want safe communities, good education, and economic opportunity, regardless of their political affiliation. By focusing on these common desires, we can start conversations from a place of agreement rather than conflict.
Be willing to collaborate on issues where there is common ground. This might mean working together on local community projects, supporting bipartisan legislation, or joining forces to address specific problems that transcend party lines. These collaborative efforts can help build relationships and trust that extend beyond single issues.
As bridge-builders, we have the opportunity to be peacemakers in our communities and to show that it’s possible to hold strong convictions while still treating others with respect and dignity. This approach not only benefits our political discourse but also serves as a powerful witness to the unifying power of the Gospel.
Focus on Long-Term Solutions
In the fast-paced world of politics, it’s easy to get caught up in short-term victories or immediate crises. However, as Christians engaging in political discourse, we should strive to focus on long-term solutions that address root causes and promote lasting positive change.
This long-term perspective begins with recognizing that many of society’s most pressing issues are complex and deeply rooted. They often require sustained effort and multifaceted approaches rather than quick fixes. By advocating for and supporting comprehensive, well-thought-out solutions, we can contribute to more meaningful and enduring progress.
Recognize that significant change often happens incrementally. While we should maintain our ideals and long-term goals, we should also be willing to support steps in the right direction, even if they don’t achieve everything we hope for immediately. This approach allows for progress while continuing to work towards more comprehensive solutions.
Remember that God’s timeline is often different from our own. As Christians, we should balance our desire for immediate action with patience and trust in God’s larger plan. This perspective can help us persist in working towards important goals, even when progress seems slow.
By focusing on long-term solutions, we demonstrate wisdom, foresight, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of our communities and nation.
Promotion of Peace
As followers of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are called to be peacemakers in all aspects of our lives, including our political engagement. Promoting peace in the political arena doesn’t mean avoiding all conflict or disagreement, but rather approaching issues and interactions in a way that fosters understanding, reduces hostility, and works towards constructive solutions.
Start by examining your own heart and motives. Are your political actions and words driven by a desire for peace and the common good, or by anger, fear, or a need to “win”? Regularly check your intentions and ask God to align your heart with His desire for peace.
Practice de-escalation in political conversations. When tensions rise, be the one to take a step back, lower your voice, and redirect the conversation to more productive channels. This might mean acknowledging areas of agreement, asking thoughtful questions, or suggesting a pause in the discussion.
Actively work to counteract divisive rhetoric and “us vs. them” mentalities. Highlight our shared humanity and common aspirations, even when discussing areas of disagreement. Avoid using language that demonizes or dehumanizes those with different political views.
Pray for peace in your community, nation, and world. Encourage others to join you in praying for our leaders, for wisdom in addressing complex issues, and for healing of societal divisions.
Look for opportunities to build relationships across political divides. Personal connections can go a long way in reducing hostility and fostering mutual understanding. Consider engaging in community service projects alongside people with different political views, focusing on shared goals rather than differences. It may open doors for Gospel conversations, too.
A.J. Mathieu is the President of the Malphurs Group. He is passionate about helping churches thrive and travels internationally to teach and train pastors to lead healthy disciple-making churches. A.J. lives in the Ft. Worth, Texas area, enjoys the outdoors, and loves spending time with his wife and two sons. Click here to email A.J.
