And the Other Reasons I'm Vocal about the Church and Politics
Those who know, read, and converse regularly with me will not be surprised when I say I’ve been a strong critic of the current theo-political identity of the American Evangelical Church (hereafter, AEC). It’s a phenomenon I observe to be a devastatingly unhealthy marriage of politics with faith—my faith.
I speak to this from the vantage point of a Christian worldview, and more specifically from a member of what would otherwise be known as the evangelical community. I say otherwise, because I recognize the identity absorbing that label is tacitly not evangelical—and thus, I reject the notion that I am, at least via the standard of what has become known as “evangelicalism.”
In short, and without offering a critique of anyone’s political views, per se, I am deeply disturbed with people, most from within the AEC, co-opting the pure theology of my faith and grafting it to their politics. I would say “grafting” may even be too light a term, given how some have made this theology bow and contort to their politics. These politics are a vividly nationalistic, fear-driven brand of conspiracy-soaked conservatism, marked with a nervous impulse to maintain a precarious and ever-threatened level of control upon communities, states, and this Nation, while the place of White Protestantism in the societal structure grows less and less special with each passing year.
Some of the outward manifestations of this identity are seen in a “spiritual” defense of the current President (Donald Trump). These possess a crafty knack for using religious metaphors to not only support him politically, but to justify—even champion—his characteristically unsavory and objectively ignoble behavior.
To Clarify
Here, it is absolutely vital to note that I am not taking conservatives to task. It may feel like that is the case, but it’s not the intent whatsoever. I do not hide the fact that for several interrelated reasons of conscience and perspective, I voted for Donald Trump the first go ‘round. Observing the totality of his abusiveness, for a longer period of time, however, I was unable to do so a second time. Nevertheless, I fully understand and appreciate the worldview dynamics behind the support of particular platforms, both from the right and the left. I also realize that views on specific issues are often so strong to some, that voting for a particular candidate, as unpalatable as they may be, is akin to swallowing a bitter pill for a far greater gain.
As a Christian, I am wholly aware of the sort of conscience pulling behind voting for man like Donald Trump. Done in the name of preserving issues consistent to one’s values on matters like abortion, education, religious liberty, immigration, the economy, appointees, and so on, it is well beyond me to assume anyone vote otherwise than what they did.
To be fair, I am equally appreciative and sensitive to that same quandary my Christian friends and family on the liberal side of that coin are in.
The Greater Issue
Regardless of that clarification, what I am prepared to take to task is the Americanization of the Christian faith, under the guise of “Christian patriotism,” which celebrates and upholds President Trump as a figure divinely appointed “for such a time as this.” I am taking a charge at “prophets” who clad themselves in American flags and contort passages from the Hebrew Scriptures as evidence that this Country is a “covenant nation” established by and under God, and that Donald Trump is a faithful and godly servant of the Most High’s sovereign plan. I am shouting against the voices within the AEC who are naming democrat leaders, and liberals in general, as evil, “demonic,” “agents of Satan.” I am also pointing the finger, publicly, at my fellow in-the-pew believers who are gleefully cheering on, promoting, and even themselves adopting, the degradating character of this figure.
This is an abomination of my dearly held faith. And I will offer one example to paint the portrait most clearly.
In a recent article published by Charisma, an evangelical leader was chastising Christians for not standing with the President in his still completely unfounded fight against a “fraudulent” election. He stated that aside from a few loyal surrogates, President Trump had all but been left out to dry by a percentage of the church who he dubbed BINO’s—Believers In Name Only. These BINO’s are apparently not genuine Christians because they are not supporting a post-election misinformation and conspiracy campaign.
As if questioning one’s standing with Christ wasn’t repugnant enough, the writer went even further, quoting the Gospel of Matthew—“but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven (10:33). If you pick up a printed Bible, you may very well find that exact passage in red typeface. To those who may not know, that means the words were directly attributed to Jesus himself. The writer of the Charisma article actually used the words of the Lord Jesus (words Christ spoke himself, about himself) and hijacked them for application against believers not supporting the soon-to-be-unseated President. Such blatant heretical manipulation of the Sacred Text exceeds the gross idolatry of the prior examples and reaches to the heights of blasphemy, as I understand it. What baffles me is not those aforementioned Christians who were willing, for reasons of platform or conscience, to give this man their vote.
What does baffle me is the leap from that to this. Giving a begrudging vote is one thing. Even offering strictly political support is within the realm of reason. But this … this full-throated fanaticism of Donald Trump as some pseudo-messianic hero, on scriptural and religious grounds, is a leap that is lethal to the Church. It’s lethal, precisely because attending to being in political control, over the integrity of being the Body of Christ, is effectively neutralizing the potential of the AEC in virtually all Kingdom of God-related endeavors.
Three Objections
This is the type of stuff I feel a fierce urgency to confront, because many within the AEC are diving head long into the stream. But in so doing, I have gotten an awful lot of pushback. And it mostly boils down to objections that: (1) Question the basis for the confrontation; (2) Suggest that Christians should not have such confrontations openly; and/or (3) assume I have no standing within the church qualifying me for this confrontation.
It is my strong conviction (not the certainty of “my truth”) that it is, in fact, my place to speak and do it within whatever public circle I occupy.
First Objection: What is the basis for my sentiment?
First of all, I feel compelled to say something because there are people both within and outside of the Christian community who are asking me directly, “why isn’t anyone speaking up about this?” I personally know many, on each side, asking why their church is being so silent on something so clearly ungodly. Maybe they see the few articles and op/eds condemning this thing from scattered voices in the AEC, but those are far afield from their own local congregation. There is palpable cognitive dissonance with these folks—folks who know enough about the precepts of Christ’s message and the idea of what principled Christian living is supposed to reflect—that leaves them seeing something profoundly troubling at the heart of the AEC.
Two examples stress the concern:
Recently, one twenty-something in my own church sought me out over his grave difficulty reconciling what he was seeing posted on social media both directly, and by insinuation, about non-Trump supporters (like himself) from people within our congregation. The tension was brought to bear when those people warmly greeting him on a Sunday morning, while essentially castigating the likes of him just the day before on a Facebook post which painted liberals as evil, traitorous, idiots.
“If these people knew I wasn’t a Republican—” He stopped mid-thought. Going a different direction, he said, “It’s just hard to stay in a congregation with those sorts of disingenuous people.”
Sadly, he has not been the only one to discuss such confliction with me. He was just the latest. Nor was the post he referred to a random, isolated thing. For some, they are almost daily.
It is, in all reality, the regularity of these sorts of interactions, and these types of posts and comments, that fuel my urge for engagement. Frankly, there are non-Trump supporters, and yes … even liberal voters in the AEC. They absolutely need to know there are people in the church who sense the danger, not only to them but far beyond, with this destructive theo-political nonsense, and who are willing to call it what it is—corrupted and diseased theology.
The second example is a close friend and coworker, who happens to be solidly liberal and atheist. He shared an article with me posted to a blog site that was brimming with all the similar type of stuff already used as examples above.
He asked, “Do you have any idea how weird you guys are?”
I tried to distance myself from that as fast and as far as I could. I emphasized that many believers are not down with the theological “Trumpsism” at all.
As an open minded, sensible, and intelligent guy, he replied that he completely understood the whole evangelical/Republican nexus. Of course, he had to qualify that as a good progressive he opposed it, but would never assume less of someone who, because of their religious convictions, “plugged their noses and voted for Trump.” But what he could not get his mind around was the full-throttle allegiance to the President, perpetrated under the auspices of “religion,” to validate who he saw as a clearly counter-Christ-like figure.
Having talked the gospel with him prior, he told me straight up, “if this is what that gospel community is full of, I don’t want anything to do with it.” The real gut punch came, after a slight pause that carried the effect of a sad aside, when he added, “… and I doubt it wants anything to do with someone like me.”
Think about that Christian. Think hard on that.
Because these people, from either example, watch footage of the Capitol being stormed … and they witness:
· Christian worship music blaring from speakers
· Crosses, signs, and banners with the name of Jesus being held behind the front line of the mob battling a thin and desperate row of Capitol police trying to hold a fence line
· A Christian flag being carried by one of the rioters “assuming control” of the Senate Chamber
Then, they witness a double down. And they note how none of those vocally using their faith to prop up the man whose conspiracies greatly influenced it all are speaking out against it. They are hit with a massive disconnect.
It’s the reality of the AEC they see in action crashing head-on against the AEC as it claims to be.
Second Objection: Why Make a Church Matter Public?
What about the critique that accuses me of going against some perceived Christian tenet that stresses believers ought not to make such matters public?
Paul’s stern address to the church in 1 Corinthians is usually referenced. So too is the typically solid leadership strategy, “praise in public, correct in private.”
It would seem like the difference should be plain and circling back on the first response should be all that needs to be said. Still, to the idea that matters within the church are to be handled in the church, I won’t argue. However, Paul’s rebuke to the Corinthians concerned the handling of an in-house grievance, paraded out to become a public spectacle. It amounted to a condemnation of the shame they brought upon the Christian community before those whom they were witnesses to. The object of our current objection is not the same—not at all.
When voices speaking on behalf of the church are publicly making statements about the evil hearts of people across society (much less just the political aisle) they are waging guilt by association attacks on folks across the office, the fence, or down the pew.
These are people who are dear to me … and more significantly… dear to God.
Publicly using the core texts and precepts of the Christian faith to wage your “truth war” against “this evil liberal culture” needs an equally public clap back—broadcast far and wide—so that whatever hope of salvaging the last vestiges of AEC relevance can be undertaken.
If you feel so compelled to let “them” know they are the enemy, evil, and part of a corrupt and devilish movement, I feel it only appropriate to be an advocate in letting “them” know, as sincerely as I can, that they are valued, welcome, and part of a beautiful ultimate divine plan for humanity. And … that you are wrong.
To the “correct in private” idea then, I will start by saying I am not a leader in the church. I am a peer. And while I understand what the principle is driving at, the failure to publicly challenge these horrible positions is detrimental to the church. No reason to repeat the above, but we need to “police ourselves,” in a manner of speaking, and the broader society needs to know it’s taking place.
While I will engage, from time to time, what other people post, I typically make my views known via my own threads. I cannot recall ever using those threads to call out people directly by name. However, if my very forceful and direct challenges of these particular views are felt at the personal level, then so be it.
The irony of those criticizing being called-out in the act of calling-out others is gross hypocrisy … the sort that should not be lost on anyone.
Third Objection: What Gives Me the Right?
That I am not a leader, either by vocation or title, in the church, leads to the third question. “Who are you to assume your voice is needed, much less correct?”
What is typically uncovered in these interactions is something that hints at the idea, “If my pastor(s) are not saying anything, I must be alright.” Or, “I don’t see any leaders supporting your comments, so you must be the one who’s deceived or blinded to the real truth.”
The obvious response starts with pointing out that the people challenging me on this are not leaders either, and therefore as “peers” in the church community, I have just as much of a qualified voice to challenge you as you do me.
There is a very harsh reality, for right or wrong, that many who work in church or affiliated ministry are not able to speak as freely as they would like. When there is support on the line (often times the financial type undergirding the very possibility of their ministry), these ministers are, in effect, burdened with not taking any remotely controversial stand (publicly). In other words, they cannot do or say anything that may end up shooting themselves in the foot.
For the local pastor, the strain is immense. I’ve talked to so many of them. It’s genuinely heartbreaking. Taking a stand on this would surely lead to potentially massive casualties, and they know it deep in their troubled hearts. There would be defections, which would include tithers, givers, volunteers, and people who are influential pillars in their church family. In some places the percentages could be light. In others, entire churches may fold. There would be infighting, factions, and poisonous rumors. Some pastors could find themselves abused and eventually out of a job altogether.
And … to say silent, or simply soft-shoe around this, with appeals to prayers for unity, and sermons from an indirect trajectory, in the hopes people will somehow “get it” (without actually having to state it) will lead to defections as well.
The ex-vangelical migration was already well underway, especially among younger millennials and Gen. Z. In the wake of all that has been described here already, many of them are still in the pews are watching … very closely. And they’re waiting. They are waiting to see how the church responds … how their church responds. And if they have hung around this long, their patience will have worn thin, if there is any sense this is just going to go unaddressed in the hopes that time will heal it.
Yet, they know time will not heal it, without treatment. Their pastors know it as well. Time may see the symptoms subside. But that will only be for a moment.
The next “Donald Trump” will emerge (maybe the actual Donald Trump will reemerge), and this will all get ramped up again, reminding us of the illness still at the core of this. We will also become acutely aware of how much larger the malignancy has gotten, because the bubble of silence will let the cancer grow, while we did nothing except push it aside for an election cycle.
If what needs to be said, goes unsaid, they will be gone. I’ll probably be among them. Again, the percentage of them may be small, or it may be significant, depending on the congregation. Additionally, the other consideration is those not in the church. So too, will they grow more skeptical of it, and in turn be less likely than ever to step in. Such is the case already with my friend and coworker described above.
So, what is the pastor to do? I cannot answer that because I am not in their position. It truly is a lose/lose situation. The cost must be counted however, upon what is the right thing to do. What is the best step to take with this stench, in the here and now, that will be to the flourishing of the Body of Christ in the future?
This a cruel reality of the times. The possibility of an easy path has been eliminated. I simply cannot imagine the yoke church/denominational leaders must be under right now, as if the pandemic wasn’t rough enough.
So, I speak up. Perhaps like a surrogate voice, I offer a challenge to my peers in the church who are blinded by this, because I have nothing to lose.
If I earn the suspicion of my church-mates, or a segment of them see me as a poisonous influence because I don’t invest my faith in their politics, then so be it.
It matters not, because I love my church, and I love it enough to risk not being loved back.
Final Thought
I love those in my church who are sadly buying into this sort of thing. Many of them are my friends and ministry/service partners. They are a big part of my life. But they are wrong, and their ideology is polluted.
I cannot stay silent on the matter merely because I enjoy the unity and community that is at “peace” when I am turning a blind eye or deaf ear to this blight. The church is not a social club and working to preserve it for that purpose makes me passively complicit in the advancement of the disease.
The church has a commission, and that does not include circling the wagons. It demands we stand as a beacon to a lost and hurting world. Nothing in the Bible comes close to supporting “kingdom of man” political control to debase those of differing views and the portrayal of them as our enemies.
It is the role of the Christian to demonstrate Christ and live a life that promotes that there is hope in the community of the saints, because that hope is rooted in the eternal plan of a holy God and accomplished through his resurrected Son.
There is nothing political about that!
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