I’m struggling. I’m struggling with how to engage culture for God’s glory. The recent nomination fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh forced that struggle to the front of my conscience. There are five realities guiding my decisions on cultural engagement, and five action steps I’d like to take in the future.
5 Realities
- I have friends who I want to influence with the gospel: This reality hits me hard. I have many friends who don’t think like me, vote like me, share my background, etc… I want be a Christ like influence in their lives.
- I see our society moving in a counter gospel direction: I’m concerned about the direction of our culture. We’re not moving toward the gospel. We’re not moving toward Christ. We’re moving away from Christlike values.
- I have opinions: I have opinions on politics and on other aspects of our society. I have biblically informed opinions that I’d like to share. I’d like to be a part of the conversation.
- My political party does not always align with my opinions: This has become abundantly clear in the past two years. The Republican party has moved farther to the right, and has left me feeling like a man without a party.
- God is neither republican or democrat: I may feel like a man without a party, but I am never without God. There will be democrats who spend an eternity with Christ. There will be republicans who do not. This is the most important reality. It connects back to the first reality. My heart’s desire is to see all my friends spend an eternity with God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
What am I to do? These realities are difficult to navigate. I’m not the only Christian struggling with the correct biblical posture for cultural engagement. Here are five action steps I’d like to recommend to those who are struggling with this issue, both democrat and republican. I’m committed to following these steps in the future:
- Do not be a stumbling block: When Southern Baptists met for our annual meeting in St. Louis in 2015, the messengers debated a resolution supporting a ban on the display of the confederate flag on public property. There were emotional speeches on both sides of the issue. Dr. James Merritt said, (I’m paraphrasing here) “If the confederate flag causes my brother or sister to tune out the gospel, then the confederate flag must go.” If the voicing of my political opinions causes my brother or sister to miss the message of the gospel, then I should keep my political opinions to myself.
- Engage with purpose and grace: I always need to ask myself, why am I engaging this person on this issue? Am I just looking for a fight? Am I just looking to prove someone wrong? Christ never engaged just to fight someone or prove someone wrong. He always engaged with purpose and with grace. The message of God’s grace was always on his lips, and He offered forgiveness while simultaneously standing against sin.
- Cultivate more relationships with people who do not think like me: I can’t engage in meaningful discussion in an echo chamber–see reality number one. I want to cultivate more of those relationships. I want to genuinely listen to arguments. Those arguments may not change my mind, but they give me an insight into people and their thoughts.
- Those who have different values are not my enemy: There are too many conservative Christians who treat non-Christians as enemies. They are not our enemy. The Bible says our fight is against the ruler of this atmospheric domain. I want to always be careful not to treat those who ideologically oppose me as my enemies.
- I will not belong to either political party: I’ve found myself in the position of not belonging to either political party. I will still vote for a certain type of candidate, but I will not vote republican just because I’m a Southern Baptist Pastor. The Republican or Democratic, or whatever party will have to earn my vote.
This is where I’ve arrived in my struggle. Paul wrote in Philippians 3, verse 12 and following, “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Just this morning, I saw a church sign “The donkey and the elephant can’t help. Go to the Lamb.”
I like that. I really like that.
Tony, I salute you and appreciate your post. I just published a book where I said the following:
Although I am not currently a registered Republican I adhere to many, if not most, of the values that have been foundational to this political party. That said, I feel marginalized by the rhetoric coming from the White House and those on the far right. They have moved so far that they have left me in their dust.
Being an evangelical Christian I value life and that includes those yet to be born. That means, though, that I value all life. The way policies have been implemented would seem to reflect a valuation or gradation of life – some are more valuable than others. The constant push and fervor for the unborn does not give way to policies protecting those already born and in need. What of the ill, those with mental issues, those in need of education, etc.? It would seem that those issues have all been given to the Democrats while the Republicans only care of about one issue – abortion.
Living within your means is a personal value I hold very dear, I wish that our government did as well. I am afraid that we are mortgaging our children’s future as we fund boondoggles and politicians line their supporters’ pockets in an attempt to stay in office. I find it interesting that the only balanced budget in recent memory came during a Democrats’ administration.
Constitutional law is a doctrine which has kept our country on an even keel through many trails. I have difficulty with those judges who find it necessary to “legislate from the bench”. This is not their role and they should refrain from doing it. The problem is that they often feel obligated to act because Congress is not doing its job and the office of the President is not giving the leadership necessary to move the Congress to action.
It is imperative that the Congress and the President begin to deliver well thought out legislation that solve problems not cuddle their supporters. The issues; immigration, deficit spending, public education, trade, security, guns, etc., are not going away and until legislation is passed to deal with them they will only get worse.
Finally, in all this the older I get the more I realize that as categorical as I would like to be with the above-named issues and others, more heart and compassion is also needed. We are a people of love and care. That needs to be part of everything we do, or we will lose what makes us the great nation we have been.
The above was taken from the “About the Author” section of Mr.President, Say What?! by Tom Law
Mr. Law, with your comments concerning “abortion” and the Republican Party you have parroted very well the Democrat left’s talking points.
The term “abortion” is a rather sterile term for the brutal murder of innocent pre-born children who are made in the image God. Of course that is precisely the reason the left crafted the term—to mask the hideous behavior which they not only fully embrace, but actively endorse and advocate.
Your contention, and that of others, that Republicans have done nothing to stem the tide of this travesty and care about no other social ills is disingenuous and patently false. Republican controlled legislatures in states across our nation have passed laws severely restricting abortion with the intent of virtually eliminating it only to have the laws unconstitutionally struck down by federal courts. Pro-life bills introduced in Democrat controlled legislatures never make it out of committee.
We now have a Republican President who is keeping his promise to nominate judges, who respect our Constitution, to fill vacant seats on the Supreme Court and on lower federal courts. Since the federal judiciary created this abomination in our land, this is the most expedient way to correct it.
In addition Congress has over the years, in a bipartisan manner, appropriated billions and billions of dollars to address the other social concerns you have mentioned and rightly so. Also, the President’s policies have created millions of new jobs in a short period of time which will improve the lives of millions. However, the time has come to address our most grevious national sin—the legalized murder of innocent pre-born children.
There are those who will always seek to undermine President Trump in spite of his many accomplishments and continued efforts to improve the lives of all Americans, but he is a man of action with positive results—not empty words.
Mr. Hudson, your reply makes my point. Your gravitated to one word I used and this set off a diatribe on your part. The word “abortion” is a medical term. It is the ending of pregnancy due to removing an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus. An abortion that occurs spontaneously is also known as a miscarriage.
You justifiably are outraged over the induced abortions permitted by law in this country. I have no argument with you over this outrage although I do question some of the tactics used by those opposed to those trying to get an abortion.
But where is your moral outrage toward “a person who is a self-proclaimed womanizer (remember the interview with Billy Bush) and voyeur (remember him bragging about seeing women backstage half-dressed at the Miss Universe Pageant)”. In spite of his low moral character “evangelicals still support him.” In my book Mr. President, Say What?! I went on to say, “Here is a person who consistently lies and brags about his abuse of people (Your Fired!) and yet evangelicals call for unity behind ‘their’ man.”
I’m sorry, but I cannot support this kind of person. And a party which turns a blind eye to this kind of moral turpitude is suspect at best.
William Hudson wrote, “President Trump, regardless of any past sins, has the courage to keep his promises to combat this evil and is in the process of doing just that. And it is a top priority among his many positive accomplishments.”
Mr. Hudson, I respect your loyalty to your Party and to its standard bearer. I hope that this loyalty presents itself as vehemently in other aspects of your life.
The President’s “past sins” continue to this day as exemplified by the way he treats people and characterizes their actions and words. I won’t give examples in order to not give entry to another monologue.
Unfortunately, it would seem that you , like many others do not care what I believe you just want to know that I affirm what you believe. I, too, find late term abortions reprehensible. I am incredulous that the same laws which allow for the prosecution of a person for murdering an unborn baby when the mother is murdered do not protect that same unborn child otherwise.
Obviously, we need to change a number of laws and that responsibility sits with Congress and the President. They are the ones who establish the laws.
Mr. Law, have no fear, there is no plan on my part to counter your monologue. However, I will correct your final statement. It is a fact that “abortion” laws have always been under the purview of the states, since laws against murder have always been state matters.
It is also a fact that the Supreme Court, contrary to all state laws protecting pre-born children, has declared “abortion” (child murder) to be legal in all states, and it is a fact that President Trump is the only U.S. President to impact the Supreme Court in a manner that is changing its makeup and putting the states in position to have their pro-life laws upheld—but the President’s detractors rarely let facts stand in their way.
Our charter, as Christians, is to spread the gospel of Jesus and make disciples. If we were doing that and doing it well, and if God is reaping, then all else takes care of itself by the vote of God fearing people. These discussions seem to be thinly veiled ‘shots’ at the present administration. You have an individual voice and a right to complain about the current president. Please do so! No administration has the right to avoid polite political critique—or even protest if necessary. BUT…now that this president has been vilified as non-Christian in his demeanor…does that mean that you agree with the voice and tenure of the opposition? Why is that always left out? This administration was not supported in a void. The argument is weak…very weak…that because we wear the ‘label’ evangelical that we cannot (because of our affiliation?), or do not (because others will disagree?), criticize this administration—when, in this and similar posts, we do all the time. They key to changing the direction of this country is changing the heart of its people—and only God changes hearts.
Because Trump seems to be the darling of high profile evangelicals, I think it is our obligation to criticize this administration when he does things antithetical to what we purport to believe, which is daily, almost minute by minute. Our “leaders” are giving the world the wrong impression, in my opinion. I personally feel the need to correct that impression.
I have absolutely no problem with that…none. My issue is with those that appear in their writings to be progressive (nothing wrong with that) politically but speaking as if the evangelical Christian label parks them in a politically conservative camp; and then ‘agonize’ about what to do. Speak up…speak truthfully…as a Christian…with resort to scripture to support yourself! But also speak honestly from the part political spectrum upon which you stand. Politics do not inform faith (or they shouldn’t), but faith should inform our politics. Again, our charter is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples! Not agonize over the administration of the moment. Even if the republic falls, and a new age Ceasar rules…we must proclaim.
“Politics do not inform faith”
I wish that were true. I agree with you that it shouldn’t, but it clearly does. Week after week I have men (in a bible study) who somehow find a way to blame Democrats for something in practically every passage of scripture.
Bill Mac, you are going to have to list the things that Trump’s administration does “almost minute by minute” that violate Christian norms. I have no idea what you are talking about. Please avoid using the MSNBC nightly talking points.
Are you aware that, for example, Trump ran on getting the drug companies to stop gouging us on drug prices? He doesn’t want to throw the ill off the cliff, he wants to get the prices under control.
Bill Mac,
I see your point. Your mission is to remind people of how much better things were before Trump became President.
How is that working so far?
Woody
Tony,
You are right, the culture is headed counter to the Gospel.
Sure, we should listen to others and get out of our echo chambers.
Sure we shoud engage the culture and voice our opinions with grace and not simply be argumentative.
Sure, we discern when and if we should even voice our political opinions.
Certainly we should realize that unbelievers and those who do not think like us are not our enemy.
Sure, we should vote for the best person not simply along party lines.
But we dont influence people with the Gospel. We proclaim it to them.
Do people get saved because we are being politically correct or inoffensive politically?
Do people get saved because we make a good argument with grace for whatever political issue is before us?
There is a false idea that if society is better secularity then it is more godly. or more apt to be godly.
Or that when we as Chrisyians improve society in its worldly ways, we are helping them and us be better people.
Its not that we shouldnt want to see the hungry fed, or the grieved comforted, we should.
But if we look past the rhetoric of both political parties we see that neither one is really doing what they promise. The Elephants are not halting abortion or even funding for Planned Parenthood. Neither did they do anything when theyhad the Presidency and both houses of Congress. The Democrats are not really aiding the poor and downtrodden but using them to stay in power.
In other words a just society will not be reached through politics.
Which society was better, in a secular sense, the plantation owners or the black slaves? easy answer: the pkantation owners had more rights, more money, and more freedom, among other things. But which group was closer to the Lord? It was those slaves that turned to Christ despite the harsh circumsyances of their lives that had peace with God.
So how are we to judge society? By its rights and freedoms and riches?
Yet we know that we people look on the outward things but God looks at the heart.
Can we stop the sins and the sinning of society by our good deeds or by our political stances?
Are we getting closer to stopping abortion? or pornography? or greed/coveting? or the worship of false gods?
But is that our quest? our role?
Just how are we to engage society and with what purpose?
We are called to proclaim the Gospel with or without freedom of religion.
And then and as an addition, we are to love those we meet, both as individuals and as through our corporate worship, the local church.
Thats our mission.
Thats how we are to [mainly] engage society.
If we do that, we have been good and faithful servants unto the Lord.
Good thoughts Tony. If fact I was wondering why they were so similar to mine and then I saw you are a graduate of Ouachita. I graduated many years before you but it is good to know they are still turning out quality thinkers.
Which class were you in? We probably had some of the same teachers. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anyone call me a quality thinker. Thanks.
1969. I am sure long before you were there. Went to homecoming last week. Had a chance to visit with Dwight McKissic, Cliff Harris and other friends. I am retired and live in Little Rock so get a chance to go down there often now. I roomed with Mac Sisson if you knew him when you were there. I was MIR in 1989-90 and taught with some of the religion profs you might have known.
Yes, I knew Mac Sisson. My wife, girlfriend at the time, worked for the Paper. Mac always had a fridge in his office with Coke. It worked on an IOU system. I had Duvall and Previn Vang for religion profs. I also used to be a music minister in Arkansas before I started pastoring in Missouri.
I was a Republican. I grew disenchanted and went Independent (though still voting Republican 99% of the time). Having moved to a new locality and liking the structure of the local and state party, I’m on the verge of punching my GOP card again.
That being said, I am an american CHRISTIAN! The first word there lowercase and the second one uppercase. No party will hold my allegiance over Christ and His Kingdom. And in spite of my personal party choices (they are mine and mine alone), I firmly believe the SBC and conservative, evangelical Christians need to get out of bed with the Republican Party!
I recently registered independent and almost every day the news confirms to me the wisdom of that – for me at least.
I agree. I thought perhaps the party would be a check on Trump, but instead they have become body and soul the party of Trump. They all took a “principled” stand against his most outrageous behavior in the beginning because they thought they would be rewarded for it, but because they now see there are zero consequences for Trump’s behavior, they are simply becoming him. I can’t be a part of that. He is poison and I’m not going to drink.
Christians need to support the Republican party rather than reject it. I would love to be able to say we should support the Democratic party, but they are unfortunately too far gone unless a dramatic change happens. The Democratic worldview is shot-through with a worldview Christians should not subscribe to IMHO.
Why support the Republican party? There are many factions in the Republican party. A main one is the “I just don’t want to pay any taxes” party. These people, who are in the majority, just want to count their money and build bigger silos. They are not motivated by ethics or morality. They are not motivated by a genuine philosophical belief in limited government. They just want a cheap government.
Christians need to be in there fighting for limited but effective government. Yes they need to be fighting for unborn babies and their mothers. They also need to fight for effective social services. They need to fight for honest judges and fair commerce. You can only do this in the party.
News Flash: The Culture is always Antithetical to the gospel. Why do we act as if the “culture” was ever desirous of promoting the gospel.
That doesn’t mean Christians can’t be Active in the Culture – in politics, in business, the arts, etc.
Just because some Christians can’t recognize the St. Louis Cardinals as the best team in baseball doesn’t mean I have to like, root for, and support all the other National League teams. I hope the Dodgers get crushed, I’m glad the Giants didn’t make the playoffs, and I think it’s fabulous the Cubs went from having the best record in the NL to being out of the playoffs in 3 days. As for the Junior Circuit I hope the Red Sox get swept by the Astros. I have friends who like the Cubs. Why? They are in need of help, but they are my friends.
Translated to politics: I’ll like whom I like (in a party), dislike others in the same party, and completely stand opposed to a different party. And I have friends who disagree with my stances and I with theirs. Get over it! We’re supposed to be Christians and adults.
And we do Ministry (gospel) together! In spite of the aforementioned items.