OUR POLITICAL CHALLENGE

Paul T. Stallsworth

 

As is often reported and widely known, the United States of America is a politically divided nation.  As the 2000 presidential election displayed, our country is evenly divided into “blue states” and “red states,” Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives.

Our country’s contemporary, political division is aggravated and amplified by several factors.  First, we are in the midst of a hot-and-heavy political season, the campaign of the 2004 elections.  Second, it appears that liberals are gravitating toward the Democratic Party and becoming more liberal; and it seems that conservatives are moving toward the Republican Party and becoming more conservative.  After all, how often is reference made to “conservative Democrats” or “liberal Republicans?”  Seldom, if ever.  Third, whether we like it or not, the Democratic Party’s platform and policy are becoming increasingly secular, while the Republican Party’s commitments increasingly favors religion.  And fourth, public political discussion -- in a civil, respectful manner -- seems to have reached a low point.  Again, these four factors have heightened the current political divide in our country.

How should the Church deal with the American political struggle of our day?

Many Christians, laity and clergy, would nervously reply:  “Just keep politics out of the Church.  When people enter the church building, they should leave their politics at the door.  And when pastors mount their pulpits, they should never mention politics.”  Again, out of fear, many Christians claim the Church should be a politics-free zone.

Other Christians, laity and clergy, would reply to the same question: “The Church should take political sides.  That is, congregations should side with particular parties, and pastors should endorse certain candidates.”  The result would be “blue congregations” and “red congregations” throughout the land.

These two ways for the Church to respond to politics -- being completely non-political or being whole-hog political -- are misguided.  In response to those who want the Church to check politics at the door, it must be said: since Jesus Christ is Lord, He is Lord of all, including political life; therefore, the Church has at least a word on the political situation of the day.  (Furthermore, a church that avoids politics is less than courageous and is probably a bit boring to boot.)  In response to those who want

the Church to take political sides, it must be said: since Jesus Christ is Lord, He is much greater than a particular political candidate, agenda, party, or philosophy.  (Furthermore, a church which becomes partisan narrows its mission field to those with a similar political bent.)

Again, how should the Church deal with the American political struggle of our day?

The best way for the Church, laity and clergy, to engage politics might begin with keeping four principles in mind.

First, the Church must remember and assert that politics is not the most important thing in the world.  Jesus Christ, including His body the Church, is of ultimate importance.  Politics is important, to be sure; but it is of secondary importance.

Second, the Church must not baptize a particular political candidate, agenda, party, or philosophy as its own.  The Church already has a given politics, which is based on Christ the King.  Therefore, the Church need not sniff around to find another Messiah or a messianic politics.  “Put not your trust in princes,” the psalmist reminds.

Third, the Church must lift up “social principles” -- that is what we United Methodists call them -- that arise from the heart of the Gospel, and apply them to the political arena.

And fourth, the Church must nurture reasonable, respectful political conversation, even civil argument, within her household and in the general society.  Refusing a cowardly quietism and a zealous partisanship, the Church encourages constructive, political discussion -- even disagreement.

Political conversation in a congregation can be a small sign of a faithful church.  Even political disagreement in a church is a sign of congregational faithfulness.  After all, the Church is made one by Jesus Christ, by Word and Sacrament, by the Holy Spirit, and by covenant.  The Church’s unity is tough enough, durable enough, to withstand political discussion, debate, and disagreement.  The Church, well grounded and well directed, will not be divided by politics.

 

From September 2004 St. Peter's Post