Too Political
Opening Thoughts
Throughout my years in ministry, I have been called many names. “Marxist”, “Critical Race Theorist”, “Deconstructionist”, “Too Liberal”, and “Too Conservative” are just some of these titles that have been told to my face, emailed to my inbox, or spoken behind my back. On the rare occasion that I’ve been able to follow up with people and actually meet with them to hear their hearts, I’m often finally met with something along the lines of “things were just too political.”
Interestingly, when I have asked for clarity on this statement there has been one main reason: what was spoken was not in alignment with their political parties and/or ideologies. Unfortunately, follow-up questions or asking about the Scriptures are usually just met with political ideologies from biased news resources or a lack of openness to have any further conversation about the matter. In other words, there was no intention to discuss things; rather, it was just a longing to say one side is right and the other is wrong by using the phrase “you’re too political.”
As this year has progressed, I have been reminded of experiences like these as I have witnessed the increasingly polarized times in which we live. I have heard from other pastors who are facing claims that they are “too political” after preaching sermons from Jesus’ sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) or reading passages that call for God’s people to treat others with love, honor, respect, and generosity. This is even more heightened when those “others” include the Scripturally defined groups of foreigners/immigrants, widows, orphans, and the poor.
But perhaps the most confrontational that people become when things are “too political” is when pastors challenge the idolatry connected to certain politicians, political policies that are not in alignment with the teachings of Christ, and when Kingdom citizenship is celebrated as greater than American citizenship. Even though there is a clear model throughout the ministry of Jesus and a mandate for the early Church to resist the empires, evils, and injustices of this world by being a prophetic witness to the ways of Christ, many believe these challenges to be “too political”.
Sadly, we live in a time in which this phrase is used to avoid, divide, aggressively disagree, and assert that one side is right and the other is wrong. But when we really unpack this phrase, there are some really helpful insights and next steps we can all take.
What is Being “Too Political”?
When we truly examine what it means when somebody says something is “too political” it really boils down to personal opinion and disagreements. Now, there’s nothing wrong with having personal opinions and not seeing eye-to-eye on everything. There’s also nothing wrong with being politically interested, involved, and outspoken. It becomes wrong and destructive when our personal opinions have become idols and our disagreements become divisions and stumbling blocks.
C.S. Lewis wrote about this in his book Screwtape Letters in which he creatively wrote letters from the viewpoint of demons tasked with distracting humanity. This book was written during World War II and Lewis highlighted in one set of letters how the demons were charged to use the politically divisive viewpoints (patriotism and pacifism) as things to add to the human’s Christianity.
“Whichever he adopts, your main task will be the same. Let him begin by treating Patriotism or Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of a partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then, quietly and gradually nurse him onto the stage at which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce in favor of Patriotism or Pacifism. Once you have made the World an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing. Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movements, causes, and crusades [social media today] matter more to him than prayers and sacraments and charity, he is ours…I could show you a pretty cageful down here.” Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
In other words, the task was to distract humanity with the idols of political viewpoints and partisan spirits. This would ultimately lead to a type of Christianity that is only valued because it supports one’s worldly perspectives and desires, and strips one of the truth that our citizenship is in God’s Kingdom first rather than the kingdoms of this world.
This type of mindset is often attributed to a Jesus+ lifestyle. This is the type of belief that the work of Jesus is good, but not fully sufficient. For example, I was once asked by a man at an old church why the American flag was not in the sanctuary. My response was that we used to have all the national flags in the sanctuary, but I wasn’t around when the decision was made. He then asked where I got my freedom and I responded by saying through Christ Jesus. He looked back at me with a smirk and said, “No, son. Not fully. You’ll just never understand.”
I have the utmost respect for those from every generation and I recognize that many people have different experiences within the church pertaining to phrases like “God, family, country”. I also will say that without a certainty of doubt, my freedom comes through the blood of the Lamb. I am grateful for the freedoms I experience in America each day and I will also never elevate those freedoms above the work and liberty that comes through the Lord.
Therefore, I would propose that although one may claim another is “too political” it may be the other way around. And when one is truly “too political”, one has elevated their viewpoints above the King, His Kingdom, and His principles. This is a life that claims Jesus is Savior, but political partisanship, national citizenship, and connected viewpoints are lord.
Jesus was “Too Political”
Interestingly, the other side of the coin is that when somebody asserts that another is being “too political” we must recognize that the One we follow was “too political” in the best way possible. Jesus consistently challenged political idolatry by calling His disciples to embody the Kingdom ethics of love for neighbor through merciful, just, and humble actions toward others. He was constantly reaching out to those on the margins of society and including them in His Kingdom family. And He invited His disciples to do the same.
Simultaneously, Jesus and the early Church leaders also promoted honor and respect for those in authority. Time and again, the early disciples were called to submit to governing authorities (Rms. 13), to pray for those in leadership positions (1 Tim. 2), and even to lay down their lives to those who were persecuting them and doing injustice towards them (1 Pet. 2-3).
All of these exhortations were also connected to the calling that Jesus gave when challenged about an unfair temple tax in Mark 12. He responds by asking whose image is on the coin used to pay the tax and then says these infamous words, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” In other words, He is telling them that they can pay taxes and even submit to the governing authorities without embracing all it stands for. In fact, He highlights this by also stating that we are called to give back to God what is God’s. And because He had asked about the image on the coin, we must ask, “What image of God can we give back to God?” The answer: our whole lives. We were made in the image of God and we are called to not just give parts of ourselves, but our whole lives, and in doing so, we are declaring God as King and Lord.
This is the foundation of Jesus’ ministry, message, and calling for His disciples to embrace as citizens of God’s Kingdom and foreigners in this world. We can give honor to those in governance, pray for those in leadership positions, and engage in the political systems of our context, yet simultaneously, we must always remain faithful to the principles, practices, and priorities of God’s Kingdom and Word first.
When we examine these principles, practices, and priorities, they seem “too political” to many in our contexts. In fact, to be a follower of Jesus in the first century was to be a resistor of the empire of Rome in one’s declaration that there was no other Lord and King but Jesus. Jesus referred to Himself with a political term (Son of Man/Son of God) that challenged the viewpoint of Rome. The calls of the disciples of Jesus stood in stark contrast to the ways of the world. The invitations for Christ’s followers were to live humbly, give generously, care for the poor, bless persecutors, love enemies, seek the lost, heal the sick, welcome strangers (foreigners), and pursue peace and unity with all people.
In fact, if the Church were to embrace the full range of Jesus’ teachings, we would absolutely appear “too political” to a number of political parties. But something else would happen as well. Transformation, healing, hope, freedom, justice, mercy, compassion, and the Kingdom of God here on earth like it is in heaven.
Next Steps
In our divided and polarized context, it is easy to not take the next step or to take steps in aggression and deeper division. So, what can we do? It’s interesting that Jesus modeled a different way to us that both challenged the status quo and prophetically called the people of God to not become a stumbling block to others. In this regard, there may be some helpful next steps that we might consider if things seem “too political”.
Repentance
Our first step is daily repentance. As Jesus launched His public ministry, He called people to repent (Mt. 4:17). This call to repentance is a call to think differently and live differently. In a world that is so set on what is “too political”, our invitation is to daily repent by admitting that we don’t know everything and that what we once thought we knew may not be the best route forward.
In many ways, this is a surrendering of things that we grasp onto too tightly or that we cling to for a false sense of security. In other ways, our daily act of repentance is an opportunity to slow ourselves down enough to not become embittered by phrases that have been politicized and polarized, and instead, to recognize that because we don’t know everything we are more open to hear others out, prioritize the Kingdom principles, and find a way towards peace and unity.
Perhaps, the greatest opportunity that daily repentance provides is a consistent open door for self-reflection and prioritizing personal growth rather than judging others based on politically-biased information. We may find that in our own posturing before the Lord each day that we have become “too political” and we are in need of the Spirit’s tranforming power in our lives. These moments give us the much needed space to surrender our idols of political partisanship, preferences, and polarizing viewpoints for the Kingdom principles that call us to another way.
Lastly, when we present ourselves before God in daily repentance, I believe we will be shown the ways in which our perspectives, words, and stances have harmed others. These gracious spaces won’t necessarily lead to a different viewpoint or belief, but more importantly, a different way of expressing and embodying that belief that does no harm to others (Rms. 13).
Reception
After repentance we are led to the next step of reception. Again, when the term “too political” is used it is usually in reference to disagreement on political viewpoints, but more often than not is utilized as a way to critique, judge, or condemn another without giving opportunity for open feedback and constructive discussion.
An antidote to this is the task of reception. This practice is built on the principle of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 22:36-40). This idea of receiving others prioritizes the callings of honoring and preferring others more than ourselves (Rms. 12; Phil. 2). And finally, it pursues the Christian call of making every effort to preserve unity and the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-2).
Perhaps, one of the best ways to engage in this concept of reception is through the lost of listening. Simply put, we live in a day in which people do not listen to one another. Conversations are often monologues and as Stephen Covey said, “People often don’t listen to understand but to reply”.
However, in true listening, we are empowered to meet with others, hear their stories and perspectives, and communicate from connection rather than another foundation. This aids us in discovering other’s viewpoints, but more importantly, this helps us to understand other’s contexts. More often than not, when one claims another is “too political” they are often missing the context and relational connection to understand what they truly mean and believe.
For example, a few years ago, I found out a family was leaving the church I was part of. When I asked why they were leaving, I was told because things had gotten “too political.” I asked for clarity but received none at the time. Later, I found out this meant that they didn’t like that the phrase “Black Lives Matter” had been mentioned from the platform. Interestingly, when I watched the service, this phrase was mentioned describing a protest by a black church member who was sharing her experience about praying for her son who was both a police officer and a black man in America.
In other words, if the practice of full listening and reception of others was being prioritized, people would have recognized that the mention of Black Lives Matter was also connected to Blue Lives Matter, and more importantly, the goal was to elevate that both are true statements and there was a call for necessary prayers for both communities.
This isn’t to say that if we listen to one another we will agree on every point. However, when we receive one another and listen with compassion and love, we will create more space for unity, grace, and a creative manner forward. Rachel Naomi Remen says it this way:
“Listening is the oldest and perhaps the most powerful tool of healing. It is often through the quality of our listening and not the wisdom of our words that we are able to effect the most profound changes in the people around us. When we listen, we offer with our attention an opportunity for wholeness. Our listening creates sanctuary for the homeless parts within the other person. That which has been denied, unloved, devalued by themselves and by others. That which is hidden.” – Rachel Naomi Remen
Real Courage
After repentance and reception, I believe the last step is to live in the real courage it takes to embrace and express the ways of Jesus, to speak out against injustices, to not become a stumbling block, and to risk the possibility of being called “too political”.
Jesus often modeled supernatural courage to stand up against empires, religious systems, and oppressive interpretations of the Scriptures to reveal that God actually invites all people to live in a different Kingdom, a covenantal relationship, and a full life found in Christ’s righteousness. The disciples, apostles, and early churches also modeled this courage when they were berated, persecuted, and even martyred for the sake of the Way. As Christ followers in our contemporary context, we must boldly associate ourselves with the principles of God’s Kingdom even if it leads to these instances in our lives.
Therefore, our invitation is to daily ask for the supernatural courage and strength of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live out the callings of the Kingdom of God. This calls for endurance to remain faithful, compassion to care for those in need, kindness to listen to those with whom we may disagree, openness to choose right relationships over being right, generosity to meet the needs of others, and a boldness to arise above the divisions of our context as we stay centered on the Lamb of God.
This type of courage is impossible in our own strength, which is why we must once again become dependent upon the Spirit of God. We must spend more time in His Presence than in the political spirit. We must soak in God's Word and Gospel more than the news reports and social media posts. We must allow God’s goodness to permeate us and guide us in our thoughts, words, and actions.
As we become more dependent on the Spirit, we must commit ourselves to doing the work of God’s Kingdom even when it’s difficult and not what either side of the political spectrum thinks is the right way forward. We must present the principles and practices of Jesus’ teachings without becoming a stumbling block to others. We must do away with being “too political” because we have made idols out of our politics and citizenship. Simultaneously, we must become okay with being called “too political” if it means that the truth and hope of Christ’s words are revealed.
Closing Thoughts
A few years back I was connected with some Christians who did not like the term religious. For them it was a label for somebody who was legalistic and more dependent on tradition than the Spirit. I understood what they were saying and I also wanted to ask some Biblical questions because the mention of being religious I saw in Scripture was connected to caring for the widow and orphan in James 1:27. In that case, call me religious.
In the same manner, if being “too political” is a label that people use but ultimately the truth is that I’m living out the way of Jesus found in the Scriptures then call me “too political”. This isn’t to be a stumbling block or offend others, it is to proclaim a different way that points to the King and His truths that set free and make things right, just, and good. It is to break down the labels that so many hold and utilize to divide with the hope of bringing a real, hopeful, and unified way forward.
Rachel Naomi Remen talks about the cage of labels saying:
“A label is a mask life wears. We put labels on life all the time. Labeling sets up an expectation of life that is often so compelling we can no longer see things as they really are. This expectation often gives us a false sense of familiarity toward something that is really new and unprecedented. We are in relationship with our expectations and not with life itself.” - Rachel Naomi Remen
My hope and prayer is all of this to state that the label of “too political” can both point to a false sense of security and reality, as well as to an alternative pathway found in the life and teachings of Jesus. I look forward to the day this label is replaced with the teachings of Jesus and the people of God arise with repentance, reception of others, and real courage. Amen.
