Politics, Partisanship, and the Pew

Below is an excerpt from chapter 2 of A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars by Jonathan Merritt (http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/4661-clearing-the-partisan-hurdle-to-sharing-the-gospel.html)

Worse than being used by politicians, Christians diminish God by aligning Him with partisan preferences. Baptizing complex party platforms with religious vernacular makes our position synonymous with God’s position. A simple legislative proposal, for instance, can be framed in such a way that a “true Christian” could not oppose it. Whether intended or not, dragging partisan politics into the sanctuary scribbles “thus saith the Lord” across opinions. Once the association is made, those on the other side of the aisle are not merely mistaken; they are apostate.

This language creates an unbiblical political litmus test for spiritual fidelity. Being a faithful Christian means voting a certain way or holding to certain political viewpoints. If one of the faithful falls out of line on the political end, his or her faith is called into question. Some Christians speak as if denying certain policies is the equivalent of denying Christ. This also means that those who aren’t of a particular partisan pedigree don’t feel welcome in churches where Christians allow such associations. It communicates that Christianity “isn’t for them.” So Christian partisanship can actually become a hurdle to our efforts to share and spread the gospel.

Using politics as a measure of spiritual fidelity only strengthens the constituency and increases our worth as a voting bloc as many today find great value in faith’s ability to moralize arguments and win debates. This positive feedback mechanism keeps partisan faith humming along, but it can become a vortex in which a well-meaning believer can get lost.

Partisan thinking can also be irrational thinking. In the late 1980s, a majority of Democrats were convinced that inflation had risen under President Reagan, but in fact, it had fallen substantially. In 1996, most Republicans claimed that the deficit had increased under President Clinton, but in fact, it had shrunk steadily. Late in the Bush presidency, twice as many Republicans as Democrats believed the economy was performing well. As one plunges deeper into the culture wars, one loses a sense of reality and embraces a partisan perception.

When people hear Christians speaking foolishly about political realities, should we not expect them to tune us out when we speak about the gospel? If they see the irrationality of Christian partisanship, how can they expect anyone to believe other incredible claims about God and Jesus?

While politicians don’t risk much in the conflation of faith and party, the faithful place their integrity on the line. Christians like myself can’t help wondering if this is Jesus’ desire for His Body in the twenty-first century. Is the church to be reduced to a voting bloc, a constituency to be bought and sold? Are Christians to be seen as politicians in clerical collars? Such is the path of partisanship if Christians allow themselves to be led down it.

Though I haven’t read the entire book (but plan to), I see this excerpt as right on point. Merritt raises quite the pertinent question; do politics belong in the pew? I say, “no”…to a degree.

The Biblical Teaching

Scripture is clear that partisanship of any kind is not to be tolerated in the Church. 

John 17:21 That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

1 Corinthians 1:10-12 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 

1 Corinthians 12:25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

God intended for the Body of Christ to function as one, unified in heart, soul, and purpose. Anything that undermines that unity is detrimental to the cause of Christ and endangers the mission of the Church, giving Satan a foothold to demean the gospel (2 Corinthians 6:1-3).

Furthermore, not only does the New Testament know nothing of political partisanship within the Church, it actually advocates the believer’s higher citizenship and loyalty above country or political position (Philippians 3:17-21). Does this mean a believer shouldn’t have loyalty to his country or exhibit any form of nationalism? Does it mean we should go as far as the late Christian philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, thought Christians should go and remove all national symbols from their churches? No. Paul used his Roman citizenship to his advantage, but never let it compromise his heavenly citizenship. Christians are never expected to abandon their nationalism so long as it doesn’t compromise their Christianity.

Christians and Political Issues

So what is a Christian to do, not vote, ignore political issues, and abandon American society to non-Christians? No. I believe there is a simple solution that allows the believer to exercise his earthly citizenship without allowing partisanship to infiltrate the church.

There are a number of issues today which the Bible directly and clearly addresses and about which there should be no question for the Christian (e.g. abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage – to name a few). When the Bible speaks clearly and forthrightly about something that has become a political issue, we vote according to Scriptural truth regardless of political affiliation. 

When it is a matter about which there is no clear biblical teaching, we need to afford one another the grace commensurate with Christian liberty. Christians may very well differ economically, culturally, and socially on non-biblical political issues. We should allow, with humble grace, those philosophical differences as the “spice of life” within the Church. We should allow them, yes, but not allow them to divide us. I may be in favor of one politician's or party's economic agenda and you may whole-heartedly disagree. What does that mean for us? It means we disagree on an economic philosophy, nothing more. It should not become a point of contention, division, or test of fidelity to Christ or the Bible. You are free to have your opinions on such a matter and I expect you to afford me the same liberty.

Conclusion

I think Merrit has some very salient points; particularly when it comes to the solicitation of the evangelical right for political gain. When Merritt says that the language being used today by conservative evangelicals “creates an unbiblical political litmus test for spiritual fidelity” he is correct. It is wholly unbiblical to associate one’s political party preference with being Christian. Furthermore, doing so runs the risk of alienating non-Christians from the gospel of Christ. The answer? Keep politics out of both pulpit and pew – unless the issue is clearly addressed by Scripture, then proclaim the truth with zeal and affection and let the truth, not the truth-proclaimer, offend if it must.

On a personal note - I believe "politicing" that goes beyond the clear teaching of Scripture has no place in the Church; especially during corporate worship times or organized church gatherings - it defeats the purpose of the gathering in the first place. We are not here to change national politics. We are here to affect the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ!