Political Discourse

by Zeke Flores

Political discourse is like the Las Vegas of Christianity; it's an environment in which we think our sin is excused. Christians feel free to go wild, fear is perpetuated, strife is intentional, and hate is winked at. The thing is, what happens in this “Vegas” doesn’t stay there; it ripples far outward.

There’s got to be a better way.

Instead of explaining away slander as righteous indignation or impugning the motives of strangers, perhaps we can approach the political process differently, adopting a more noble perspective. Can Christians have political opinions? Sure. Ought they to involve themselves in the betterment of our nation? Of course. But instead of merely engaging in the political conversation, Christians can elevate it.

First, realize that people of all political stripes are Christians. They love the Lord, and they want to be more like Him. Perhaps some ascribe to a particular political platform because that’s what they were raised as, or because that’s what they believed before they became Christ’s disciples. Maybe they’ll change their political views as they mature in Christ. But they’re still Christians and they don’t love their country or their Lord any more -or less- than anyone else simply because they’re of a different political bent.

Second, remember that no party's platform is perfect. The policies of your party’s platform were laid by imperfect men who probably were not New Testament Christians. And those platforms are elastic; they change from time to time as party leaders think they need to be updated. Don’t canonize your party’s platform. And stop saying, “This is the most important election in our nation’s history.” It’s not.

Finally, remember that Scripture exhorts us to pray for our nation's leaders, to respect those in authority, and to submit to those authorities (I Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17). If first-century Christians could respect the idea of governmental authority and hold up a ruthless dictator in prayer, then we should be able to pray for all the men and women— imperfect people —who help rule our country, no matter what political philosophy we ascribe to.

Love our country, care deeply about its political process, and involve yourself in it if you feel motivated to, but never forget that this world, with its political set-ups and policies, is not our home. We belong to a heavenly country; let’s act like it.

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (I Timothy 2:1-3).