I have had multiple conversations over the last couple of weeks where someone has said ‘we don’t need to talk about politics or religion’. I have had more than one conversation recently where someone abruptly changed the subject when our conversation skirted a little too close to one of those unfortunate topics. The truly puzzling thing is…these people are for the most part family, or close friends, and I would count all of them brothers and sisters in Christ.
So why is it so hard for Spiritual-kin to talk about religion and politics with people who we believe that we are going to spend eternity with?
The Bible (obviously) is filled with discourse about religion. Both the Old and New Testaments contain a multitude of teachings regarding how to deal with other peoples, nations, governments, and beliefs. The Epistles of the New Testament are almost exclusively written to specific churches in specific locations facing specific issues about how to live out the Christian life in political contexts. Many of the recipients of Paul’s letters would have lived in areas that were occupied territories of the Roman Empire. They teach us how to live with unbelievers, how to live as slaves, how to respond to attack and how to love those around us. The Bible is filled with instructions that should influence our faith and our politics.
But we say ‘don’t talk about that.”
I believe that we have allowed our individualism to muddy the waters of our faith. The idea of a “personal relationship” has become so strong that we can no longer make blanket statements about the community of the Church (without being criticized from the offended). With the exception of Titus and Timothy, every epistle is addressed to an entire church or people group. The writers repeatedly call out those who are in error and encourage the readers to follow the example that the writers are setting for them.
But people need instruction. They need to be told how to apply Biblical texts to current events. And if our Pastors are not going to disciple their congregations, then they will look to someone else to tell them what to do, or to simply support their own (perhaps) un-biblical beliefs. Today, countless millions of those who claim the name of Christ are being discipled by Fox News, CNN, Twitter, and Facebook. Their search for someone to tell them the truth about faith, life, and politics has opened the door for those who preach a different gospel to disciple them.
I read a story recently about a wedding venue who refused to allow a mixed race couple to marry at their facility. The owners cited their ‘Christian faith’ as their justification. After they received a considerable number of negative comments on their Facebook page, they decided to talk to their Pastor about it. They were apparently quite surprised to find that the Bible doesn’t actually prohibit people from different races from marrying. They said that they had been taught this growing up and had believed it as the truth.
I believe that our fear of teaching people what the Bible actually says about mankind is the reason that slavery persisted for so long in this country. And its the reason that we had to have courts and politicians desegregate our schools. And its the reason that we are so divided over issues that the Bible that we claim to believe is so clear on.
If we don’t rise up and teach the truth now about the issues of today we will find ourselves in a much deeper division and crisis in the future. And if we are not in a place to teach, then at least be willing to have the hard conversations.
And use the Bible as your source, and nothing else. If I can’t justify my position with scripture only, then I might need to rethink my position. Especially if the teaching of the Bible seems to contradict me.
Blessings.
Running A Little Late 