Politics & Faith
By: Carissa Gould
I grew up in a Christian home in the middle of America. I was taught to have strong convictions and told what those convictions should be. This emphasis on absolute Biblical truth transferred to how I viewed political issues. In every political debate my brain would unfairly sort people and their opinions:
There is a correct party and a wrong party, a good party and an evil party, a party God is for and a party that is against God.
In May 2016, I first questioned this right and wrong view of politics. I was a freshman in high school, and I learned one of my Bible camp counselors was a Democrat. My jaw dropped at the speed of sound and did not come back up for at least forty-five seconds. Now, freshman Carissa was quite the gossip. After learning this earth-shattering news, I immediately walked over to a group of my friends to spill the tea. “Y’all are not gonna believe it,” I said, “but Sam plans on voting for Hilary Clinton in November.” My friends were just as shocked as I was. All but one of them. He turned to me and said, “Yeah? And what’s the big deal? It’s not like who you vote for defines the extent of your faith.”
This shock started me on the path of nuance. What a fun word. Nuance. I wish I could explain what it means to me , but the truth is I do not even know half the time – it is hard to articulate, and Merriam Webster is letting me down big time. The way I see it, nuance brings some fluidity to conversations; instead of coming into a debate already decided what I want to believe, pursuing nuance allows me to change and have an open mind. Because the truth is no singular political party has a monopoly on God’s heart.
No political party – socialist, capitalist, liberal, or conservative – is perfectly in tune with God’s desires. Far too often, however, we as Christians, living in a two-party system in America, demonize the side with which we do not identify. In 2008 and in 2016, some went as far as to call leaders of an opposing party “the Antichrist.” This is strong language for a people who are meant to find their ultimate citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20). David French puts it like this: “Your commitment to Christ is permanent, eternal. Your commitment to a party or a politician is transient, ephemeral.”
Christ calls His followers to hold ourselves and our people to account. We cannot blindly praise or blame one side, because neither are executing the Kingdom of God. Oftentimes in Christian circles, the call not to judge others in Matthew 7 is misunderstood. Not judging others doesn’t mean Christ followers should not hold each other to account. We are commanded to first take the plank out of our own eye then remove the speck in our brother’s eye. Holding your own political camp to account takes being bold, patient, and shrewd, but if we want to be people of love, we must do it.
However, we are not the ultimate judge, rather Christians too are subject to our own human error. Because of this, it is necessary that we give our brothers, sisters, and neighbors the benefit of the doubt. It is appalling how quickly Christians claim to know the inner workings of others’ thoughts and motives. Accusations are thrown on all sides.
“Environmentalists do not actually believe pollution is destroying our planet, they just made this up because they hate big business.”
“Pro-life people do not actually believe children in utero have inherent value, they just want to control women’s bodies.”
We can disagree with a person’s policies without assuming they are actively trying to serve their own selfish ambitions or obtain more power. As 1 Corinthians 2:11a says, “No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit...” The next time someone in one of our classes says something we disagree with, what if instead of silently judging or audibly debating them in class, we ask them to grab coffee to hear more about why they believe what they believe? This would be an incredible way to practice the way of Jesus. As we do so, we should approach the conversation with a humble heart posture. We should not come in with the alternative motive of converting them to our side of the aisle. Proverbs 18:2 says it best, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Let us not strive to be like the fool, but instead listen more than we speak – not just listen to respond, but listen to understand.
Another downfall that occurs when we as Christians approach our politics with devotion to a certain party is we are unable to celebrate good accomplished by “the other side.” NYU Spiritual Life Advisor Trevor Agatsuma has a great word to say about this:
For years I struggled with jealousy whenever I would hear of something good happening in another ministry. I knew this was absurd because I should celebrate any victory for God’s Kingdom. Thankfully through confession and prayer God changed my heart. Jealousy is still there but it doesn’t have the grip on me it once did.
Can we celebrate when someone in another political camp does something good? This can go against our natural instinct. But the Apostle Paul shares how some preach Christ for pure motives while others out of selfish ambition. “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).
Being at NYU, chances are that you are not a big fan of our current President. But can you rejoice for the help that human trafficking victims receive after Trump signed legislation to fight trafficking (ABC article on this). As is not uncommon, Trump was self-aggrandizing when presenting this legislation saying, "we have signed more legislation on human trafficking than any other administration has ever even thought about." Can we rejoice like the Apostle Paul if good is done even with selfish ambition?
It is a polarizing time to be living and studying in America. Whether the candidate you voted for won or not, now is not the time to gloat or to condemn, but to reconcile ourselves to each other and to Christ. The results of this election have real life implications for people on all sides.
A tweet by Ayanna Zariya recently went viral and said this, “Just because our sweet Jesus is sitting on the throne, doesn't mean His presence there minimizes the perceived and actual threats that are looming for many in this country surrounding the election.” Christ followers, people who claim to pursue justice the way Jesus did, should not undermine this fact. But let us not have the operating system of our lives be “what can I do to move my political agenda forward?” but “what can I do to bring the reality of God’s Kingdom love to those around me?” because I often find that answers to the latter can be found on all sides of the political spectrum.
2016 Carissa never would have fathomed that someone could be a fervent follower of Christ and politically left leaning. Since my junior year, I have found myself claiming the title conservative, liberal, moderate, and centrist. Some might say I am wishy washy or convictionless because of this constant change in political opinions. I think, however, that this discontent with every worldly title I have proclaimed over myself is more indicative of a deep discontent with the state of our world. Unfortunately, it took me years to realize that no partisan identity seems to sit well in my consciousness because no politician will bring the Kingdom that my innermost being desires.