There have been a lot of talks lately about Christianity and politics. After Trump got impeached, a prominent Christian publication, Christianity Today, published an article calling for his removal from office. A few days later, another Christian publication, The Christian Post, published their own article reprimanding Christianity Today for their position. Red Letter Christians is another Christian organization that has made statements about impeachment and the potential war with Iran.
For a while the hashtag: #christiansagainsttrump was trending on Twitter. There were many people who rejoiced to see Christians speaking out against Trump and others who felt betrayed. Some people felt that it was far too late, while others said that there has been a group of Christians who have spoken out against Trump since the beginning.
I have my own opinions about all of these articles and how Christianity and politics intersect. I have had several conversations with Christians, non-Christians, and former Christians on these topics for many years, long before these articles came out. As a result of these conversations, there are a couple of things that I would like to say to the members of each of those groups.
Please feel free to use the social media links at the bottom of this page, or email me directly (am.willoughby.blog@gmail.com), if you want to talk about any of the concepts that I mentioned here. I love having respectful conversations about Christianity and politics, so I am open to continuing the discussion.
To Christians- No Matter Your Political Affiliation
There are Christians who fall on all sides of the political spectrum. I am confident that my political opinions reflect my religious beliefs, but I can also see how people who believe the opposite of me could feel the same way. I do not hate Christians who have different political opinions than myself, and I am open to having respectful conversations about those differences. No president is or has been perfect.
No matter your political affiliation, the question that we all must ask ourselves is how do our political opinions affect our testimony, witness, and reputation as Christians. Our faith should be evident in everything we do, including our political actions.
The problem is that there is no one right answer. My beliefs on social and economic justice reflect what I believe about Jesus, but many people would say that the opposite is true. You could cite Bible verses that support your point, and I can quote different verses that support mine.
It is necessary to recognize that all of us are a little wrong and a little right. Neither of the parties in American politics aligns perfectly with the Jesus of the Bible. So, when you express your political opinions, make sure that you address the areas that you have had to compromise. Non-believers will be more willing to listen to our testimony if we can at least admit that we do not have it all figured out.
I know that some of you are already thinking, “Jesus is King, no matter who is President.” You are not wrong, but that belief still affects your testimony. I believe that God is sovereign over the entire world, but the non-believers that I witness to do not believe that. Please do not use God’s sovereignty as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility for your political beliefs.
Being apolitical does not absolve you. Silence and ignorance do nothing to help those in need. People in power rely on good people to stay silent while they take advantage of the oppressed and needy. Being apolitical makes non-Christians think that you do not care. The only reason that you have the ability to remain apolitical is that you have privilege as a member of the majority.
As Christians, it is our job to live the best we can as a follower of Christ. It is not our job to support a particular political party over another. I know that it is not easy, but we have to take responsibility for the way that we represent Christ to the world. Our politics are a part of that, whether we like it or not.
To Non-Christians
Please do not make assumptions about Christianity or Christians based on what you see in the media. The term “evangelicals” is not representative of all Christians, and it is a poorly-defined concept anyway. I have done some research on the name because I do not like being lumped in with Evangelicals.
Here are a few resources that explain how poorly defined the term is. It is important to note that there is a difference between Black and White evangelicals, especially when it comes to their political views.
Instead of believing in those generalizations, talk to people you know who profess to be Christian and ask them about their political opinions. Challenge them to explain how their political views align with their religious beliefs. If you really want to know what we believe, read the Bible. But you should also study hermeneutics and recognize that interpretation is not always the same.
Please give us grace. Christians are not perfect people. We are Christian because we recognize our own failings and our need for someone to save us from ourselves and our sins. We are doing our best to figure out life, who we are, and what we believe.
The Christian life is all about sanctification, or the process of becoming more holy. That process varies depending on where we are in our faith journey. We are all still unholy, sinful people who are just trying to do the best that we can to figure out the best way to live, one day, one moment, one prayer at a time. Give us a chance to change our minds, to learn new things, and to become better.
We are not all the same. The Westboro Baptist Church and the Klan are both “Christian” organizations, but they do not represent the majority of Christians. In the same way, ISIS does not represent all Muslims. Please do not judge all Christians because of the acts of a few.
You are loved. There are a lot of messages of hate that come from the mouths of people who claim to follow Jesus, but as far as I understand Jesus, his was a message of love and acceptance. So, I apologize on behalf of the Christians who have told you that you are unworthy or unloved. God loves you because that is who God is, whether you believe in him or not.
To Former Christians or Christians Who Are Struggling with Doubt
You are loved, and you are still a part of the community. If you have left the faith because people judged you or shamed you, I am sorry. It is not our place to judge. You should not have to give up your community of friends just because your beliefs change.
It is okay to doubt and to question things. The Church (as a whole) has made many mistakes, and I understand if those mistakes have disillusioned you. I am sorry for how those mistakes may have affected you.
Your Christian friends will still probably talk to you about God, and they will probably invite you to services. It is because we care about you, and we are doing our best to show that to you. We are sorry if it comes off as pressure, judgment, or non-acceptance of your new life. Again, we are all just doing our best to figure this stuff out.
The door is always open, and you can come back to the faith whenever you want, but you do not have to. You are loved and accepted either way.