Posts Tagged ‘Christians’

Mar
28
2012

5 Attitudes for Christians in a Political Season

So another Presidential campaign season is upon us and Christians are engaged at all levels and on both sides of most debates. As a recovering political junkie, I realize how easily my time, my energy, my attitudes can get sucked into the life force of Presidential politics. So here are a few attitudes that we might consider as we engage:

1) An Attitude of Prayerfulness for the Politicians (1 Timothy 2:2)

This is hardest to do and least obeyed command when it comes to our political leaders. Its easier to fire off a nasty email/tweet/Facebook post/blog instead of actually committing to daily prayer for our leaders, whether we agree with them or not. I must admit that I’m consistently having to repent of this disobedience.

We should pray for President Obama and his wife and children during a grueling season. We should pray for the Republican opponent and his family during a grueling season. We should pray for Congressman and Governors and Mayors and local school board officials, etc. And we should not just pray with a grudging, “These guys are idiots, boy do they need prayer” mentality, but genuinely pray with concern for their well-being.

2) An Attitude of Humility (James 4:6)

Politics feeds sharp debate among people who disagree on issues. These are deeply held beliefs. On certain issues, we feel, genuinely, that we are right and must stand up. But we can and should do that with humility. We’re not right on every single argument. We don’t know everything. Despite how we talk, we probably wouldn’t do better than the guys in office. We’re sinners like they are. And God loves them as much as He loves us. So as we engage, let’s try to avoid the kind of chest-beating rhetoric that tempts those who seek power.

3) An Attitude of Faith (2 Timothy 1:7)

Let’s be honest. Much of what drives elections is fear. Both sides gin up fear about the other side. All you have to do is read some of the mailers you get. “Did you know that my opponent was in favor of ___ or was supported by ___ or hangs out with ___? Vote for me. I don’t do that.” Politics is not so much about the good qualities of the candiate, its about “driving up the negatives” of the other guy. Fear also drives much of the programming on cable news programs and talk radio.

That’s not to belittle or dismiss the real fears we might have. There is evil in the world. There are concerns about our nation and about the world. But Christians can’t and shouldn’t be driven by fear, but by confidence in the sovereignty of God. Christians should live with an eye to the next world, Heaven. That doesn’t mean we should ignore injustice or do nothing, but we shouldn’t be driven by fear, but by mission.

4) An Attitude of Love (Ephesians 4:15)

It’s all too tempting to engage politics and check our Christianity at the door. We justify snarkiness and insults and half-truths and gossip about folks with whom we disagree. We justify it because “we’re on the right side.” But even if we are on the right side of an issue, that doesn’t give us the right to treat our enemies with disdain. I’m amazed at the stuff Christians post on Facebook about people with whom they disagree. This isn’t right. We can be stand firm in our beliefs and still show respect. Jesus’s ministry was all about the balance of grace and truth (John 1:14). In fact, I think we gain an audience when we demonstrate clear, logical, fair, reasoned arguments, rather than falling prey to the nasty rhetoric that passes for political dialog these days.

5) An Attitude of Justice (Micah 6:8)

What should drive our political engagement is the mission of God. This means we should be discerning about issues we engage, rather than accepting the entire matrix of issues offered by “our side.” Christians should fight for justice, whether that’s defending the unborn, defending the poor, defending righteousness. We may differ on solutions, etc, but we should be more engaged in issues than personalities. Sometimes we approach politics like we do American Idol. We grew to love our favorite personality and defend them to the death, at the expense of the issues. Or we oppose a politician to the death, dismissing the areas where they may be good on some issues. Perhaps Christians should take a more ala carte approach, speaking out on a few important issues and voting accordingly.

In Summary: Above all, Christians must first remember that they are Christians, that even in the rough-and-tumble arena of politics, we represent Christ.

Mar
02
2012

Friday Five: Amy Black


Dr. Amy Black is Associate Professor of Political Science and chair of the department of Politics & International Relations at Wheaton College (IL). Amy is a specialist in American Government, her research interests include religion and politics and Congress. Her latest books include Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics and her forthcoming release: Honoring God in Red and Blue, Approaching Politics with Humility, Grace, and Reason. 

In Beyond Left and Right, you sought to transcend the back and forth partisanship we experience in our political system. But critics might say that partisanship is an essential part of American democracy. Is it?

American government would be possible without political parties; indeed, the framers thought they had created a party-less system.  But I do think political parties enhance American democracy in very important ways.  Parties serve many constructive purposes such as helping unify like-minded individuals, helping organize and simplify elections, and helping structure governing institutions.

Partisanship, on the other hand, refers to strong devotion to party, even to the point of bias. Almost all elected officials identify with one party or the other, and many voters do as well.  But connection to or identification with a party can become an end in and of itself.  I find this type of extreme partisanship problematic, especially for followers of Christ.  Our devotion belongs to Christ and Christ alone.

Some such as James Davidson Hunter advocate a “time out” on politics, so perhaps the church and reset itself. What is your opinion of this approach?

I don’t support this approach as a one-size-fits-all answer, but I do think that some people and organizations might benefit from following Hunter’s advice.  We have seen ministries and groups get so engrossed in trying to “change the world” through political advocacy that they have lost focus and grounding on their true purpose in serving the gospel.  Hunter’s proposal that we stop trying so hard to change the world and focus our efforts on serving as a faithful presence is a useful corrective.

But many will find that they are called to political engagement as a means of loving God and neighbor, and I see this as a worthy and important calling.  I believe our political system would benefit greatly if more Christians invested in it.

Your recent article in Christianity Today and your forthcoming book, Honoring God in Red and Blue, Approaching Politics with Humility, Grace, and Reason urges Christians not to disengage, but to watch the tone in which they engage. Why is this so important?

Much contemporary political debate is nasty, scornful, and arrogant. Distortion is commonplace. Many people are turned off from political engagement because it seems so ugly, and who can blame them?  Politics need not be about derision or scoring points at someone else’s expense, but it usually is.

The way in which we engage in politics is a reflection of our character. We are called to exhibit the fruits of the spirit in all our interactions, in politics as in every other area of life.

Given the tone of contemporary politics, imagine the witness we could have for Christ if we as Christians made deliberate decisions to pattern another way of political engagement. What a way to show forth the light!

Seems politics is the one arena where Christians are so quick to check their Christianity at the door, especially when it comes to gossip, slander, and demonizing. Why do you think this is?

I do see many examples of Christians who seem to forget (or ignore) their witness as soon as they start talking about politics. Paul contrasts the fruits of the spirit with the acts of the flesh. The list Paul exhorts us to avoid includes “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy.” Those terms are apt descriptors of much of what we see in everyday politics.

Some people apply the logic that the ends justify the means. That is, they will argue that they are pursuing godly ends and that it is necessary to play by the rules of the game to succeed in politics. The problem, from my perspective, is that we cannot and should not separate ends and means. We are not called to success; we are called to faithfulness.

Others appear to get caught up in the drama and excitement and mirror the behaviors that they see around them. This is a common temptation in politics as in so many other areas of our life.

Do you think the millennial generation approaches politics differently than their parents and if so, how?

Analysis of survey data suggests a few ways in which millennials approach politics differently than their parents.  For one, members of the younger generation are more likely to be concerned about a broader range of issues than their parents. They also have a very different relationship with technology. As you would expect, millennials are much more likely to follow politics and current events through social media and less likely to read newspapers than their parents. This differential in use of media sources may also lead to differences in their understanding of and interaction with political issues.

Nov
14
2011

God Doesn’t Care if It Plays in Peoria

I’ve been watching some of the news reports regarding the accusations made against Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain. I have no idea if the charges against him or true. Only God, Herman Cain, and the accusers do. When the first accuser came out I thought perhaps it might be a political dirty trick, an opposing campaign or a media campaign against a conservative candidate. But now that there has been five women who have stepped forward, it’s a bit hard for me to believe that this is some coordinated attack. Perhaps there’s a pattern here.

What’s most distressing to me is the way that Mr. Cain, a man I admired and was actually considering voting for, has handled this whole situation. He’s shown no remorse. He’s blamed other candidates. Then he’s blamed the media. Now, to be fair, I think he has a right to defend himself and his honor, especially if the charges are not true. But Cain has swun wildly and has not appeared contrite or professional.

Furthermore, Mr. Cain has used his campaign to dig up dirt on the accusers and then spread that to the media. This is dirty politics. Smear the accuser and muddy the waters. It’s what Bill Clinton did when facing his own charges. I think this is reprehensible for a man who not only calls himself a lifelong follower of Christ, but is an ordained minister. Smearing the other person, even if the charges against Cain are false, is the lowest form of politics.

But perhaps the most distressing part of this whole sordid affair is how I’ve heard conservatives, many Christians, discuss this about Cain. Some have defended him and have blamed it on the “lamestream media” as if any negative reports against a conservative candidate are automatically an attack. Or they’ve given the whole, “if this was a Democrat . . . .” defense. This is lame. We all know that if a liberal had these problems, the conservative media would have no problem rushing to judgement against him or her.

Others have written off Mr. Cain. They say they are glad this was exposed in the primary because if it came out in the general election, it would sink the candidate and give President Obama a win. The discussion has all centered around, “How will this play among woman?”, “How will this play in a Republican primary in Iowa?” Those are valid discussions, but I hear no one saying, “Maybe what Mr. Cain did was wrong. Maybe he’s not a man of character. Maybe this should disqualify him from being President.” There is such an impulse to protect our own. Partisanship is so blind.

As followers of Christ, our first concern should not be “How will this play in Peoria?”, but “Is this right and good and does it please God?” Christians are supposed to be the people of character, right? Haven’t we hammered liberals for not having character?

I think there is a lesson here not simply about politics, but life. We live in a world seemingly run by PR and spin. So many of our decisions are based on “What will people think?” or “How does it poll?” or “How will this play?” There is some merit to knowing where people are so you can effectively lead. But our first impulse should be do what is good and right, not what will win affections.

Nov
04
2011

Friday Five: Dave Zimmerman


Today I’m privileged to feature my friend, Dave Zimmerman. Dave is longtime editor for Intervarsity Press and a columnist at Burnside Writers Collective. His books include Deliver Us from Me-Ville and the devotional compilation My Heart–Christ’s Home Through the Year.

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Oct
26
2011

Your Best Testimony: Not Being a Jerk

Sometimes the best opportunity to demonstrate the gospel to those who do not know Jesus is quite simply not being a jerk when you have the opportunity. I’m talking about those times when you’ve been wronged and most people would excuse you for flipping your lid and taking your frustrations out on the next person in your path.

In the last two weeks I’ve had a few such opportunities. I want to mention one in particular. Last week I went to Sam’s Club to sign up for a church membership card so that it would be easier for us to make purchases for church events. It’s something the volunteer staff here has been bugging me about for a while. It was something I needed to get done, but kept putting off. Finally I decided to go over there. I was anticipating filling out some paperwork, getting a picture taken, and having a card within a few minutes. Since we are a nonprofit I assumed it might take a little bit longer than normal, but should be a fairly easy process in this age of technology.

I was wrong. I won’t bore you with the details, but Jay (my assistant) and I ended up standing at the counter for two hours on one day and two hours the next day while the associates at Sams attempted to get us a membership card. I was floored at how complicated it seemed. To be fair, their computer system didn’t seem to be working right. But it also seemed like the associates weren’t totally up to speed on how to process a nonprofit membership application.

So, this took four hours of time over two days–totally unexpected. It cost Jay and I precious working hours. I could have flipped out, demanded free stuff, write an angry letter. Part of me wanted to do this. But all along I kept thinking to myself, “Dan, they know you’re a church. They know you are a pastor.” I realized that it is these moments that often define our Christian testimony. Everyone expects us to fly off the handle and most people think we should. But we don’t. Why?

The reason is that we should act differently and be under control, because we know the Lord and His Spirit controls us. I’m not sure if the Sam’s associates noticed this or not, but I hope that perhaps they might see something different in me. Maybe that provokes them to ask questions about Christianity. Maybe not.

I’m not saying that this should be the sum total of our evangelism. But moments where we could get angry but don’t provide great platforms. Perhaps you’re flight is delayed and you’re the only person at the ticket counter not swearing, demanding, or being angry. Perhaps the auto shop messed up your car and unexpectedly you don’t fly into a rage and at like a jerk. Perhaps you are playing basketball and instead of reacting angrily to a hard foul you brush it off and keep going. Perhaps you won’t berate the waitress when she brings you mashed potatoes instead of curly fries.

I’m not saying you should be a wimp and should never assert yourself. I’m not saying you shouldn’t firmly demand better treatment or justice if a company or a person trampled them. But there is a difference in being firm and being a jerk. Sadly, we Christians fail this test. I know I do. I can think of situations where I was hoping someone would never find out I’m a believer, because my selfish behavior tainted the gospel. I’ve talked with customer service people I know and sadly they say Christians can be among the toughest people to deal with.

Perhaps it would be helpful for us to remember that we are Christians all the time not just at church. And every opportunity is an opportunity for the world to see what the gospel looks like in real life. And maybe, just maybe, God allows us to be wronged for the express purpose of demonstrating His love in a surprising and unexpected way, a way so shocking it causes people to ask what is different about us. 

I heard someone once say that the world won’t sit up and take notice when we say “Praise the Lord” in good times. They notice when we say “Praise the Lord” in times of distress.

Sometimes not being a jerk is the best opportunity for gospel witness.

Sep
30
2011

Friday Five: Bradley Wright

How often have you heard, in the last year, some alarming statistics that “prove” young kids are sprinting away from the church, that Christianity in the West will die in the next generation, and that the world thinks Christians are idiots? If so, then today’s Friday Five will challenge some of those statistical assumptions.

I’m delighted to interview Bradley R.E. Wright. Brad Wright is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut where he studies American Christianity. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, where he was trained in social psychology and criminology. He has authored twenty scholarly articles and two books: Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites… and Other Lies You’ve Been Told (2010), and Upside: Surprising Good News about the State of Our World (2011). Hypocrites won the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award for Christianity and Culture.

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Sep
12
2011

Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Jerks

We’ve been studying the book of James on Sunday Mornings at Gages Lake. We just finished the third chapter on Sunday. The last section of this chapter gives a very specific definition of spiritual maturity. James tells us what it isn’t and what it is. I found it interesting that James was very specific in saying that someone who is always controversial, whose life is followed continually with strife–this is not a spiritual man. Now, of course, the gospel is inherently controversial. And even the most winsome Christians will encounter opposition at sometime in their lives. But a man or woman of God should not be someone who intentionally stirs the pot in order to bring attention to themselves. This, Jams says, is not wisdom from above, but a produce of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Now isn’t that interesting? Because often Christians spin their behavior as being spiritual. Leaders who browbeat people into submission and routinely step on others, this is papered over as “good, firm leadership.” Really? James says, “No, this isn’t wisdom. This is sin.” Some Christians literally feel they have the spiritual gift of controversy.

What is wisdom? Among the attributes James describes in chapter three is reasonableness. Sometimes translations render it “moderation” or “restraint.” It’s the simple attitude of being nice and easy to get along with. Now you’d think this would be natural for Christians, but James, a first-century pastor, knew it wasn’t. Actually sometimes it is Christians who are the crankiest people. They are not fun to be with. Sometimes Christian leaders are the people you’d least want to be around.

James says that this shouldn’t be. Another trait he mentions is easy to be intreated. This means something like, “willing to change” or “open to the ideas of others.” Yes, you read that right. Christians, while being firm and stedfast on the fundamentals, should be generally deferential to other’s ideas and opinions. Again, this doesn’t always characterize us, does it?

Sometimes we pride ourselves on “I haven’t changed in all my years of ministry.” Really? Not sure that’s a feature of godly wisdom? We should change. We should adapt. We should grow. The only One who shouldn’t change is God. We’re human. We don’t know everything and don’t always have a corner on the truth.

There is much more in this section of James. But I was deeply convicted that as a man of God, my life should be characterized by peace, by love, by selflessness, by authenticity, by genuine kindness. These aren’t mere “options’, but fruits of the Spirit’s work within me.

It also has shown me that some of the traits we spin as being good are really sin. That we cover over selfishness and excuse our jerkiness as being something good when it is not. We’d be better to humbly admit our sin, let God’s grace flow in, and realize that true wisdom is reflected in something countercultural, the Gospel lived out in daily life.

At the end of the day, most of us probably have more fake wisdom in us than real wisdom. But we can being the road to maturity by stopping the spin. Saying, “That’s just my personality” or “That’s how I lead” is a copout, an unwillingness to let the Lord change us.

Because real wisdom is gentle, peaceable, kind and selfless. Not jerky.

 

Dec
20
2010

Hung Up on Santa

Today I read Jon Acuff’s usual great mix of humor and wisdom in his post on the Santa Dilemma that usually affects Christians at Christmas. It got me thinking about our often misguided thinking on Christmas.

I as fortunate enough to grow up in a Christian home that didn’t get all freaked out by Santa and the Easter Bunny. My parents were practical. They figured that Santa was harmless and that there was no lasting faith damage to having their kids love an adorable fat read bearded guy. Just like Mickey Mouse, the Hardy Boys, and other “pretend” was okay.

But, growing up in Churchworld, we did know people who got hysterical at Christmas. To the point where wrapping gifts in Santa paper brought a 1-hour lecture on how the culture was stealing Christmas from us. I thought it was weird that people of faith thought a few smart guys at Macy’s could knock God off of His plan of redemption, ruin the Incarnation, and render life hopeless.

But genuinely concerned parents do agonize over Santa Claus sometimes. I think it is born out of concern, but it is slightly misguided, in my view. Because even the “real” Christmas story as we tell it in church and in our storybooks and dramas is not all the way true. For instance, we don’t really know there were three wise men. We don’t even know for sure that there was an innkeeper and a wife and a daughter peaking from behind the door. We just assume that in our imagination of the story. Now granted, those are lesser leaps than Santa. But in each case, we’ve taken the grand story of Christmas and added in our own imagination.

And I think that’s really okay. God isn’t not against creativity and imagination. I’m thinking that, if in our own way we find new ways to tell the wonderful mystery of the incarnation, God becoming man, God is pleased.

And like Jon Acuff has beautifully written, we don’t apply the “I-can’t-lie-to-my-kids” rule to other things. We allow them to pretend about Mickey and the Tooth Fairy and Cinderella. My five-year-old daughter, Grace, lives in a virtual world of princesses all the time. And yet she has no problem accepting Jesus, the Bible, and the real story of Christmas as real. And she’s five.

I just think we tend over think things spiritually.

The bottom line is this: Is Santa the real story of Christmas? No. But is it a bad story, an evil one, one that we have to shield our kids from? No. In fact, there are redeeming elements of the Santa story we can use to teach them about the importance of giving.

And, I always say this to skiddish parents. If all your kids ever knew about Christmas was Santa, that would be tragic. But if you’re sharing the story of Jesus with your kids every Christmas. If they are hearing it year-round and you’re doing your best to model it and disciple it, a fat man in a red suit won’t damage their faith.

Actually, when I talk to churched kids who have run away from God, Santa never comes up. What often comes up is crippling legalism, lack of inauthentic faith in the people they looked up to, and deep sin struggles they needed help with.

So on Christmas, let’s not be Scrooges and anti-Santa zealots. Let’s enjoy the warmth and wonder of this season, a time when even the secular world stops to gaze at a a baby in a manger, the God-man.