Politics

The Problem with Liberals

We can't stop talking to one another, no matter who wins the election. I grew up in rural North Carolina, a bright young liberal dot in a fundamentalist Baptist community that hasn’t elected a Democrat to local office in four decades. Many conserv... Read More...

Saving the Soul of Our Democracy

Was John Lewis heretically pegged as a modern-day Jesus or honored for his great efforts toward racial justice? Through observation of Lewis' life and legacy, author Jordan Reed poses an even deeper question: Can politicians and public servants truly embody Christ's life and teachings? Do we, with the combined voices of church and state, sing of peace? ... Read More...

Disagreeing Without Damaging

The question in our relationships is not whether or not we will disagree, but when it will happen, and what it will be about. Despite the inevitability of differing opinions these arguments are often mishandled. This week, missionary Tori Rasmussen shares a few principles of how to engage with others concerning topics we can't agree on, for civility's sake.... Read More...

How Then Shall We Address Impeachment?

We should expect our politicians to extend a loving heart and concern for those who need a lifting hand. In our call for caring politicians, we as a community participate through our political commitments in lifting-up the whole of society. In this week’s post, Dr. Zachary Tackett, church history and theology professor at Southeastern University, discusses the modern impeachment relevance in today’s political climate and how we as believers might react in response. ... Read More...

ReReading Romans 13

Many Christians in our society are drawn to “law and order,” thinking that such a decisive and forceful approach will address problems of social and political corruption and confusion. Romans 13 is often misused as justification for this perception. In this week’s article, Dr. Chris Green, theology professor at Southeastern University, discusses several findings from Romans 13 commonly misunderstood and advocates that Christians believe not in law and order, but in the Spirit.... Read More...

A Vision for a Humble Christian Candidate

The revelation of Jesus Christ as a human was an ultimate act of humility as He set aside His rights and privileges to live and be like us. As Christians, we aspire to follow this standard of Christ’s humility and incorporate it into all areas of our life; however, the political world seems to always lack being one of them. In this week's discussion, Jackson Hirsch, theology student at Southeastern University, elaborates on his perspective of how a heart that is willing to truly take root in humility could change the way that Christian candidates engage with the political world.... Read More...

A Kinder and Gentler Nation: A Tribute to George H. W. Bush

At his inauguration in 1989, Bush implored that Americans have a responsibility “to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world.” In this week's discussion, Dr. Zack Tackett reminisces the impact of George H.W. Bush's presidency on our nation and dispenses a powerful parallel to how the church may learn from his gentle, political posture.... Read More...

Peacemaking in a Politically Divided System

Justice and peacemaking, historically to modern day, tread on thin balances within America's politically bisected government. Associating as Republican or Democrat has become a label now pinned to one's identity. Throughout this week's discussion, Dr. Tackett, Theology Professor at Southeastern University provides three practical solutions that inform Christ-followers on implementing Truth between current national divisions. ... Read More...

I’m Moving to Canada

“I’m moving to Canada,” say many in response to the choices that they have had and the results they fear from the elections. Few mean it. Some leave the voting booth grumbling words similar to a friend of mine, “I voted today, but I don’t feel good about it.” This week, as the final ballots are cast, we engage an alternative way to look at political realities.... Read More...

America’s Religion and the Democratic Election

Political theology, or sometimes called public theology, is a form of theological analysis that engages the social sphere from a theological perspective. One of the issues that has become evident in the last fifty years or so is that Christianity is not the only religion in town. Although America is a multi-religious nation, there is another quasi-religious dimension that sacralizes the democratic political system. That religion is what social theorists call civil religion. Have we, as Christ-followers, made the paradigm of civil religion the main expression of our Christianity in America? ... Read More...

Christ’s Peace Amidst Politics

A heightened sense of anxiety over the outcome of the election appears a reasonable response given the high stakes involved. As American believers, we have long enjoyed the privilege of power and influence, a rare opportunity afforded to Christians throughout history. How should followers of Christ continue to deal with the anxiety of losing the illusion of political control? ... Read More...

Christians, Politics, and Thoughts on Obedience

Many American Christian leaders recognize their influence and have turned to the Bible to find support to persuade their followers in their voting and action. However, is this what we are called to do as pastors (and as the church)? Understanding our impact through our commitment to following Christ may offer a more productive way to influence our nation. ... Read More...

The Idolatry of a Political Messiah

Through the reading of the story of the 5,000 in John 6 we see that using Jesus to usher in the kingdom that we want leads to idolatrous ideology. The 5,000's idolatry was redefining sonship by political means, making Jesus into a messiah they wanted, the very same ideology that we can fall into today. The integrity of the life of Christ lies in the means of his life, not just the goal. How he brings in the kingdom affects the very nature of the kingdom itself! How do we as the church understand and know Jesus without making his Messiahship and His Kingdom into what we want?... Read More...