Who knows what Jesus would do in today’s political climate?
Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker
“WWJD?” was asked by Al Sharpton and Doug Pagitt in a column in TIME (on-line, August 27, 2020). Pagitt is an evangelical political activist who leads a congregation in Minneapolis called “Solomon’s Porch.”
“Weighing whether or not to support Trump this year, white Christians should consider a simple, familiar question: What would Jesus do?
“This election is a test of faith–much like the one in the gospel story of Jesus’ temptation. Jesus does not give in to Satan’s promises, choosing integrity over power. Trump’s promise of white Christian supremacy is a similar test.”
Truth be told, I’m pretty well versed in political conversations and I’ve never heard Mr. Trump promise anything close to the notion of “white Christian supremacy” in the U.S. Most Evangelical Christians would distance themselves from him if he ever did, and I’d be one of the first to do so. The authors must give evidence of this charge or be guilty of bearing false witness.
And truth be told, I confess I have little idea what view Jesus would take on many modern issues and it is presumptuous of Christians to think they know. I know Jesus’ teachings shape the character of his followers (for example, see The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12). But it is a leap to take his teachings and apply them to politics and government policies and officials. Certainly Jesus doesn’t teach us how to cast our ballots. Nor is how we vote in the upcoming presidential election a “test of faith” on whether we will follow Jesus or not.
I do know that Jesus’ company of followers (“the 12 disciples”) included an anti-Roman zealot named Simon and a tax collector for Rome named Matthew. Now that’s quite a political spread and may have led to some heated discussion among the disciples. But maybe Jesus kept them quiet—political persuasions shouldn’t interfere with following Jesus anyway.
Here are five points on Jesus’ teaching that I think are relevant to today’s political situation:
- Jesus taught that all human authority is given by God.
This is a great theme in the Book of Daniel: “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:25). When he was on trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, Jesus said to him, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:11).
Our citizenship enables us to select leaders and affect government in many ways. But ultimately God is in charge. Wins and losses are in God’s hands. This must not cause us to slack off, but it should encourage us.
- Jesus taught about our duties to both the Kingdom of God and the particular “kingdom of man” to which we belong.
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Luke 20:25).
Jesus taught that God’s Kingdom and Caesar’s realm are distinct and we have duties to both. Jesus’ kingdom is unlike any kingdom on earth. “My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus told Pilate (John 18:36).
By its nature, God’s kingdom is all-inclusive whereas Caesar’s realm is abridged. To Caesar we give limited loyalty; to God we give complete loyalty.
We can and should fulfill limited duties as members of a particular “kingdom of man.” In sum, the New Testament teaches us: Pray for your rulers, pay your taxes, obey and show honor to rulers of both lesser and greater authority (see Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-5; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
The New Testament tells followers of Jesus how to live under authoritarian government. The right to vote would have never entered the authors’ minds.
How do we “give to Caesar” today as we live in a participative democracy? Churches can take positions and expend effort on moral issues, register voters, encourage members to write legislators and other political leaders on issues, and encourage their members to get involved in worthy causes and to vote (but not tell them for whom to vote).
The church should use its voice to encourage CIVILITY, for it is severely lacking in today’s supercharged political atmosphere. Both LEFT and RIGHT are failing at CIVILITY, from the president and others at the top on down.
- Jesus taught us the priority of Kingdom Values.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33).
We must always maintain a distinction between the ultimate issues of the Kingdom of God and the penultimate possibilities of the political process. The latter are worthwhile but not perfect. They are secondary and not primary. They need the church’s voice and attention but must not get top billing.
Our churches must teach on morally laden issues and proposals like good or bad legislation or initiatives. But be sure that the biblical “connectedness” is made clear. Of course we must be sensitive to the congregation and visitors in such matters, but avoiding the topics should not be considered an option.
- Jesus taught his followers to be “people of peace.”
My denomination was known in years gone by as German Baptists or (horrors!) “Dunkards” (referring to how they baptized)—a “peace church.” It had a simple meetinghouse where the Battle of Antietam was fought during the Civil War. Antietam was the war’s bloodiest battle. The reconstructed church structure stands today as a witness to a Christian group committed to peacemaking.
Jesus taught us The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), which should mark our political discourse. Be poor in spirit (not proud or haughty or arrogant in spirit). Be mournful and meek. Hunger and thirst after righteousness. Be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. Rejoice in persecution. Those who show these qualities become salt to the world and a light that cannot be hidden.
Today’s political atmosphere creates political enemies. One Seattle council member boasts, “I don’t have any Republican friends.” Sad commentary. Well, if they’re not your friends, how should political enemiesbe treated?
Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:44, 46-47)
- Jesus taught that he would build his church through his disciples who are obeying his Great Commission in the world.
The mission of the church is not necessarily to transform governments. The church’s mission is to create new followers (disciples) of Jesus throughout all the world. This is done by baptizing people who confess Jesus and, very important, teaching them to obey all that Jesus has taught us (the Gospel of Matthew, itself, is a “training manual”). Read Matthew 16:18 and 28:18-20.
As the church obeys and expands in this world, the church will find itself intertwined with cultures and governments. There is no way to avoid this. We must engage these with care and determination. We don’t have the luxury of withdrawal from culture or the political process. Jesus’ followers are loyal citizens, but “when push comes to shove” we take our stands.
Our churches can’t escape politics but we can rise above it. Our message is not political. We come together to uplift God’s Kingdom and hear from Jesus. The unity of the church must transcend all political and secular alliances.
Some Christians don’t like to hear me say this, but the church, in order to be Jesus’ church and a witness to the world, must be the place where a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat can join hands and sing,
We are one in the bond of love…
Let us join our hand that the world will know,
We are one in the bond of love.
– Otis Skillings (1971)